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Nowadays, the subject of stress has become so commonly
discussed that many people may not be aware of the major role
that it plays in weight management. However, recent clinical
studies have helped shed new light on the relationship between
the two, and it seems that all that worrying may be taking a
significant toll on your waistline.
There are three hormonal stress responses: acute, chronic, and
adrenal burnout. Acute stress is often felt before a physical
test, such as running a race or just prior to an automobile
accident. In addition to a rush of anxiety and nervousness, many
things are taking place at a cellular level in the body during
acute stress. First, the brain’s hypothalamic center releases
corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH). This hormone then
travels to the nearby pituitary gland, where it causes the
release of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), which in turn
travels through the body to the adrenal glands.
The adrenal glands then release three hormones. The first two
are epinephrine and norepinephrine, which increase the heart
rate and selectively increase blood flow to the muscles, lungs,
and brain to allow for enhanced performance during the stressful
moment. Following the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine,
a third hormone is released. That hormone is cortisol, which
helps raise blood sugar and calm the body in order to let it
recover from the stressful event.
While effective during times of stress, this chain of chemical
reactions can be debilitating if allowed to take place
repeatedly in the body. When this happens, it becomes chronic
stress, which can lead to the persistent elevation of both
cortisol and CRH levels. This can have negative effects on the
body, specifically with regard to body weight. That is because
increased cortisol can lead to insulin resistance, which
promotes fat deposition.
Likewise, increased levels of CRH have been shown to increase
inflammation, and chronic inflammation can ultimately result in
further fat deposition. As chronic stress continues, the adrenal
glands may eventually become fatigued and stop producing
cortisol in response to CRH and ACTH. When cortisol levels
become too low, it can lead to adrenal burnout. This can be
potentially harmful, as normal amounts of cortisol are needed to
help manage pain, inflammation, blood sugar, blood pressure,
fatigue, mood, and emotional stability.
Since many herbs and nutrients help to regulate cortisol
production and support the adrenal glands, nutritional
supplementation may be an effective way to help reduce stress
and maintain a healthy cortisol balance. For example, because
the adrenal glands depend on vitamin B5, a B5 deficiency puts
continual stress on the adrenal glands, which can eventually
lead to exhaustion and malfunction of the glands. Herbs such as
ashwagandha root, eleuthero root (ginseng), and rhodiola rosea
are all considered adaptogenic; that is, these herbs have a
history of supporting adrenal function and cortisol production,
as well as enhancing our ability to withstand the negative
effects of stress.
In addition to helping regulate blood sugar, banaba extract has
been shown to reduce cortisol production and support adrenal
function. The amino acid L-theanine is believed to induce
relaxation and relieve emotional stress. This has to do with its
ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and contribute to the
production of GABA, an amino acid well-known for its calming
effects.
While healthy weight management involves many factors=97including
limiting the amount of calories you consume each day and
following a regular exercise program=97nutritional supplementation
may also provide noticeable benefits. When choosing a
supplement, look for these ingredients that help support adrenal
health and regulate cortisol levels.
About The Author: Brenda Watson is a New York Times Bestselling
Author, Naturopathic Doctor and President of RenewLife Formulas.
She has been helping people achieve optimal digestive health
for over twenty five years. http://www.fiber35diet.com
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