Have you ever seen a television advertisement promoting a health product that suppresses cortisol for weight loss?
The ad claims that cortisol is a nasty little hormone that creates fat around your stomach and hips. By taking their weight-loss pill, your cortisol is suppressed and weight loss occurs – just like that.
But there’s a catch.
I don’t think that cortisol is a nasty little hormone, and by suppressing it, your body’s immune system can become seriously depressed and your hormone balance can be severely knocked out of balance.
Hormones And Weight Gain
I do agree that weight gain can be due to hormone imbalances, but before you suppress or alter any hormone, you should have a hormone analysis done so all of your hormone levels stay regulated and balanced synergistically.
Cortisol is a steroid hormone made in your adrenal glands, which are small glands adjacent to your kidneys. Cortisol is released during stress; hence is called the stress hormone.
But cortisol is more than a simple marker of stress levels – it is necessary for the function of almost every part of your body.
Did you know that cortisol is synthesized from cholesterol, and it acts through specific intracellular receptors to affect numerous physiologic systems including immune function, glucose counter regulation, vascular tone, and bone metabolism.
It’s a pretty important hormone, if you ask me.
Excess production of cortisol is on the rise in today’s fast-paced world because the stress level in modern society is on-going and increasing.
Some Solutions
So in turn, weight gain is also on the rise in part due to increasing stress. Suppressing cortisol by using drugs is neither the solution nor the answer to a hormonally-related weight gain.
The solutions are:
- decreasing stress,
- exercising regularly,
- eating correctly,
- balancing your entire hormonal system.
So, don’t blame unwanted weight gain on this very important hormone.
Weight Management
There are thousands of weight loss programs, foods, and dietary supplements on the market today. The truth is, most pharmaceutical controls of weight management fail because when our bodies store excess weight, an underlying imbalance or lifestyle issue is typically at the root – even if the root is hormonal.
That’s why it is important to target weight management using a whole body approach that addresses the wide variety of factors contributing to weight, such as:
- stress management,
- regular exercise,
- healthy eating routines and dietary habits.
If hormones are at the root of weight gain, then a hormone test is recommended and imbalances properly addressed.
Natural Stress Relievers
There are natural ways to reduce stress and to suppress cortisol and reduce the effects of stress.
- Magnolia Bark
- Epimedium
- Theanine
- Banaba leaf
- Green tea
- Beta-sitosterols
- Chromium
- Vanadium
But be cautious if using these products regularly, and maintain frequent hormonal checks if doing so.
Cortisol is NOT a nasty little hormone solely responsible for unwarranted weight around the abdomen. Cortisol is not the root issue to weight gain, but merely a reaction to a deeper cause, and suppressing normal cortisol levels can create immunity issues and adrenal burn-out.
Dig deeper than quick fixes and potent medications that temporarily patch weight gain. Address the root cause of weight gain for a long-term healthy solution.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only, and is educational in nature. The FDA may not have evaluated some of the statements. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please discuss with your own, qualified health care provider before adding supplements or making any changes to your dietary program.
Before taking vitamins, consult your doctor; pre-existing medical conditions or medications you are taking can affect how your body responds to multivitamins.
