STRESS AND WEIGHT GAIN GO TOGETHER FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS…
1. WHEN STRESS IS ON DIGESTION IS OFF.
When the body is focused on survival, digestion is down regulated to re-direct energy to other areas of the body since surviving stress is prioritized over digestion. This means less digestive juices to digest food properly, causing you to assimilate fewer nutrients. The decrease of digestive juices that happens during stress can cause bloating, constipation, and other digestive distress.
2. STRESS DOWN REGULATES YOUR APPETITE.
Because of what happens above (#1), you’re less likely to actually WANT to eat. This may appear like a good thing for weight loss, but it’s quite the opposite! This means you are going to take in fewer nutrients during times of stress, and stress actually REQUIRES more nutrients from the body. Say goodbye to meeting those weight loss goals when your body feels like it’s being burned from both ends!
3. STRESS TRIGGERS THE RELEASE OF STRESS HORMONES THAT PROTECTIVELY SLOW THE METABOLISM.
Stress stimulates the use of glycogen (stored sugar in the liver) for energy. Once glycogen stores are depleted, tissue breakdown begins (the breakdown of proteins and fat to make glucose [sugar] for energy). This process releases amino acids that are anti-metabolic to our thyroid. “Muscle catabolism also releases a large amount of cysteine, and cysteine, methionine, and tryptophan suppress thyroid function,” Ray Peat, PhD.
4. STRESS AFFECTS SLEEP QUALITY AND CAN CONTRIBUTE TO INSOMNIA.
Stress increases stress hormones (adrenaline & cortisol) and causes blood sugar swings, both which contribute to stress hormones being too high at night (a common denominator in insomnia). Numerous studies have shown lack of sleep contributes to weight gain, not weight loss.
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5. STRESS IS STRESS IS STRESS.
Work stress, parenting stress, lack of sleep stress, and life threatening stress all have the SAME response from the body—EMERGENCY, must MAKE and CONSERVE energy. This system is in place for a reason, to help us survive those quick instance of life threatening stress. But nowadays stress is around every corner increasing the body’s need for nutrients!
Have you noticed stress and weight gain effecting your life? Please share in the comments!
References:
Peat, Ray. Tryptophan, serotonin & aging. 2006. Retrieved July 10, 2013 fromhttp://raypeat.com/articles/aging/tryptophan-serotonin-aging.shtml
This article was written by Catherine Crow from Butter Nutrition.
ABOUT CATHERINE CROW
As a nutritional therapist, my passion is education. It is my purpose to help people re-align their lives and environment to support a lifestyle where health is never a stressor, and you can truly live life without your physical body getting in your way. My goal is to help guide you to improve your nutrition through strategic eating (not dieting) and without expensive supplements! Because when you know better, you can feel better! Connect with me at Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, or get email updates.
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