Cortisol and belly fat: Are you suffering from cortisol belly fat? Stress-related weight gain is associated with many health risks. All the information you need is right here.
Cortisol belly fat: Understanding how Cortisol causes belly fat
Cortisol is a hormone released to help regulate blood sugar, attention levels and the immune system. It also affects weight gain by increasing appetite as well as storing fat in our abdomen.
This stress hormone is released when we feel under stress, and it can affect belly fat storage.
Corticosteroid regulates the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins in the body. It’s been found to be related to the accumulation of abdominal fat as people age, particularly for people who didn’t have high levels as they were growing up but who acquire them later in life by chronic over-eating or prolonged stress.
This means that every time you’re under psychological stress (and this doesn’t just mean physical activity), the stress hormone will be released from your body, leading to increased abdominal fat stores, if not excreted off promptly through exercise or sound sleep other things.
The cortisol and belly fat relationship is that high levels of cortisol are associated with abdominal obesity. This has been shown in weight-obsessed societies such as the United States, where Type II Diabetes, heart disease and other chronic diseases run rampant.
In these same study populations, it’s also common to find higher cortisol levels in those same people than in people from cultures that are less fixated on being thin or fit (in those cultures, the incidence of diabetes, heart disease, etc. is much lower).
These study findings suggest that one of the many mechanisms by which elevated blood sugar and body fat causes health problems might be increased production or release of a hormone called “cortisol” (also known as hydrocortisone) by the adrenal glands.
The Importance of Cortisol Belly Fat for Health
Cortisol belly fat is a type of abdominal obesity that appears on the stomach, hips, chest or upper back. Increased cortisol levels can cause it due to stress and anxiety disorders and medication side effects.
Cortisol belly fat can lead to many health problems such as heart disease and high blood pressure because it increases abdominal obesity-related inflammation, which has been linked with both cardiovascular disorders and diabetes. It also leads to a decreased ability to fight off infection and impaired cognition.
In addition, cortisol belly fat is linked with other problems such as reduced libido due to lack of sex hormone production in the adrenal gland, disrupted sleep patterns (cortisol increases during wake time) and depression.
The excess corticosteroid levels in the body caused by glucocorticoid use or tumors of the pituitary gland can also cause Cushing’s syndrome, leading to abdominal obesity. The fat gets thicker and more solid, covering the whole abdomen.
What are some of the drawbacks to high levels of cortisol?
As cortisol is a stress hormone, it’s unsurprising that people with higher levels tend to have psychological problems such as depression and anxiety. Higher cortisol in children can also lead to poor sleep patterns and school failure, leading to psychological problems.
Corticosteroid is also a fat-storage hormone, so, unsurprisingly, people with higher levels tend to have increased belly fat or weight gain. In addition, the fatty tissue may produce even more cortisol – creating an unhealthy cycle of excess cortisol production and heart disease risk factors like high blood sugar and high blood pressure.
Corticosteroid also raises aldosterone levels, a hormone that regulates the body’s salt and water balance, leading to increased thirst and urination. This can lead to dehydration for people who are already under stress due to high cortisol production or other factors like illness or surgery.
People with chronic illnesses like hypertension or heart disease are more likely to have chronically elevated cortisol levels.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of chronic stress, the best way to manage it is by finding healthy ways to cope with stressful situations and activities in your life.
Key Points: Cortisol’s unhealthy cycle includes increased belly fat, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and increased risk of diabetes.
In conclusion: Cortisol can be a significant contributor to belly fat, but there are ways you can manage it with diet, exercise, and stress management techniques.
