Can Constant Worry Make You Fat?

We all know what stress is - we are faced with it every day. Whether we are dealing with financial difficulties, the ill health or loss of a loved one, relationship problems, hurtful events, or the nonstop demands of daily life, we are constantly under pressure. Our bodies are hardwired to react to any stress as an imminent threat or danger, and the natural response is to trigger what is known as the “fight-or-flight” mechanism.

Under normal circumstances, the relaxation response takes over after the perceived threat is gone and the body returns to its normal state. But for persons who are faced with constant stress - a frequent occurrence in our high-pressure world - the relaxation response does not happen frequently enough or last long enough, resulting in imbalances that can bring about lasting harm.

Medical researchers have revealed that one of the major factors in stress-related illness is cortisol, the so called “stress hormone.”

* What is cortisol?

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands (located above the kidneys). Cortisol helps to maintain the metabolism of sugar, plays a role in controlling the release of insulin, normalizes blood pressure, and functions as part of the immune response.

Cortisol is besides a vital part of the fight-or-flight response; it provides fast energy, increases memory function, strengthens the immune system, cuts the body’s sensitivity to pain, and helps to maintain homeostasis (the internal environment, including body temperature and blood pressure).

* How does cortisol cause weight increase?

While cortisol itself does not make you obese, high levels are known to result in the storage of fat in the ab area. Tummy fat (referred to in medical terms as central adiposity) and those delightful bulges we all know as “muffin tops” are proven to have numerous serious health consequences:

- Leptin Overproduction: Leptin is produced in adipose tissue (abdominal fat) in proportion to the amount of fat
existing. This hormone assists to normalize energy intake and expenditure; in simple terms, it controls the
appetite, and high levels can result in food cravings - an issue which in the end leads to the production of
even more abdominal fat.

- Insulin Resistance: Central adiposity causes resistance to insulin, the hormone which is responsible for
signaling the cells to metabolize energy. Insulin resistance, or pre-diabetes, leads to a combination of health
problems which are known collectively by the ominous-sounding term “metabolic syndrome.” Not a sickness
in itself, metabolic syndrome refers to a group of danger factors, including:

> excessive levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides;
> low levels of good (HDL) cholesterol;
> excessive blood pressure;
> extreme glucose levels in the blood.

All of these issues can in time lead to more serious health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

* How can I tell if I have high levels of cortisol?

If you think that stress may be contributing to your weight gain, an adrenal stress check can be administered to detect high cortisol levels.

* How can I counteract stress-related weight gain?

There are a number of steps you can take to avoid the accumulation of ab fat due to extra stress. These contain some lifestyle changes that are vital to lower your stress levels and support good health:

- Stick to a low-sugar diet to prevent the overproduction of insulin.
- Do exercises - this lowers your stress levels, promotes weight loss, and increases your endorphins, the feel-good
hormones.
- Practice a stress management technique, for example yoga, to promote relaxation and increase your ability to
deal with stress.
- Take a cortisol-lowering supplement. *Significant: do this ONLY after a saliva test has detected extreme
cortisol in your system!

With good stress management and an overall healthy routine, you can prevent the effects of stress on your waistline, as well as on your general sense of well-being.

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