Experts call fat deposits in the waist area a cortisol tummy, since the main reason for its appearance is the stress hormone.
fitness psychologist, fitness trainer.
Belly fat is not always the result of a sedentary lifestyle or excess calories. Weight gain for no apparent reason may be associated with endocrine disruption. Hormonal disruptions reduce the rate of metabolic processes, fat is deposited in the abdomen. In this case, the arms and legs look as usual, but the abdomen is rounded and widens at the bottom. Fat deposits are often seen in women on the neck and face.
What is the reason
Cortisol-like obesity is caused by high doses of cortisol, an adrenal hormone. It regulates carbohydrate metabolism in the body. If more cortisol is produced than necessary, a lot of glucose accumulates in the body, and the body’s energy reserves increase. But if energy is not consumed, then it is stored in fat, which is deposited on the stomach.
A second name for obesity caused by high levels of cortisol is a stressed belly. Cortisol, in addition to preserving the body’s energy resources, takes part in the development of stress reactions. Anxiety and anxiety, insufficient sleep and rest, even regular stimulation of activity through caffeine leads to an increase in cortisol. When this situation continues for a long time, fat deposits are deposited on the abdomen, in the navel and lower abdomen, obesity develops.
Danger
In rare cases, a cortisol abdomen is associated with the fact that initially a person has an increased content of cortisol in the blood. Although the presence of a genetic disease and predisposition also occurs. However, the formation of a cortisol abdomen is almost always a consequence of an improper lifestyle. The disease progresses, as the stress hormone, cortisol, provokes an increase in appetite, there is a constant desire to eat something sweet and fat.
Obesity due to an increased concentration of the stress hormone cortisol, leads to negative consequences: the development of osteoporosis, fragility of bones; weakness and gradual decrease in muscle mass; a decrease in insulin production and the development of type II diabetes mellitus; high blood pressure and the development of cardiovascular pathologies; weakening of general immunity; mental disorders (from irritability to acute depressive conditions).
How to get rid
The most important thing is to bring hormones back to normal. If an elevated cortisol content is detected, the doctor will suggest medication and diet. In acute cases, hormone therapy is prescribed, based on the reasons for the increase in the stress hormone. Hormonal drugs have many side effects and are only prescribed in extreme cases and in very limited doses. Some non-hormonal blocker drugs have the function of blocking cortisol. However, the abuse of blockers can lead to hormonal imbalance in the body, which will trigger the development of many concomitant diseases.
Drug-free treatment for cortisol obesity aims to improve overall adrenal function. If you change your eating habits, then you can significantly equalize the cortisol surges.
The following recommendations will help normalize cortisol levels:
a sufficient content of protein foods in the daily diet;
introducing fatty wild fish for omega-3 fats;
exclusion of foods with a high glycemic index (sugar-containing foods, white flour);
introduction of foods rich in vitamin C into the diet;
replacement of common salt with sea salt;
limiting the amount of caffeinated drinks;
a sufficient amount of clean water.
Risk zone
Cortisol is a stress hormone. With your lifestyle and attitude towards it, you can provoke disorders in the work of the adrenal glands and a violation of the production of cortisol, which means a slowdown in metabolic processes and, as a result, create a cortisol belly, that is, obesity. Those who do not move enough during the day and do not exercise are also at risk.