Health & Fitness

What is The Connection Between Cortisol And Weight Gain

Cortisol And Weight Gain

Recent studies have identified a link between cortisol and weight gain, but exactly what is cortisol and what does it do?

What is Cortisol Hormone and what it does?

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands as part of the body’s daily hormonal cycle. It helps regulate blood pressure and cardiovascular function, as well as the body’s use of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

Why is Cortisol called the stress hormone?

Cortisol is sometimes called the “stress hormone” because cortisol levels increase in response to any physical, mental, or emotional stress. This can include common daily stresses such as job pressures or being stuck in traffic, as well as stress caused by a low calorie or improper diet, intense exercise, lack of sleep, infection, or injury.

When cortisol levels increase, it causes blood sugar and blood pressure levels to increase so that the body has more energy to handle a stressful situation.

There are many hormones in our bodies which in the proper amounts maintain good health, but in excess or deficiency have negative effects or contribute to health problems.

Cortisol is no different. High levels of cortisol can lead to high blood sugar, high blood pressure, increased abdominal fat, and loss of muscle tissue.

How to bring down the Cortisol levels?

Since cortisol levels getting up with stress, one of the best ways to maintain a good healthy level of cortisol is to bring down the stress and lessen the impact of stress that can’t be avoided.

Trying to avoid stress completely is not possible, and it’s actually not desirable. Stress is an important part of life because it triggers positive adaptations and growth.

It’s continuous stress, and the resulting continuous high levels of cortisol, that you want to avoid.

Are Cortisol reducing products and supplements Safe?

What about using one of those heavily advertised cortisol-reducing supplements that claim to be the key to weight loss? Unfortunately, these products are not backed by scientific evidence.

In the past The Federal Trade Commission charged the marketers of two popular products, CortiSlim and CortiStress, with making false and unsubstantiated claims that their products can cause weight loss.

If you’re going to use any supplements, use ones that have been shown by studies to be effective at reducing cortisol levels, such as Vitamin C, Glutamine (an amino acid), and Phosphatidylserine (a substance derived from soy lecithin).

You might also want to consider supplements that are reputed to have stress-relieving effects, .visit popular sites learn more about any of these supplements.

 

Conclusion

Cortisol is an important hormone and part of the body’s natural stress response.

High levels of cortisol can increase abdominal fat, but cortisol is only one contributing factor to increased body fat and weight gain, not the primary cause.

An excess of calories from too much food and too little physical activity is the main cause of increased body fat and weight gain.

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See also Most Effective Way To Lose Weight .

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