Search Weight Loss Topics:




Feb 5

Are you struggling with a stress belly? 6 things you can do to get rid of abdominal fat, boost weight loss – Times Now

Are you struggling with a stress belly? 6 things you can do to get rid of abdominal fat, boost weight loss  |  Photo Credit: iStock Images

New Delhi: Everyone experiences stress from time to time. But prolonged stress can cause a range of physical and mental health problems. It can also lead to unwanted weight gain, especially around the middle. Research has shown that stress can cause excess abdominal fat in otherwise lean women. Also known as stress belly, which is a way to describe how stress and stress hormones affect your belly, abdominal fat is linked with serious health issues, including a greater risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and breathing problems. The good news is, theres a lot you can do to get rid of stress belly or boost your weight loss.

Basically, stress belly is not a medical diagnosis, its a way of describing how stress and stress hormones can affect your weight, especially your belly. For instance, higher levels of cortisol - the primary stress hormone - have been associated with abdominal obesity. This crucial hormone produced in the adrenal gland also helps with blood sugar control, metabolism and many other functions in the body. Cortisol, along with other hormones like adrenaline, is a part of the bodys fight or flight response that occurs when faced with a crisis. During a stressful event, cortisol levels rise to give you a surge of energy to help you deal with the event. And once the stress is addressed, everything returns to normal.

However, prolonged and constant feeling of stress can affect your health in many ways, including raised blood pressure, increased blood sugar levels and elevated stress cortisol levels. Raised cortisol levels triggered by chronic stress have been associated with weight gain and abdominal obesity.

For instance, a study published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine reported that individuals with higher levels of cortisol in their bodies tended to have larger waist measurements and a higher body mass index (BMI) compared to those with lower levels. Similarly, a 2018 review study found that higher long-term cortisol levels are strongly linked to having abdominal obesity.

However, it may be noted that not all people with obesity have high cortisol levels, since genetics may play a role in glucocorticoid sensitivity.

Various factors, including age and genetics, influence where your body stores fat. But there are many things you can do to lose belly fat and maintain weight loss. Here are a few tips that you can follow:

The bottom line is, whether or not you have a stress belly, a sensible lifestyle will help prevent disease and promote a healthier, fitter life.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

View original post here:
Are you struggling with a stress belly? 6 things you can do to get rid of abdominal fat, boost weight loss - Times Now

Related Posts

    Your Full Name

    Your Email

    Your Phone Number

    Select your age (30+ only)

    Select Your US State

    Program Choice

    Confirm over 30 years old

    Yes

    Confirm that you resident in USA

    Yes

    This is a Serious Inquiry

    Yes

    Message:



    matomo tracker