Yes, Stress is making you Fat and Forgetful

“I’ve been so stressed lately”

“I am stretched too thin”

“I just don’t have bandwidth for this”

These statements sound familiar? Each one of you would have experienced stress at some point in life. The good thing about stress? That when its done, its over. The body resets itself. However if you find yourself under chronic stress due to an emotional or career related situation, chances are that your body is producing excess stress hormone called cortisol. 

In this case, those extra kilos on you are not just a lack of willpower but an underlying medical issue related to cortisol. Produced in the adrenaline gland, this hormone called cortisol is released into the bloodstream in times of stress. Now dont judge cortison too soon. It is required to suppress inflammation, regulate blood pressure and increase focus in emergency situations. 

Cortisol is usually tested via blood, urine or saliva, but that captures only a snapshot in time as its levels in the body vary throughout the day, with the highest levels typically occurring in the morning and the lowest levels at night. This daily fluctuation is known as the circadian rhythm, and it helps regulate a number of processes in the body, including metabolism and immune function.

However, when cortisol levels are consistently high due to chronic stress, it can have negative effects on our physical and mental health. Chronic stress can cause cortisol levels to remain elevated, which can interfere with the body’s normal functioning and contribute to a range of health problems, including:

Weight gain: Cortisol can increase the production of insulin, which can lead to weight gain, especially in the abdominal area. Cortisol also triggers the storage of excess fat in the body, which can contribute to weight gain.

Immune dysfunction: Cortisol can suppress the immune system, making the body more susceptible to illness and infection. Additionally, high cortisol levels have been linked to an increased risk of autoimmune disorders.

Depression and anxiety: Cortisol can interfere with the regulation of neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine, which can contribute to symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Cardiovascular disease: Chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels have been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke. Cortisol can raise blood pressure, increase heart rate, and contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Cognitive decline: Chronic stress and high cortisol levels can negatively affect brain function and memory, and have been linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

Decreased bone density: Cortisol can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb calcium, which can lead to decreased bone density and an increased risk of osteoporosis.

Sleep disturbances: Cortisol can interfere with the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, causing sleep disturbances and insomnia.

Therefore, to maintain healthy cortisol levels, it is important to manage stress in healthy ways. This can include exercise, mindfulness practices such as meditation and deep breathing, and getting enough quality sleep. Thoughts are powerful as well. Changing your approach to stress can help too. Eating a balanced diet and reducing caffeine and alcohol intake can also regulate cortisol levels. It is a good practice to get it checked if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms and have not had success in maintaining overall health. 

At Orange Health Labs you could consider these tests: 

Bengaluru: https://www.orangehealth.in/lab-test-bangalore/cortisol-random

Delhi: https://www.orangehealth.in/lab-tests-delhi/cortisol-random

Gurugram: https://www.orangehealth.in/lab-tests-gurgaon/cortisol-random

Noida: https://www.orangehealth.in/lab-tests-noida/cortisol-random

Hyderabad: https://www.orangehealth.in/lab-tests-hyderabad/cortisol-random