Cortisol and Fat Loss
Cortisol hormone has been called the “master” of all hormones because cortisol and fat loss are intricately connected. It is a steroid hormone, like testosterone and estrogen. As a powerful hormone, it is necessary for life, but if its level is not optimal in your body, your health could suffer.
What is Cortisol?
The cortisol hormone is produced in the adrenal glands and is primarily responsible for regulating blood sugar, helping to metabolize fats, protein, and carbohydrates and assisting in managing our stress response. We all have times of stress in our lives, and cortisol helps us to function during these times.
When the stress goes up, cortisol kicks in and delivers help. We get a quick burst of energy, our memory sharpens, our immunity increases, and our sensitivity to pain decreases. These are all important and natural functions of cortisol and ensure that we are able to weather the curve balls that life throws at us.
However, if the stress doesn’t let up, neither does the cortisol. Unfortunately, what is healthy in small bursts becomes dangerous over the long term. If you have persistent stress in your life, then you have cortisol levels that are out of balance: your body makes so much cortisol that it detrimentally affects your health. This leads to adrenal fatigue.
When you have prolonged, high levels of cortisol in your bloodstream
- you will crave foods that are high in carbs like cake and cookies
- you will gain weight in your abdominal area which then increases your risk of heart disease and diabetes, and
- you will have trouble sleeping.
Cortisol and the Circadian Rhythm
Our bodies produce different chemicals during the day and night that control our sleep, energy, and mood. The natural rhythm of this cycle is known as the Circadian Rhythm, and cortisol is a key player.
Under normal circumstances, your body produces cortisol hormone in amounts largely determined by the clock. Levels tend to be higher in morning, triggered by the emerging daylight, giving you a boost of energy to jumpstart your day.
As the day wears on, cortisol levels should drop, helping to prepare you for a good night’s sleep. Likewise, melatonin levels, another hormone that affects your energy and sleep habits, should be lower in the morning but as the daylight fades, they should increase, helping you to begin relaxing and preparing for sleep. Following a consistent exercise program helps with your sleep habits too.
If you are under constant stress or if your adrenal glands are not functioning properly, your cortisol level may not drop off during the day. Instead, it may actually rise and stay at a dangerously high level. By the time bedtime rolls around, you will not feel sleepy. You will feel “tired but wired,” and be unable to relax and fall asleep.
Reset Your Circadian Clock
If you suspect that your natural, circadian rhythm is disrupted, don’t feel overhelmed. There are several things you can do to reset your clock to help you sleep better at night and wake up more refreshed in the morning.
Try these tips:
- Reduce stress. Easier said than done, I know. But many times our stress levels are correlated to our response to stressful situations. Learning how to cope with stress more effectively may be all it takes to balance your cortisol.
- Be consistent. Going to bed and getting up at the same time each day will help to regulate your circadian rhythm. Practice this habit to slowly coax your body into a schedule.
- Use light wisely. Since your circadian rhythm is partially controlled by light, darken your room when you go to bed, and flood it with light when it is time to get up. Try using a full spectrum light in the mornings.
- Avoid naps. If your circadian clock is off, you may find that you get very sleepy in the afternoon. However, taking a nap may make it more difficult to fall asleep at night. Try to resist naps.
