Cortisol and weight gain

Cortisol is a hormone in a group of steroids commonly referred to as glucocorticoids. It is produced by the adrenal gland as part of our daily hormone cycle. However it is also a key hormone involved in the body’s response to stress, both physical and emotional.

When stress goes up, cortisol levels go up. And it is often reported that obese people have higher cortisol levels than lean people.

Cortisol increases blood sugar levels, increases blood pressure and suppresses the immune system, which is part of our “fight or flight” response, essential for survival.

Cortisol also mobilises carbohydrate and fat for quick energy. When the immediate stress is over, the adrenaline dissipates, but the cortisol lingers to help bring the body back into balance. One of the ways it gets things back to normal is to increase our appetites so we can replace the carbohydrate and fat we should have burned while fleeing or fighting.
Therefore being in a constant state of stress exposes us to prolonged cortisol production, which over the long term may lead to weight gain.