 Stress can cause Insulin Resistance-related excess weight and
obesity. Various forms of stress release the steroid cortisol
and this process may result in severe weight gain.
Insulin sensitivity decreases after certain stressful
experiences, such as surgery, and it is also associated with
work-related mental and emotional stress. Insulin Resistance is
an imbalance of glucose and insulin in the blood stream and is
also influenced by such factors as overeating, poor lifestyle
choices and sedentary habits.
Stress creates an increase in cortisol levels which causes the
liver to release glucose into the blood stream. This flood of
glucose is an evolutionary response – to survive attacks by our
predators – today, we have cortisol surges in response to daily
stressors. This chronic exposure to cortisol causes blood
glucose levels to rise.
As glucose intensifies, it stimulates
insulin production, which has a number of negative effects, one
of which is inducing Insulin Resistance via increased
noradrenalin.
Noradrenalin, a hormone, is a stress-response chemical, released
under conditions of emotional upset. Further, glucocorticoids
(such as cortisol) are also stress-response chemicals in some
women. These hormones are also responsible for increased storing
of abdominal fat and elevated blood glucose levels.
One study demonstrated that people with elevated
levels of serum cortisol (caused by chronic stress) developed
abdominal obesity, Insulin Resistance and lipid abnormalities.
Excessive levels of insulin signal our bodies to store unused
glucose as fat throughout the body.
This also causes a rise in
cholesterol and blood pressure levels, the formation of  artery-blocking plaque and an increased risk of kidney
dysfunction.
In people who are "stress-eaters", particularly women, the more
they eat high-fat, high-sugar, high-carbohydrate foods in
response to stress, the more fat they store and the more insulin
they secrete. This, in turn, elevates glucose levels, causing
even more fat to be stored.
As a result, a vicious cycle begins that also contributes to the
development of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), the hormonal
imbalance which is a major cause of female infertility, as well
as skin conditions and excess facial and body hair.
Excess Weight, Obesity, Stress and Metabolic Syndrome (Syndrome
X)
 Stress-related weight gain and obesity can also be precursors to
Metabolic Syndrome (Syndrome X), the cluster of cardiovascular
risk factors for which obesity and Insulin Resistance are
underlying causes.
Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome include high LDL "bad"
cholesterol, low HDL "good" cholesterol and an increase in
triglyceride levels, all of which heighten the chance of
damaging the cardiovascular system. If neglected, Metabolic
Syndrome may lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Excess Weight, Obesity, Stress and PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian
Syndrome) and Pre-Diabetes
Excess weight, obesity and Insulin Resistance are connected by
stress to other conditions, too. They can, for instance,
underlie the hormonal imbalance, (PCOS) Polycystic Ovarian
Syndrome.
PCOS also increases the risk of developing Pre-Diabetes. This
reversible condition, if neglected, may lead to Type 2 Diabetes,
which must be managed for the rest of your life and may require
daily insulin injections. Type 2 Diabetes is a significantly
increased risk factor for blindness, amputation and kidney
disease.
 For optimum health, excess weight and obesity need to be reduced
by reversing Insulin Resistance. Clearly, management of stress
factors is a critical component to addressing excess weight and
obesity, as well as attendant disorders like Metabolic Syndrome,
PCOS and Pre-Diabetes. But just as clearly, no single approach
will affect all the components of these conditions.
A complete system, including nutraceuticals (vitamins, herbs and
minerals that are disease-specific), a realistic exercise
program, nutritional guidance and a support network that will
help you change unhealthy lifestyle choices, is required.
Click here to
read about the ground-breaking Insulite System for Excess Weight
and Obesity, which is scientifically-designed to balance
circulating blood sugar and insulin levels — key factors
in stabilizing and then reducing weight gain caused by stress.
One of the system's formulations, called InsulX, contains
vanadium, which decreases body fat and reduces appetite naturally.
You may be interested in some Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs) about the Insulite System for
Excess Weight and Obesity.
Click here to read about
Excess Weight and Fatigue
|
