Do you think stress can make you fat?

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Stress can change your body. Stress isn't just something you feel in your head. It's something that trickles all throughout your body. Under stress, your body produces two hormones: adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline is like lighter fluid, and cortisol is like charcoal. The former quickly burns off the immediately available sugar in your blood, so you can fight or flee whatever is stressing you. Cortisol continues to fuel the fire, pumping more sugar into your blood so you have energy to burn. The problem is that excess sugar coursing through your blood is meant to help you flee the saber-toothed tiger or battle the charging wild boar. It's made to be burned off quickly as you either escape or attack. When the stress comes in a more modern form - like a pressing deadline or a stack of unpaid bills - you can't literally fight back or flee. And without that burst of physical activity, you don't have the chance to burn off that extra blood sugar. Instead, it gets stored in your belly as fat. Stress can also incite cravings to eat. If you reach for chow when you're stressed, it's not because you're weak. It's because you're programmed to do that. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, have identified a biochemical feedback system in rats that could explain our stress/craving connection. In their study, the researchers determined that stress stimulated a flood of hormones that prompted the rats to engage in pleasure-seeking behaviors like eating high-calorie foods. A University of Chicago study showed that men who slept only 4 hours a night had cortisol levels 37 percent higher than men who got a full 8 hours. Men who stayed awake the whole night had levels 45 percent higher than the well-rested guys. And remember, increased cortisol equals more fat stored in your belly. Another study tracked the work habits and weights of nearly 1,800 men over a 12-month period and found that those who regularly logged late hours were 36 percent more likely to tip the scales at above-normal weights than the 9-to-5ers. That's another reason why letting go of stress is an important step toward letting go of pounds. Another University of Chicago study showed that men who were relaxed enough to get deep, quality sleep secreted almost 65 percent more human growth hormone (HGH) than men who didn't fall into deep sleep. Why is HGH important? It helps prevent the loss of muscle mass that can be caused by cortisol. And muscle mass helps you burn calories and maintain a constantly burning metabolism. So is the evidence convincing? Do you think stress can really be the cause for some forms of obesity or will it just make us puggy in the belly area? Source: MSN NEWS