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Did you know that stress is fat? Nutritionist's recommendations to avoid extra pounds, Dr. Camelia Stefanescu

Romanians are among the Europeans greatly affected by stress. 70% of Romanians have stress at work, according to a study by the International Labor Organization in 2017.

Although stress is a real problem for today's society, many people do not take this scourge seriously. But untreated stress leads to problems such as depression, anxiety, personality disorders, obesity, cardiovascular disease, cardiac arrhythmias and myocardial infarction or stroke.

Do you have problems at work or at home, like most of us? Are you stressed and that's starting to see? Have you noticed that around the abdomen appeared, shy at first, a collared baby but who gives signs that he wants to overcome his relative from the sea ... the life jacket?

Where does this plus of kilograms come from?
Well, if diet and exercise are controlled (under the guidance of a nutritionist and a coach) but you still do not feel or do not look the way you want, stress is definitely deeply involved in this story.

It plays, unfortunately, an essential role in weight gain. At first it can make you have a lower appetite, through body secreted adrenaline, but in time, "chronic" stress stimulates cortisol secretion and hunger will be at its peak.

Most of us eat without control when there is too much pressure in everyday life. This happens because of the body's physiological response to an automatic pilot, called "survival mode," in most cases ending with an over-feeding mechanism. By intervening in the vegetative nervous system, you are getting ready to "fight or run away" once the body reaches a certain level of stress.

The main "stress hormone" of the body is cortisol. It is secreted by the adrenal glands - conical organs located in the upper part of the kidneys.

Think of cortisol as a built-in alarm system of human nature. It is in close contact with certain parts of the brain to control your mood, motivation and fear.

But why do I over-feed myself?

Because, and it may sound funny, but that's exactly what happens, your body thinks you used calories to solve your stress, even if you really did not run out of any lion or you You fought a ninja. As a result, the unconscious area of ​​your brain, the paleocortex, is convinced that you have to eat to recharge those calories, even if you are not really hungry.

Cortisol is involved in increasing and maintaining the instinct of "fighting or fleeing" the body in a state of alert, however, according to your daily needs, it also plays an important role in a number of other things that your body do what.

E.g:

Ø Manages how the body uses carbohydrates, fats and proteins

Ø Maintain low inflammation

Ø Adjusts blood pressure

Ø Boosts blood sugar (glucose) to improve brain energy and main internal organs

Ø Control the sleep / wake cycle to manage stress

What happens when you deal with too much stress?

Normally, once the pressure or danger has passed, the level of cortisol should be calmed down. Heart, blood pressure and other body systems will return to normal.

But if you remain under constant stress and the alarm button stays on?
The most important functions of the body can derail leading to a number of health problems, including:

Ø Anxiety and depression

Ø Headaches

Ø Cardiac disease

Ø Problems of memory and concentration

Ø Problems with digestion and intestinal transit

Ø Sleep problems

Ø Weight gain

Cortisol increases during tense periods of your life, regardless of the nature of the stress. The effect of this can turn food excess into a habit.

But what else is going on, that the painting is complete, and the grain grows tighter, but sure?

Because elevated levels of the hormone contribute to the extra secretion of insulin, which leads to a decrease in blood glucose. From this moment you start to be tempted by the consumption of sweet and fat foods.

That is, instead of a salad or a banana, you are more likely to eat candies, cakes or fast food, also called "comfort foods."

As Dr Jason Perry Block, a professor of medicine, says, food can be considered a source of consolation that can reduce stress.

Fatty and sweet foods are usually the big guilty, and many of us have already developed a strong attachment to them.

In conclusion, "more stress = more cortisol = higher appetite for junk food = more fat on the belly," says Dr. Shawn M. Talbott, nutritional biochemist.

How to Keep Healthy Cortisol Levels
Obviously, the easiest way to keep your normal cortisol level and to function properly is to reduce stress as much as possible.

Try to apply the following simple tips to maintain your body's "fighting or running" instinct to the right level:

Ø Eat balanced from all food groups

Ø Exercise frequently or at least at an alert pace

Ø Sleep at least 7 hours per night

Ø Schedule a massage session to get rid of the feeling of tiredness caused by prolonged stress

Ø Socialize more, meet friends. Ideal is having someone with whom you can discuss what's embarrassing you

Ø You laugh more, it is one of the best natural destroyer and ... it costs nothing

Remember your hobbies from childhood or adolescence and resume those activities

Ø Listen to music; will always offer you a good standing and the power to overcome everyday problems

Ø Practice yoga or meditation or at least try to learn to breathe deeply and relax when you feel that a new stress factor aggresses you

We all struggle with stress from time to time. It's up to you to deal with his annihilation as best you can. Resisting the temptation to eat too much is a wonderful beginning.

Dr. Nutritionist Camelia Stefanescu - Quantica720 Health Reset Center

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