Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Stress and Your Abs

Did you know that stress can make you store fat in your abdominal region? The hormone cortisol is released in the body during times of stress. Cortisol can remain elevated for prolonged periods of time if you experience chronic stress. This hormone tries to protect and ready the body for "fight or flight" by stimulating carbohyddrate metabolism for fast energy.

Part of this process involves insulin release. The main point to remember is that when insulin is released, fat metabolism is minimized and the hormonal response is increased appetite. Knowing what stresses you out and taking appropriate steps to minimize it is critical for good health.

No comments: