Cortisol & belly fat connection...any thoughts?

[Donna]

Have seen a few times the relationships of stress, elevated coritsol levels, and overweight, and the connection of all of these causing additional abdomen and belly-type fat. I mean, even if you don't have lots of pounds to lose, have any of you guys noticed this kind of excess weight, when the rest of your body is pretty much equal?

In fact, I had seen a women's supplement alluding to this subject and cannot for the life of me remember the name of it, but it specifically addressed this issue.

So, some of you here may have heard of this cortisol connection? Wonder what kind of regime or suppliment would help with this condition?

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this. :o

[Sharron Long]

We have a thread on adrenal fatigue going in this forum.

If you are talking about cortaslim type products, I consider them to be very dangerous.

I wish I had an answer for you, but check out our other thread and you might get some insights...

[heykim]

and DEARGODINHEAVEN if i see that commercial ONE more time with that guy sellin the stuff.. and telling me about not wanting to lose "meanless weight loss" oh GRRRRRRRRRRR.. it is on every five minutes.. sometimes on three or four channels at a time..
and just WHAT is meaningless weight loss... water? i dont know... for me.. there IS no MEANINGLESS weight loss..*L*
GAH! those diet commercials annoy me... and to think that they will get WORSE in january (when everyone tries to lose weight) is FRIGHTENING to me..
i keep telling my husband that they BETTER NOT have that annoying commercial during the SUPERBOWL !!!! *i am so shallow its scary..:-) *

[Donna]

Kim, that is not the commercial I saw. This one was for Menopause weight problems, and a woman was doing the commercial. If I see it again, I'll try to remember what the name of it was.

Anyway the way she explained it, I have read this other places before, and so I wondered if a cortisol increase does cause you to have this belly type fat. And, if the supplement would help that.

[teelbee]

It's probably a good idea to have your cortisol level tested before self-medicating. Cortisol is a hormone. The endocrine system is very complex and interdependent. Tweaking one thing can throw another thing out of whack.

This article describes how the cortisol test is done; I've included a snippet that describes the function of cortisol in the body:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/003703.htm

Cortisol is a steroid hormone released from the adrenal gland in response to ACTH, a hormone from the anterior pituitary gland in the brain. Cortisol levels rise and fall during the day. Highest levels occur at about 6 to 8 a.m. and lowest levels at about midnight.

Cortisol affects many different body systems. It plays a role in lipid, carbohydrate and protein metabolism. Cortisol also plays a role in the bone, circulatory, nervous and immune systems. Cortisol is critical for normal stress responses. Different diseases, such as Cushing's disease and Addison's disease, can lead to either over- or under-production of cortisol. Urinary free cortisol measurements can help to diagnose these conditions.

[Lawbooks]

Donna,

To put it frankly, YES I believe that cortisol very much IS to blame for an increase in belly fat deposits. In fact, I believe there has been quite a bit of research done on this (don't have any links to give you at the moment)...
BUT
I ABSOLUTELY WOULD NOT TOUCH those cortisol-inhibiting drugs!!! :(
They are still very new and their long-term side effects are VERY questionable. Most doctors will tell you that they would not touch them with a 10-foot pole! Why? Because they are dealing with a VERY sensitive area of your body and I don't want any unknown drugs poking around in MY brain/adrenals!

But here is a book you SHOULD read re: adrenal exhaustion & cortisol: The Schwarzbein Principle by Diana Schwarzbein, MD
Unlike that loser on those Cortisol commercials, she is an actual MEDICAL DOCTOR and she is specialized in endocrinology. Her book was VERY eye-opening for me.
And ultimately, if you struggle with belly fat, this woe (way of eating) really is the best thing you can do. It has helped me tremendously.
I hope this helps and I wish you the best!

[hockeygirl]

Is it "Relacore" you are thinking of? That commercial is always on.... ARGH. Frustrating...

-K

[cheftrina]

I absolutely agree with Lawbooks and Teelbee here; I don't think it's wise to self-medicate when it's something as complicated as your adrenal system. I do think it's something to discuss with your health care professional. I mean, maybe cortisol is the culprit, but what if it isn't? You could do yourself some real harm by trying to fix something that isn't wrong with you.

Also, there is a class-action suit pending against the makers of Corti-slim. Apparently, it isn't dangerous, per se, just isn't proven to do for weight loss what they are claiming. Of course, remember that Phen-fen and ephedra were considered safe at first, too. There is a news story about it, here.

[teelbee]

I'd just like to add an observation here...

If stress and a high cortisol level do result in excess belly fat, a better way to deal with it is at the source - reduce your stress!

No magic pill, no snake oil needed - just an examination of your lifestyle and analysis of your coping skills. If possible check out the stress management services offered by your health provider - many HMOs offer stress reduction programs as part of a preventative health care service. Certainly you can get some good ideas on stress reduction from books, magazines, and other media sources.

Here are just a few ideas:

• Reduce your commitments (I'm afraid I cannot babysit Jody this weekend)

• Set limits (I'll help with the bake sale, but I'm only available from 11 to noon)

• Enlist aid (Toots, I really need a hand here - would you take care of dinner while I get the bills paid?)

• Don't over extend yourself (I'd love to go to the workshop with you, but I'm already juggling as it is - maybe another time.)

• Review priorities (I really have to pay the bills today, but cleaning the oven can wait until next week)

• Learn some negotiating skills (I know you're in the middle of a show now, but would you be able to unclog the sink before bedtime?)

• Don't take things too personally (That remark was thoughless, but I doubt that it was meant to hurt or embarrass me.)

• Don't sweat the small stuff (That's such an annoying habit, but thank goodness he's always willing to pitch in.)

• Find time for peace - where ever you find it: meditation, bubble bath, yoga, music, etc

• Find time for exercise - even a 15-minute walk can relieve a lot of stress

• Get help - talk to a counsellor or medical professional and ask for referrals or for a stress treatment plan

[LouG]

I am so sick of those commercials. they are a real turn off to dieting in any form.

[Judy]

Ahhh Teel--- once again I am impressed with your writing skills. Good list!

[Larina43]

I take the Relacore. It's all natural vitamins and herbs. It helps me with my moods and I think it helps a little with my stress.

http://www.relacore.tv/ingredients.html

[britneyfan]

I am not sure if anyone recently heard this, but it was in the news, the markers of Cortislim are being sued for false advertising.

http://stress.about.com/od/cortisol/a/cortislim.htm

[Sharron Long]

no, i hadn't heard, but it sure doesn't surprise me

[jackiep]

I have a tape I got from LA weight loss called breathersize, thats supposed to decrease cortisol levels, I never did view it .......maybe I should pull it out.