Hi folks. I'm not really sure where to put this, but since it has to do with weight loss, I'll throw it here.

I've been seeing a lot of ads for products that claim cortisol makes you fat (around the middle) and that your body produces too much cortisol when under stress, which contributes to weight gain. There are "magic pills" that claim to help people lose weight quickly by balancing this body chemical.

Questions:

1) Can anyone sort of explain what role cortisol has in the body?
2) Does it relate at all to insulin and LC WOE?
3) Has anyone tried any of these products (e.g., cortislim).

I'm just wondering if there is any science or merit to what they are saying, so if you know anything about this, let me know.

Thanks.

Jana

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Jana Berghoefer

I will try to give you a better answer a little later if I can (I am really buisy this week) but the short version is that I don't think a pill will really help improve your weight loss.

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Started Atkins on 9/20/03
235-->190; 150 goal

Jana
this link may help.

The short version is that cortisol is a steroid hormone secreted in the adrenal glands in times of stress. That is why it's known as the 'stress hormone'. Do not believe any claims made by the makers of these 'magic pills'. This stuff is at best useless, and at worst, dangerous. If you want to understand further the role of adrenal glands and insulin levels as they relate to weight loss, I would recommend reading Dr. Schwarzbein's books: The Schwarzbein Principal and The Schwarzbein Principal II (The Transition).

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"Live strong." ~ Lance Armstrong
SLEEP BE DAMNED! GET THY BUTT TO THE GYM!
Start Atkins 9.1.03
225/198/130ish

Thanks. Very helpful.

j

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Jana Berghoefer

Thanks Tara

I was going to review Guyton & Hall but I have to prepare for a plane trip tomorrow morning.

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Started Atkins on 9/20/03
235-->190; 150 goal

Thanks for the info Tara!

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320/279/150
Started Atkins 1-19-04

Cortisone and corticosteroids do cause weight gain around the middle and it is the hardest to get rid of, but I would NOT believe any claim that there is a way to stop this from happening is safe. The article is very good.

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Lori

232/190/130
My other journal http://www.lowcarbeating.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1130

What I don't see mentioned is that the fat around the middle caused by cortisol is deep belly fat (under the muscle layer instead of on top.) This type of fat is pretty unhealthy to have an excess of. If I remember correctly, from what I've read in the past, getting a good night's sleep is crucial to help keep levels of cortisol in check. Constantly being sleep deprived causes the body to constantly keep producing high levels of the hormone. I wish I could remember the title of the book that I read.

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>^..^<
Esther

Wow Catlady...I think you just answered something for me! For the past 10 years or so I have been working a schedule that has me getting up at 2:30am for work. I don't go to bed until about 8pm although I do take naps in the afternoon. During that same time, I seem to have gained weight mostly in my belly...maybe I'm sleep deprived? Hmmmm. Have to do some more research. Thanks!

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227.5/210.5 helloooooo 180!
Gertie

"Self" magazine had an article exactly relating to cortisol. I'll try to post the month tomorrow.