Is Stress Packing on the Pounds?
 Financial
worries. Relationship trouble. Even an impending deadline at
work. While they may seem commonplace in today’s fast-paced
world, these everyday emotional hurdles can cause a lack of energy,
fatigue and even depression, all of which can seriously get in
the way of your weight loss efforts.
The reason has to do with
the impact of stress on your adrenal glands—small endocrine
glands located on top of your kidneys.
The primary function of the adrenal glands is
to manage the body’s
response to stress by producing certain hormones to protect the
body. When faced with a stressful situation, your brain kicks
into high gear, stimulating the release of a hormone called CRH
(corticotrophin-releasing hormone), which then triggers the release
of another hormone called ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone).
ACTH is then carried by the blood to the adrenal glands, where
it sets off a series of important events.
First, the adrenal
glands will release the hormones epinephrine (or adrenaline)
and norepinephrine, which accelerate the heart rate and increase
the flow of blood to the muscles, lungs and brain. Almost immediately
your concentration becomes more focused, your reaction time increases,
and you experience a surge of strength and agility. This is often
referred to as the body’s “fight or flight” response:
a primal instinct to either stay and fight or flee a hazardous
situation.
The Role of Cortisol
Following the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine,
your adrenal glands secrete a third hormone called cortisol.
Cortisol works to calm the body down so that it can recover from
the stressful event, but it also elevates blood sugar levels.
Ideally, this chain reaction of hormonal signals will subside
once the event is over, but problems can occur when the anxiety
is prolonged. When this happens, stress hormones continue to
wash through the body in fairly high levels, constantly bombarding
the blood and tissues.
Over time, this chronic elevation of
cortisol prevents the brain from telling the body that there
is enough cortisol in the bloodstream. So rather than halting
the production of CRH and subsequent release of ACTH, the brain
continues to release increased amounts of the hormone, which
puts a significant strain on the adrenal glands. As they work
to maintain the high cortisol levels, they become unable to produce
a natural steroid called DHEA, which plays an important role
in keeping our hormones in check. The resulting lack of DHEA
can lead to numerous physical and mental issues, including fatigue,
depression, joint and muscle pain, and digestive difficulties.
Consistently high cortisol levels can also impede
healthy digestion and food metabolism, eventually leading to
insulin resistance, which can cause fat deposits to build up
in the body. As chronic stress continues, the overworked adrenal
glands become fatigued and stop producing cortisol, hence the
term adrenal fatigue. Lacking a healthy amount of cortisol, the
body is unable to perform important tasks like managing pain
and inflammation, regulating blood sugar and blood pressure,
and maintaining emotional stability. All of this can mean big
trouble for people who are trying to lose weight, as constant
stress on the adrenal glands and the resulting cortisol imbalance
can lead to inactivity, depression, fatigue and weight gain.
A Natural Solution
Simple diet and lifestyle
changes may help relieve stress and maintain healthy cortisol
levels, making it easier to lose weight and achieve healthy weight
management. Begin by following a well-balanced diet that includes
plenty of wholesome, high-fiber foods that can keep your hormones
in check and reduce the emotional eating that often accompanies
stressful situations. If possible, try to reduce your caffeine
intake, as its stimulant properties can intensify stress levels.
A nutritional supplement formulated to help regulate
cortisol and promote healthy adrenal function may also prove
beneficial when added to your daily diet. If possible, try to
choose an adrenal support formula that contains natural ingredients
such as Vitamin B5, ashwagandha root, banaba extract and the
amino acid L-theanine, all of which have been shown to support
healthy adrenal function.
Exercise and deep breathing are also
important factors to consider when you are trying to alleviate
stress. Clinical studies have proven that a daily dose of moderate
exercise (at least 30 minutes per day) has profound anti-stress
effects on the body, helping to boost your energy and clear your
mind. Likewise, deep breathing is one of the simplest, most effective
ways to reduce stress. |
