Stress, Weight Gain and
The Cortisol Connection
Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that assists you in regulating blood pressure, cardiovascular function, and your body's use of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Cortisol is also involved in such important functions as glucose metabolism, insulin release for blood sugar maintenance, and inflammatory response.
Cortisol research indicates that under normal circumstances, your body maintains or regulates your natural cortisol levels. For example, most healthy adults have a high cortisol level first thing in the morning and a low cortisol level at night. But when you're under stress, your body secretes more cortisol, which is why it is often called the “stress hormone.” Small increases of cortisol often produce positive side effects like improved memory, reduced sensitivity to pain, and rapid bursts of energy. But elevated cortisol levels, or excessive cortisol in the bloodstream, due to such things as prolonged or chronic stress, can cause side effects such as suppression of thyroid function, cognitive impairment, increased blood pressure, decreased bone density, and blood sugar |
imbalances. High levels of cortisol can also lower your immunity and inflammatory responses, as well as slow down the wound healing process.
Cortisol and stress can also impact your ability to shed unwanted body fat.
Research suggests that stressful situations and exposure to chronic stress are responsible for late night binging, excess fat storage, overeating, and food cravings. In high amounts, the hormone cortisol can make you thicker around the middle. And increased abdominal fat, which is sometimes called cortisol fat or cortisol belly fat, is associated with more serious health problems like heart attacks and strokes than unwanted fat found in other parts of your body.
To keep cortisol levels in check and under control, it’s important to activate your body’s relaxation response after a stressful experience, or following prolonged exposure to stressful situations. But controlling stress in today’s fast-paced work and family environments has become more challenging than ever. To support your efforts to de-stress, there’s CortiSlim. CortiSlim has the ability to help you manage stress-related weight gain, improve your metabolism, and support healthy blood sugar levels. Combine CortiSlim supplements with diet and exercise, and you’re on your way to living the CortiSlim Lifestyle. Get CortiSlim today and get back on track to a happier, healthier you.
--Sources & References: Wikipedia, Vitabase, About.com, Mayo Clinic |