Insulin

• Insulin comes from the pancreas and plays an important role in regulating how the body reacts to food. Because its primary function is to lower the concentration of glucose in the blood, maintaining low levels of insulin allows the body to more easily burn fat. According to "Get the Sugar Out" by Dr. Ann Gittleman, insulin is mainly affected by simple sugars and carbohydrates, such as those found in breads, pasta and candy.
  
  

Thyroid

• The thyroid is a master hormone glad that regulates metabolism. It produces two key hormones, T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine), which assist the body in oxygen delivery. According to "Master Your Metabolism" by Dr. Christine Darwin and Jillian Michaels, foods that support thyroid function include deep sea fish (pacific salmon, herring, sardines and anchovies), mono-saturated fats (olive oils, avocados, hazelnuts and almonds), and selenium and zinc rich foods (Brazil nuts, wheat germ, whole grains, beef, lamb, pumpkin and sesame seeds).
  
  

Estrogen

• Smaller amounts of estrogen are very important for weight loss. Estrogen is extracted from the bloodstream via the liver and sent through the bile duct (small tube) into the intestinal tract. According to Michaels, fiber soaks up estrogen and carries it out with waste. Therefore, foods rich in fiber, such as fruits, vegetable, whole grains, apples, barley, beans, psyllium, lentils and oat bran, are essential for maximum fat burning.
  
  

Testosterone

• Testosterone is an important fat burning hormone that provides living beings with energy and builds muscle. According to Michaels, both men and women should seek to increase the amount of testosterone in their bodies. Therefore, for maximum fat burning, testosterone reducers such as alcohol, licorice, and low fat and low protein diets should be avoided.
  
  

Testosterone Features

• Testosterone is found in many foods. Elements of foods that are testosterone raisers are allicin (found in garlic and sliced onions), B vitamins (found in cereals, beans, meat, poultry and fish) and caffeine. According to Michaels, testosterone raisers are also located in niacin (found in dairy products, eggs, nuts, meat and poultry), vegetable fat (found in soybean, corn and sunflower oils) and zinc (found in proteins).