When it comes to weight gain, it’s never quite as simple as just “calories in, calories out.” There’s a lot more going on, especially in terms of hormone levels. One hormone that Revive Medical Center wants you to know about is cortisol and how it can affect your body’s ability to
The Stress Hormone
Cortisol is often referred to as “the stress hormone” because it’s closely related to stress levels. Cortisol is produced in the adrenal glands and it truly is an essential hormone. You never want to completely be rid of cortisol, but too much isn’t a good thing. When your brain or your body are experiencing more stress, the adrenal glands produce more cortisol.
Cortisol and Overeating Go Hand in Hand
But what does that have to do with weight gain? Cortisol helps to regulate a lot of the functions within your body, like:
- Glucose and insulin responses
- Immune function
- Blood pressure regulation
- And more.
Because of how cortisol reacts within the body, higher levels of cortisol can prompt you to eat more than you might have if your cortisol levels were lower. The foods you choose might also tend more toward carbohydrates, particularly refined carbohydrates, rather than lean proteins and healthy fats. This can directly contribute to weight gain.
Make Stress Relief a Priority
One of the best ways you can get higher levels of cortisol under control is to prioritize stress relief for yourself. Many people find that mindfulness practices, like deep breathing, and meditation are helpful. Whatever helps you to manage your stress is something that you should consider adding to your regular routine.
Other Ways to Battle Cortisol
There are some other changes that you can make, too. Getting plenty of sleep is always helpful. Just a few hours of sleep deprivation can impair your abilities in the same way as alcohol can. Finding an exercise routine that you love doing can also help to manage cortisol levels. It’s also a good idea to opt for healthy fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats for the bulk of your dietary intake.
Want to find out what else might help you with your cortisol levels? Give us a call at Revive Medical Center in Lawrenceville, GA to set up an appointment. We’ll be happy to help you to determine what treatments and solutions can help you to get your cortisol levels under better control.
