Is Stress Making You Fat?| March, 2010

Studies suggest that the more stress you’re under on a daily basis, the more likely you are to pack on extra weight. When we’re under chronic stress, the “stress hormone” known as cortisol is released in higher quantities. Excess cortisol slows the metabolism, making it harder for the body to convert calories into energy. Food cravings are another result of elevated stress and can also lead to weight gain, because people tend to crave salty, fatty and/or sugary foods when they’re stressed out. We also have to make sure that we get plenty of exercise and adequate rest. Regular exercise and a set sleep schedule help to recharge our bodies and reset various biological processes that are vital to our metabolism and overall function. In addition, cortisol can also wreak havoc the production of other hormones throughout the body, oftentimes leading to symptoms of hormonal imbalance such as fatigue, weight gain, low libido, night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings and depression.

BodyLogicMD’s bioidentical hormone doctors incorporate stress reduction techniques into their three-pronged approach to wellness, consisting of bioidentical hormone therapy (when necessary) and customized nutrition and fitness regimens to help women and men reduce stress, get healthy and live better, longer.

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