Root Causes of Weight Gain After 35: Functional Medicine & Chiropractic Solutions

If you’ve noticed that your body seems to respond differently after age 35 — even though your diet and lifestyle haven’t changed — you’re not imagining it. Many of my patients in Missouri City, TX tell me, “I’m eating the same way I always have, but I’m gaining weight anyway.” This is real, and from my perspective as both a chiropractor and a functional medicine practitioner, weight gain in your mid-30s and beyond is rarely just about calories or willpower. It’s usually a sign that deeper changes are happening in your body, including shifts in hormones, inflammation, stress levels, gut health, and nervous system function.

One of the biggest contributors to midlife weight gain is hormonal transition, which often begins earlier than most people realize. Women can enter perimenopause in their late 30s, with progesterone often declining first. Men experience a gradual decrease in testosterone — roughly 1% per year after age 30. At the same time, thyroid hormone conversion from T4 to T3 can become less efficient due to stress, aging, or nutrient deficiencies. These hormonal shifts directly influence metabolism, fat storage, appetite, energy, and sleep quality. Even mild imbalances can lead to stubborn weight gain, particularly around the abdomen.

At Serenity Spine & Wellness, I use a functional nutrition approach to identify the root causes of these hormonal changes. I help support adrenal function, optimize hormone detoxification, and reduce inflammation so your metabolism can work efficiently again.

Another factor I see often in my patients is a gradual decline in metabolic flexibility. Adults lose between 3–8% of muscle mass per decade after age 30, which naturally slows metabolism since muscle tissue drives calorie burning. Muscle loss is often compounded by chronic stress, poor sleep, sedentary habits, blood sugar swings, and inflammation. Through functional medicine, I help stabilize blood sugar, optimize nutrition, and improve mitochondrial function. At the same time, chiropractic care helps improve your mobility, reduce pain, and correct posture, making it easier to stay active and maintain lean muscle mass.

Chronic stress is another major contributor to weight gain after 35. Adults between 35 and 55 report the highest stress levels, and elevated cortisol encourages the body to store fat in the abdominal area. It also disrupts thyroid function, digestion, sleep, and appetite regulation. I use functional medicine testing to assess adrenal function and implement strategies to support your body’s stress response. Chiropractic adjustments also help regulate the nervous system, reducing fight-or-flight dominance and promoting healthier metabolism.

Gut health also plays a critical role in weight management. As we age and stress accumulates, the gut microbiome shifts, affecting inflammation, insulin sensitivity, and hormone balance. Dysbiosis, leaky gut, food sensitivities, low digestive enzymes, and sluggish liver detoxification can all contribute to stubborn weight gain. At Serenity Spine & Wellness, I use functional medicine testing and personalized nutrition plans to restore gut health and support metabolic balance from the inside out.

Musculoskeletal issues can also contribute to midlife weight gain. By age 35–50, more than half of adults experience recurring neck, shoulder, or back pain, which can limit activity and increase inflammation and stress hormones. Chiropractic care helps restore proper alignment, reduce pain, improve posture, and optimize nervous system function — giving your body the foundation it needs for movement, exercise, and overall metabolic health.

This is why I emphasize an integrative, whole-person approach. Traditional solutions often focus solely on diet, exercise, or medications, but weight gain after 35 is multifactorial. At Serenity Spine & Wellness in Missouri City, TX, I combine functional medicine and chiropractic care to address sleep, hormones, inflammation, gut health, stress, nervous system balance, movement patterns, and environmental factors. Instead of telling you to “eat less and exercise more,” I focus on asking the right questions: Are your hormones communicating properly? Is inflammation blocking weight loss? Is your nervous system stuck in stress mode? Is pain preventing movement? Are you absorbing nutrients efficiently? When these underlying issues are resolved, weight loss becomes a natural by-product of restoring health.

By combining functional medicine testing, personalized nutrition, hormone and stress support, gut restoration, and targeted supplementation with chiropractic adjustments that improve mobility, reduce pain, and optimize nervous system function, I help my patients lose weight naturally, increase energy, improve mood, and regain vitality.

Weight gain after 35 is not a failure — it is your body communicating that something deeper is happening. By addressing the root causes through functional medicine and chiropractic care, my patients in Missouri City and Sienna, TX can achieve sustainable weight management and overall wellness.

Ready to Address the Root Causes of Your Weight Gain?

If you’re ready to take control of your health and restore your body’s natural balance, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Villar, DC, at Serenity Spine & Wellness. Let’s work together to uncover the root causes of your weight gain and create a personalized plan for lasting results.

Book Your Appointment Now by Calling 832-779-1954 or Visit www.serenityspineandwellness.com.