The anabolic hormone estrogen promotes growth of cells and the storage of predominantly more fat tissue in women. Obesity increases circulating estrogen levels in the blood. Weight loss reduces estrogen levels in post-menopausal women. Estrogen acts at receptors throughout the body and is involved in regulating menstrual cycles, maintaining reproductive organs and skin thickness, regulating body temperature and controlling cholesterol production.
Estrogen Receptors and Anorexia
In rodents and primates, estrogen inhibits food intake. Increased estrogen at puberty correlates with the peak incidence of anorexia. In the 2002 issue of "Molecular Psychiatry," researchers at The Yorkshire Center for Eating Disorders, in Leeds, United Kingdom report one genetic variation at Estrogen Receptor-2 in the areas of the brain for regulating food intake occurs in 10 percent of anorexia patients. The authors point out that the small sample size of the study means further research is needed to confirm the study's findings.
Reduced Muscle
After menopause, metabolism slows and estrogen levels drops. In older women, reduced estrogen may speed up lean muscle loss and reduce strength. According to Dr. R. Roubenoff in the June 2000 issue of "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition," loss of more than 40 percent of lean body mass is fatal.
Metabolism and Ovarian Function
Thyroid hormones stimulate metabolism. Underactive or overactive thyroid activity interferes with the menstrual cycle. In the Feb. 11, 2010, issue of "Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology," researchers in Argentina showed that short-term changes in metabolism due to thyroid hormones altered sex hormone secretion, but did not affect overall fertility in rats.
Reduced Risk for Estrogen-dependent Cancers
An added benefit of weight loss is the reduced estrogen level. With reduced estrogen, the risk for breast cancer and other estrogen-dependent cancers decreases. In the July 2006 issue of "Journal of the American Medical Association," researchers found that 15 percent of breast cancer cases correlated with women gaining 2 kg of weight or more after age 18.
Reduced Gastroesophageal Reflux
In the July 2008 issue of "Gastroenterology," researchers at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, showed the administration of estrogen to post-menopausal woman increased gastroesophageal reflux symptoms such as heartburn and nausea by 4.2 percent compared with 3.1 percent with placebo. Weight loss decreased the symptoms, and weight gain increased the symptoms.
References
- "Molecular Psychiatry"; Variation in the ESR1 and ESR2 Genes and Genetic Susceptibility to Anorexia Nervosa; H. Eastwood, K.M.O. Brown, D. Markovic and L.F. Pieri; 2002
- "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Sarcopenia and Its Implications for the Elderly; R. Roubenoff; June 2000
- "Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology": Short-term Hypothyroidism Affects Ovarian Function
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Adult Weight Change and Risk of Postmenopausal Breast Cancer; A.H. Eliassen et al; July 2006
- "Gastroenterology"; Effects of Estrogen With and Without Progestin and Obesity on Symptomatic Gastroesophageal Reflux; Z. Zheng et al; July 2008
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