What Does Cortisol Do? | PYHP 12

Generally speaking, hormones control how the body either loses or gains weight. Stress has a major effect on hormones, which also contributes to weight gain. Thus, cortisol, which is often referred to as the ‘stress hormone,’ plays a major role in this process.  Cortisol is a glucocorticoid,’ because its effect on blood glucose.

For example, if you go to bed hungry and skip breakfast in the morning, cortisol will increase. This rise in cortisol stimulates the liver to produce glucose. This process is gluconeogenesis, which prevents your blood sugar from dropping too low. Due to this rise in blood glucose, the pancreas will release insulin.

Remember, insulin is the only fat storage hormone in the body. The next time you eat a meal, the pancreas secretes even more insulin on top of the insulin that was already there. Overtime, this can lead to a vicious cycle and continuous weight gain.

Many of us are emotional eaters, so add stress and some comfort-food together and you will gain weight. The take home point is if your stressed, cortisol is going to increase. This will make your blood sugar increase, which cause a release of insulin. So, stress and worry can make you fat. It is important to keep cortisol (stress) levels in a proper balance so you don’t gain weight.

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