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Home / Fitness / Weight Loss
Cortisol Is A Natural Steroid Hormone
By:Jason Cox
It is produced by the adrenal gland cortex and is often referred to as a stress hormone. It is connected to various bodily functions. It is works with the immune system, where it regulates the amount of the bodys blood sugar. It is also directly related to liver function. Obviously, it is an important natural steroid hormone, but what does it have to do with losing weight. It helps to learn about how cortisol levels fluctuate over the course of the day.
For most people, cortisol levels are in a state of constant flux. However, there are certain patterns of production that can be noted in most people. Most people experience higher levels of cortisol in the early part of the day. As the day progresses, its levels tend to fall. Its levels are at their highest at the very beginning of the day, usually peaking in the first twenty to thirty minutes that a person is awake. These patterns are common, but there are also certain triggers that can make your cortisol level rise and fall throughout the course of the day.
The most prescient trigger is related to stress. It is, after all, a stress hormone. Whenever you feel stressed, your body releases a strong does of it. Cortisol is directly related to the famous fight or flight syndrome that one experiences when caught in a particularly stressful situation.
Why should you be concerned with its production in your own body if you are concerned with weight loss. Many health experts believe that there may be a connection between cortisol production and weight gain. The theory goes like this is every time you get stressed, your body releases a strong dose of cortisol. This extra cortisol production, in turn, causes you to gain weight. In addition to being a strong stress hormone, it is also related to fat building at the cellular level. Although it is necessary at the cellular level throughout the body, some theorize that it may also be responsible for creating extra fat cells throughout the body.
How exactly is it potentially responsible for production of fat cells in your body. When you get stressed, your body kicks into high gear. Your body senses the stress and the adrenal gland begins to produce extra cortisol. The cortisol that your body produces also causes sugar to be released into the bloodstream. Why is extra sugar released into the bloodstream. The extra blood sugar is released by the body as a way of preparing for the flight or fight syndrome. After all, it makes sense that your body needs more energy at this time. Recall a time in your life where you felt very stressed.
Maybe you could feel your heart pounding and felt your palms sweating before giving an important speech. Everyone has faced at least one such experience in his or her lifetime. Some people feel like they are constantly on high alert. Others have chronic feelings of restlessness and anxiety that is commonly termed nervous energy. It makes sense that our bodies need more energy at moments of high intensity stress. At moments like this, your body needs to release extra blood sugar and a shot of it. Sometimes it is released at times of physical intensity, such as during a hard workout session.
How does extra release of it and blood sugar into the bloodstream affect you if you are interested in weight loss. Extra cortisol release is not inherently a bad thing. But if you are prone to chronic stress, you may be prone to weight gain. When it is out of balance, such as during moments of intense stress, your body may release excessive cortisol. This, in turn, may cause the production of extra fat cells.
Much has been written about the dangers of chronic stress, and indeed it is a serious problem. Now, it appears that chronic stress may also be a culprit in excessive weight gain. What can you do if you believe your body may be producing too much cortisol, resulting in excessive, stress related weight gain. Available on the market today are special cortisol blockers that can help if you are indeed suffering from hormonal weight gain. Before taking such medications, you must consult with a medical professional to make sure that your weight problem is indeed hormonal in nature.
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Article keywords: Weight Loss, Cortisol, bloodstream
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com
For several years now, Jason has been reviewing hundreds of online products and services. Many consider his reviews to be very insightful and reliable. Visit his website dietandweightlossinfo.com
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