Lost 30 Kg Without Dieting: Nutritionist Reveals How Balancing One ‘Stress Hormone’ Changed Everything
Lost 30 Kg Without Dieting: Nutritionist Reveals How Balancing One ‘Stress Hormone’ Changed Everything
A woman named Nupuur Patil, who works as a nutritionist, went viral on social media after sharing her weight loss journey. She said she lost 30 kg, but it was not easy. She tried many diets and exercises, but nothing worked for a long time. She later found out that the reason she was not losing weight was because of a hormone called cortisol.
Nupuur said that her cortisol levels were high, and this was stopping her from losing fat. She wrote in a post that she felt hopeless even after trying everything. Once she learned about cortisol and started working on lowering it, her weight loss became possible.
Nupuur explained that everyone has different levels of gut bacteria, and that affects how cortisol behaves in the body. Because of this, the same tips may not work for everyone. She advised people to take a personal approach and understand what suits their body best.
What Is Cortisol?
Cortisol is a hormone made by the body during stress. It helps us manage pressure and stay alert. But when the body makes too much cortisol for a long time, it can cause problems. It can affect sleep, hunger, mood, and how the body stores fat. High cortisol can also impact other hormones like melatonin, insulin, and thyroid.
Foods That May Help Lower Cortisol
Experts say that some foods may help lower cortisol or reduce its side effects. Many of these are plant-based. For example, avocados have vitamins and healthy fats that may help the body fight stress. One study showed that people who eat avocados regularly may have better heart health too.
Fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut are also helpful. They contain probiotics, which are good bacteria for the gut. Some studies showed that people who ate probiotics performed better under stress and had lower cortisol levels.
Bananas may help too. They have nutrients like potassium and magnesium. Bananas also contain tryptophan, a chemical that helps make serotonin, which supports mood and sleep. Some studies found that tryptophan can lower cortisol levels.
Dark chocolate is another food that may help. It contains plant compounds that can protect cells from damage caused by cortisol. Some people have shown a reduction in cortisol when they consume a small amount of dark chocolate daily.
Leafy greens like spinach have B vitamins that may reduce stress. Spinach also has antioxidants and can help control blood sugar. It may also improve blood flow and lower blood pressure.
Health Problems Linked to High Cortisol
If the body has high cortisol for a long time, it may lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, or high blood sugar. It can also cause muscle weakness, weak bones, mood changes, and easy bruising.
What to Do
If someone feels they may have high cortisol, they should talk to a doctor. Eating more fruits and vegetables is a simple way to start. Most people don’t need to get cortisol levels tested, but if someone shows signs of a condition called Cushing’s syndrome, a test may be needed. This condition happens when cortisol levels stay too high due to problems in the body or from taking steroid medicines for a long time.
