Stress And Weight Gain Maintaining healthy eating habits can be quite difficult nowadays. And most people often have this problem when they are under a lot of stress. Some tend to binge eat to combat negative emotions and to cope with stress. Others simply have no time to prepare healthy meals and find grabbing fast foods more convenient. These are just some of the major reasons why a stressed-out lifestyle can cause weight gain.
Some researchers also discovered that weight gain in people under stress can also be partly attributed to the hormonal checks and balances system of our body. Cortisol, a hormone secreted by our adrenal glands, tends to be secreted in excess during times of psychological and physical stress. This can result in an increase in appetite and promote weight gain. Studies have also shown that an elevated cortisol level and stress tend to trigger deposition of fat in the abdominal area. But it should be noted that the amount of cortisol secretion in response to stress can vary from one person to another.
Interestingly, manufacturers of diet supplements have tried to capitalize on the findings of these studies. Their products claim to lower cortisol levels in the body to enhance weight loss. However, no independent studies have been published yet in credible medical journals to show that these supplements in fact result in weight loss or cortisol reduction. If you want to lower your cortisol levels which increase during periods of stress, exercising is still the best method to use. Plus, it also stimulates weight loss by burning calories the natural way.