Inside peaceOuter strength
fren
Inside peaceOuter strength
Cortisol and weight gain… the connection between the two is closer than you might think. Weight gain can be more than just putting on a few pounds. It can lead to obesity and be potentially life-threatening.
This article explores how and why cortisol and weight gain are linked, and what you can do to lower stress and cortisol levels and lead a longer, healthier life.
An essential hormone, cortisol, produces good and bad effects on the body. One of the roles of this stress hormone is to increase blood sugar to help fuel the ‘fight or flight’ response we sometimes get when we’re scared or nervous.
Cortisol helps the body cope with stressful situations, producing an adrenaline rush that heightens the senses. Once the potential danger has passed the cortisol levels return to normal.
However, as the blood sugar increases with cortisol production so does the insulin the pancreas creates. In addition to the issue of cortisol and weight gain, excess cortisol can cause other health issues such as diabetes, heart disease and depression.
Your stress levels are likely to be high if you’re constantly worrying about things, whether work, home or other life issues. This causes an increase in the body’s cortisol production, and the constant stress means the levels don´t decrease.
An indirect result of the link between cortisol and weight gain is an increased appetite and cravings for calorie-rich food. You know the feeling – you’re fed up so you reach for a bar of chocolate or the biscuit barrel rather than choose a healthy piece of fruit. This happens due to cortisol’s impact on the hypothalamus, the area of the brain that manages hormones.
Consequently, the link between stress, cortisol and weight gain is clear.
Cortisol doesn´t directly cause weight gain but can act as a contributor due to physiological processes.
High cortisol and weight gain are linked as cortisol disrupts the body’s hormonal balance when experienced over a long period. This can lead to increased fat storage, especially around the abdomen.
GOOD TO KNOW
Abdominal fat is nicknamed ‘toxic fat’ as it contains toxic substances that can increase blood pressure and cause high cholesterol, which you may not be aware of until it’s too late.
Cortisol also encourages the breakdown of muscle protein into glucose, which the body converts to fat and stores if it is not used as an energy source. This explains why sedentary people are more likely to put on weight than those who exercise regularly.
Additionally, high cortisol impairs insulin sensitivity, promoting fat accumulation and increasing the likelihood of conditions such as type 2 diabetes. This highlights the importance of stress management, as elevated cortisol and weight gain can have significant consequences.
Are you wondering how to stop cortisol-linked weight gain? It’s important to combine regular exercise and healthy eating with a plan to reduce your cortisol levels. This will help you manage weight loss, feel calmer and alleviate stress.
Nutrition plays a critical role in managing cortisol levels and weight gain:
Lowering cortisol will help you minimize stress-induced eating and abdominal fat accumulation, therefore impacting cortisol hormone weight gain.
The link between high cortisol levels and weight gain is significant. Prolonged cortisol elevation can disrupt metabolism, impair insulin sensitivity, and contribute to poor sleep, creating a cycle that makes weight management challenging.
Addressing cortisol hormone weight gain is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and overall well-being.
Lactium®, also known by its main active component alpha-casozephine, is a natural bioactive peptide derived from milk and can help reduce stress and help manage high cortisol. It modulates the GABAergic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing the physiological effects of stress.
Clinical studies have also shown that Lactium® improves sleep quality and supports hormonal balance without causing sedation, making it ideal to help manage stress.
Lactium® offers an effective way to manage cortisol levels. By helping to calm you, it can prevent stress-induced eating and help with fat reduction. Combining Lactium® with practical lifestyle changes, such as stress management techniques, moderate exercise, balanced nutrition and improved sleep routines can lower cortisol levels and support weight loss.
This natural approach targets both the root causes and effects of high cortisol and weight gain.
For more information about how to incorporate Lactium® into your diet to manage cortisol and weight gain contact us.
For more information