Howdy-
Is there a connection between stress and stomach size? It seems that there are a lot of commercials now about stress causing belly fat and I wonder if stress management then would be a good path to weight loss.
TX
Yes TX, it appears that abdominal or belly fat is fed by stress in two ways according to a 2007 Georgetown University study. First, blame cortisol; this hormone is produced when we’re stressed to help us fight or flee burning buildings, bosses, bills and other challenges big and small—this chemical contributes to production of fat that gets served right to our midsections. Stress also stimulates our cravings for comforting sugary and fat-filled foods, and we know that those jelly donuts contribute to belly donuts, an unhealthy form of fat that’s linked to diabetes, heart problems and stroke. Research also suggests that a key hormone involved in this stress-induced craving also keeps belly fat hanging around, and this may explain why this type of fat can be so hard to shed.
I know it’s a hard pill to swallow, but these stress-to-belly fat recipes are cooked up to help us. Both of these automatic fat-loading mechanisms were originally designed to provide energy to deal with life’s many challenges which used to include roaming the earth for food and fighting off predators at every turn. By comparison, today’s stressors and the ways we respond to them are much less demanding, so our stress-fueled fat collects around our waists faster than it’s burned off. And compounding the extra poundage are our inadequate exercise regiments, and our abundance of fatty foods, portion sizes and eating opportunities.
Looking at belly fat with the plate half full, stress reduction can therefore prevent fat production and cravings for chips and chocolate ice cream. Researchers are also working on ways to divert stress-sparked fat away from our bellies to other areas where it can be better used. For now, stress prevention and reduction may be among the best choices on your weight management menu.
tsc
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