Stress and Weight Problems: The Stress Hormone Connection

Do you find yourself turning to food when you’re stressed out? Here’s why.

Stress isn’t just about what goes on in your mind. Stress triggers the release of chemicals into your body, chemicals also known as stress hormones.

Many studies show how cortisol, a potent stress hormone, increases your hunger for sugar and other fattening foods. So your stress unfortunately makes foods that lead to weight problems and obesity especially attractive. Not good. Excessive weight can leave you vulnerable to serious problems, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and anxiety and depression.

Here’s What Happens in a Nutshell

When you are stressed, your Stress Faucet™ turns on and cortisol leaks into your blood and seeps into your tissues. Your cortisol levels then stimulate a part of your brain to increase your appetite for high calorie foods. Women are especially vulnerable to cortisol driven weight problems.

Be careful of “infomercials” selling simplistic solutions to this problem, solutions such as supplements to prevent cortisol related weight gain. Claims made for such products are unsubstantiated, they have no science behind them—they are marketing hype.

The best way for you to prevent stress related weigh problems is to learn how to keep your Stress Faucet shut. Once you learn how to keep your cortisol levels down, your weight will come down too.

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 Dr. Jim Manganiello is an award winning clinical health psychologist, teacher and author. He’s a longtime innovator in the areas of stress, well-being, personal growth and “inner fitness”.

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