When cortisol is constantly high, weight loss becomes a struggle: Here's why

From insulin resistance to increased appetite, here are a few reasons why high cortisol levels can make weight loss difficult.

Published on: Nov 28, 2023 6:00 AM IST

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High cortisol levels can lead to excess belly fat, especially visceral fat. "Visceral fat has been linked to various health problems, including insulin resistance, inflammation, and cardiovascular issues. The issue is that losing fat when cortisol is high is extremely challenging," wrote Nutritionist Marina Wright. Here are a few reasons why high cortisol can make weight loss very difficult. (Unsplash)

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Abdominal fat storage: The fat cells in the body have more cortisol receptors. Hence, the effect of cortisol is lot more in the abdominal fat than anywhere else in the body.  (Unsplash)

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Increased appetite: High cortisol levels can disrupt sleep and impact the appetite-regulating hormones, making us eat more.  (Unsplash)

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Insulin resistance: Increased cortisol levels lead to consistently high blood sugar, promoting fat storage and inducing insulin resistance.  (Unsplash)

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Muscle loss: Cortisol can lead to break down of muscle tissue for energy, thereby reducing the basal metabolic rate. This decrease in muscle mass and metabolic rate can lead to weight gain.  (Unsplash)