Cortisol: The Hormone that Controls Your Weight

Usually, if you are on a healthy diet and exercise regularly, you should be able to keep your weight under control. Not if you have an excess of cortisol in your blood.

Cortisol is a hormone that has a high level when we are stressed or in danger. If this is not part of your daily routine and still have a high level of cortisol in your blood, this is the reason why you cannot lose weight.

A stressful life can cause excess cortisol, and it can cause serious health problems, like Cushing syndrome. In the worst-case scenario, the continuous production of high quantities of cortisol can lead to muscle deterioration, slow metabolism, and a lot of abdominal fat that wraps around the organs.

Here are some common symptoms of high cortisol:

• Constant depression and anxiety, even uncontrolled anger;
• Feeling tired all the time for no reason;
• Constant headaches;
• Hypertension and abnormal heartbeats;
• Chaotic eating habits, weight loss with no explanation;
• Slow digestion, constipation or diarrhea;
• Urinating frequently;
• Insomnia;
• Memory problems;
• The sense of defense is decreased;
• Wrinkles and facial hair;
• Inflammation on areas of your face;
• Fat on your neck.

Read also: What Is Your Type of Body Fat and How to Lose Weight

What to do to reduce the cortisol level:

• Avoid the following: coffee, alcohol, sugar, other sweeteners (aspartame), excess potassium.
• Consume more of the following:
  • Fish containing phosphatidylserines, such as mackerel, herring, eel.
  • Other foods that contain phenylalanine, such as chicken, eggs, brown rice, broccoli, pumpkin, watercress, and artichoke.
  • Include in your diet more tryptophan that you can get from soy, nuts, brown rice, eggs, and milk.
  • You also need vitamin B5 from almonds, salmon, dates, wheat, and oatmeal.
  • Don’t forget beans, sunflower seeds, and cereals.
• Have a fixed schedule for eating. It is ok to have five small meals every day. Skipping meals will increase the cortisol level.
• Keep the training schedule in a limit. Fifty minutes, three times a week is plenty. Too much exercise will cause cortisol increase, so take a break every other day.
• Rest for at least 8 hours every night. Sleep is perfect for body regeneration and slowing down its processes.
• If you are under too much stress, try meditation or relaxation techniques to get the edge off.
• Avoid energy drinks, caffeine, and alcohol.
• Try some natural anti-stress supplements: Rhodiola, vitamin C, ginseng, folic acid, vitamin A, magnesium, calcium, St. John’s wort, chamomile, oats…
• Don’t forget to drink water. Keeping hydrated will lower the cortisol level. Make a habit of drinking one glass of water when you wake up and one before going to sleep.