Cortisol is an essential hormone that our body needs to survive. When under stress, our body releases it to cope with the pressure we are subjected to that requires us to act fast—an impending deadline, a race we have to finish, being caught in a calamity or an emergency situation....
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Category Archives: Weight
Cortisol, Stress & Your Weight
The cortisol hormone serves many important functions in the body such as regulating blood sugar and blood pressure and providing energy for exercise and activity. Cortisol also plays a key role in the immunity and healing processes. [Greenspan F.S., Stewler G.J. (eds): Basic and Clinical Endocrinology. Appelton & Lange, Stamford,...
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Cortisol, Stress & Abdominal Fat
Cortisol causes bone cells to stop growing or to release calcium into the bloodstream. Excessive cortisol levels can lead to osteoporosis. Cortisol causes some fat cells to release their fats known as triglycerides, and causes other fat cells to absorb excess triglycerides. Fat Mobilization One effect of the stress response...
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Cortisol, Insulin & Obesity
Overview Excess glucose that is not used for physical activity circulates in the bloodstream. Muscle and other cells that do not need the glucose reject it, causing an increase in insulin production. This further de-sensitizes cells to insulin, causing insulin resistance. Excess glucose is excreted through the kidneys and can...
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Managing Stress: A Balancing Act
Overview We all have stress sometimes. For some people, it happens before having to speak in public. For other people, it might be before a first date. What causes stress for you may not be stressful for someone else. Sometimes stress is helpful – it can encourage you to meet...
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