Stress and weight gain

From time to time we all get in stressful situations and when the pressure is too high, the body sends some signals. The most important signs of stress are anxiety, fatigue, over-the edge tension, these all providing an unpleasant malaise from mild state till depression and several complicated reactions take place in our organism.

The most of us are well aware of the different signs of stress, but did you know that it also can contribute to weight gain?

Regardless to the fact that at first too much pressure means loosing weight, after a longer period of continuous stress the fight or flight response is triggered in our bodies, leading to the release of various hormones and changes in our functioning. The body will interpret this function like it was in danger and need to fight and the chronic stress becomes dangerous to health. The released hormones such as adrenalin, giving us instant energy, along with corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) and cortisol decrease appetite at first, but the effects usually don't last long. The cortisol helps replenish the body after the stress has passed remaining elevated, increasing the appetite and ultimately driving the person to eat more. Too much cortisol can slow the metabolism causing more weight gain and making dieting more difficult.

The sad news is that too much stress can also not just only to weight gain, but to the tendency of storing visceral fat around the midsection, accumulated fat cells lying deep within the abdomen causing the probable appearance of different diseases. Therefore, you probably need help from diet pills.

Fortunately where bad news is accompanied with good news and although stress cannot be calmed with pain killers or stimulants, physical activity, common sense, bath therapy, meditation or yoga can make wonders on overstrained nerves.