For years, it was believed that losing weight simply meant consuming fewer calories than you burn. However, modern science and clinical practice show that the human body is not a simple mathematical equation. If it were really that easy, excess weight wouldn’t be such a widespread problem around the globe. Spanish experts claim that the key to understanding metabolism lies not in counting calories, but in the complex system of hormonal signals.
Elisa Blázquez, clinical dietitian and head of nutrition at the Madrid center IQtra Medicina Avanzada, emphasizes that our bodies respond not to numbers in a food diary, but to biochemical commands. It is hormones that determine what to do with the energy we get: burn it, store it as fat reserves, trigger hunger, or signal satiety.
According to the expert, there are four main hormones that play a crucial role in weight regulation. The first is leptin, responsible for the feeling of fullness. When its function is impaired, the brain does not receive the “stop” signal, and a person continues to feel hungry even after eating. The second is insulin, which helps cells absorb energy. Constantly elevated insulin levels prompt the body to store fat more actively. The third is cortisol, known as the stress hormone. During chronic stress, its concentration rises and the body, interpreting this as a danger signal, switches to “resource conservation” mode, retaining fat as a strategic reserve. Finally, there are thyroid hormones, which control metabolic rate. A deficiency in these hormones slows metabolism, causing the body to burn less energy at rest.
When a malfunction occurs in this complex system, the body can enter what is known as “lockdown mode.” In this state, as Blasques explains, weight stops decreasing even if a person follows a strict diet and exercises regularly. The body simply ignores the calorie deficit because hormonal signals prompt it to hold on to its reserves. This is a protective mechanism that cannot be overcome by simply restricting food intake.
Therefore, effective weight loss requires a comprehensive approach aimed at restoring hormonal balance. It’s not just a diet, but a complete lifestyle overhaul. The specialist recommends focusing on food quality by enriching your diet with nutrients, rather than simply cutting portions. Key components also include stress management, ensuring adequate sleep, and regular but moderate physical activity. In some cases, targeted supplementation may be necessary to correct deficiencies.
When all these elements are harmoniously combined, the body starts to read its internal signals properly again. The process of losing weight stops being an exhausting struggle and becomes a natural result of a healthy lifestyle. Elisa Blascas concludes that the real power to transform metabolism and restore health and balance lies in our everyday habits.
