Re: Cortisol and Weight Gain

[Guest guest]

Isn't there something about low DHEA causing excess abdominal fat? Does that

mean that if I start taking cortisol, I might gain weight? What if I take it

with DHEA?

Cortisol and Weight Gain

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> Cortisol's role in weight gain still up for debate

> http://www.azcentral

> com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/0329qaweil0405.html#

> Mar. 29, 2005 12:00 AM

> QUESTION: There has been lots of information lately about elevated levels

of

> the hormone cortisol in women and the possible tie to weight gain. Is it

> true that coffee can lead to elevated cortisol levels and, therefore,

> stimulate unwanted weight gain?

>

> ANSWER: Cortisol is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands in response

to

> stress, and recent research does suggest that there may be a tie between

> cortisol levels in women and the accumulation of excess weight in the

> abdominal area.

>

> A study at Yale University in 2000 compared stress reactions among women

who

> had a high waist-to-hip ratio (because their fat tended to be in the

belly)

> with those among women with a low waist-to-hip ratio (indicating more fat

> storage in the hips than the waist).

>

> The researchers noted that diseases caused by high levels of cortisol

> (Cushing's syndrome is one) are characterized by excessive amounts of fat

in

> the abdominal area, an unhealthy distribution that increases the risk of

> high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. In addition to the link

to

> weight gain, elevated cortisol levels can have adverse effects on the

immune

> system, memory and sugar metabolism.

>

> In the Yale study, women were given tests (involving puzzles and speech

> designed to stimulate stress) to see how they responded. The researchers

> found that women with a high waist-to-hip ratio, whether they were

> overweight or slim, secreted more cortisol under stress and also reported

> more stress in their daily lives than women with low waist-to-hip ratios.

> Results of the study were published in the September-October 2000 issue of

> Psychosomatic Medicine.

>

> As far as caffeine is concerned, a study published in the July-August 1998

> issue of Psychosomatic Medicine showed that caffeine can elevate levels of

> cortisol and another stress hormone, ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone),

in

> men prone to high blood pressure as well as in men at low risk for this

> disease. That's all we know. I doubt that caffeine has much impact on

weight

> gain as a result of any effect on cortisol levels.

>

> Although these findings are interesting, it would be a mistake to blame

all

> weight gain on cortisol. Heredity plays a role, too, as well as such

> lifestyle factors as smoking, alcohol consumption and lack of exercise. If

> you want to decrease the impact of stress in your life, which may result

in

> lower cortisol levels, be sure to get regular exercise and sufficient

sleep.

> Incorporate meditation and relaxation techniques into your daily routine.

> Breathing exercises also will help you be calm.

> http://www.azcentral

> com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/0329qaweil0405.html#

>

> Weil, M.D., is a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine and

is

> a professor of medicine and the founder and director of the Program in

> Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Weil is also

a

> bestselling author, monthly columnist for Prevention magazine, and editor

of

> Self Healing Newsletter. Go to www.DrWeil.com for more information.

>

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