We always hear that calories count. That statement is everywhere, and has been out there for a very long time. Do calories count? Absolutely. But there's a bigger question that should be asked here: do calories count ALONE?
This proposed question is where things start getting interesting, because the answers it brings reveal a lot of explanations to oddities that occur during dieting and fat loss plans.
What Are Hormones: A Quick Biology Lesson
Hormones are the body's chemical messengers: they are molecules that produce signals in the body for governing cellular activities and actions. While hormones are mainly produced in special groups of cells called endocrine glands, it is important to know that the endocrine glands aren't the only group of specialized cells involved in their production. Hormones are transported throughout the body via the circulatory system (the bloodstream specifically for humans and many other multi-cell organisms). Their function is regulation, as they regulate various bodily processes and behavioural activities (including mood).
While slow to act and effect change, hormonal responses are powerful. Hormonal levels only require minor changes to have major impacts in the body: too low or too high a level can have serious consequences.
We'll be looking at some of the main hormones that play a role in body fat regulation.