Cortisol and Weight Gain

Cortisol is a complex hormone that is endogenously produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress to help regulate a wide range of physiological effects. While cortisol is natural and imperative to our survival chronically high levels of cortisol hormone can lead to a multitude of health issues, including weight gain and the inability to lose weight. 

In this Kansas Functional Medicine blog post, we’ll explore the direct relationship between cortisol and weight gain,  including what cortisol is, how it affects the body, and what you can do to keep cortisol levels in check.

What is Cortisol?

Cortisol is a endogenous steroid hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands, which are located just above the kidneys. Cortisol is commonly referred to as the “stress hormone” because it is released in response to stress. 

When individuals experience stress, whether it’s physically or emotional induced, our bodies release cortisol as part of the “fight or flight” response. This response is a vital survival mechanism that helps prime the body to deal with a threat. Cortisol increases blood glucose levels, which provides the body with a burst of energy. 

While cortisol is essential for our survival in acute situations, chronically high levels of cortisol can lead to a variety of health problems.

How Cortisol Affects the Body

Cortisol affects the body in a variety of ways. Here are a few examples:

1. Cortisol increases blood sugar levels: As mentioned earlier, cortisol increases blood sugar levels, which provides the body with a burst of energy. However, chronically high levels of cortisol can lead to insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes.
2. Cortisol suppresses the immune system: While this is helpful in acute situations, chronic suppression of the immune system can lead to an increased risk of infections and other health problems.
3. Cortisol increases appetite: Cortisol has been shown to increase appetite, particularly for high-calorie, high-fat foods. This can lead to weight gain, especially when combined with chronically high cortisol levels.
4. Cortisol promotes fat storage: Cortisol has been shown to promote fat storage, particularly in the abdominal region. This can lead to an increased risk of health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.

Cortisol and Weight Gain

So, how does cortisol contribute to weight gain? There are a few ways:

1. Increased appetite: As mentioned earlier, cortisol has been shown to increase appetite, particularly for high-calorie, high-fat foods. When we eat more than we need, our bodies store the excess energy as fat.
2. Fat storage: Cortisol promotes fat storage, particularly in the abdominal region. This type of fat is known as visceral fat, and it has been linked to an increased risk of health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.
3. Insulin resistance: Chronically high levels of cortisol can lead to insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance can also lead to weight gain, as the body is less able to use glucose for energy, so it stores it as fat instead.
4. Disrupting sleep: Cortisol can disrupt sleep, which can lead to weight gain. Poor sleep has been linked to an increased risk of obesity, and cortisol can interfere with the body’s natural sleep cycle.

High Cortisol Treatment in Kansas

Functional Medicine is an excellent option for patients that have chronic stress leading to high cortisol levels. At EvoHealth Kansas Functional Medicine we have the ability to assess your cortisol levels and implement personalized treatment protocols to help you target and manage your chronic stress.