Have you ever suddenly craved sweets after a busy, anxious, or sleepless night? This isn't a lack of willpower, but rather your body being controlled by the stress hormone cortisol. Dr. Eric Berg points out that when a person is under prolonged stress, cortisol levels spike, leading to increased blood sugar, excessive insulin secretion, and ultimately, fat accumulation — especially stubborn abdominal fat.
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Stress raises blood sugar, and your body mistakenly thinks you're "fleeing for your life."
Dr. Berg explained that cortisol, scientifically known as "glucocorticoid," is closely related to blood sugar levels. When a person faces stress, fright, or trauma, the brain initiates a "fight or flight" response, prompting the adrenal glands to release cortisol and adrenaline, which in turn causes the liver to release stored glucose for energy.
In ancient times, this could help people escape danger, but in modern times, it's mostly just anxiety, staying up late, or work stress, leaving energy with nowhere to go. As a result, insulin is forced to convert excess sugar into fat and store it, causing "stress-related obesity." Dr. Berger further points out that even if you are fasting or on a low-carb diet, blood sugar can still rise if you are under too much stress.
Cortisol causes muscle to turn into fat and also slows down metabolism.
When cortisol levels are consistently high, the body breaks down muscle protein and converts it into glucose for energy. This is why many middle-aged or menopausal women experience thinner thighs and a larger belly , even when they eat less.
After muscle loss, metabolism slows down, insulin sensitivity decreases, and fat is more easily stored. This ultimately creates a vicious cycle: higher stress → higher cortisol levels → more insulin → harder to lose fat.
Warning signs of high cortisol: waking up in the middle of the night, craving sugar, and impatience.
Dr. Berger reminds us that common signs of high cortisol include:
- I woke up suddenly around 2 or 3 a.m. and couldn't fall back asleep.
- I have a strong craving for sweets or starchy foods.
- Feeling anxious, irritable, or tired during the day
- Thigh and gluteal muscles shrink, abdominal fat increases
- High blood pressure, poor digestion, dull complexion
These are all signals that the body is experiencing "stress overload".
How to lower cortisol? Dr. Berger offers six key methods.
- Identify the source of stress and learn to let go. Whether it's work, interpersonal relationships, or internal anxiety, first clarify what's truly causing your tension.
- Get close to nature. ** Walking outdoors, gardening, or doing light physical labor can help reduce nervous tension.
- Supplement with vitamin B1 and vitamin D3 . ** These two nutrients can stabilize mood and maintain hormonal balance.**
- Consume potassium and magnesium. ** Both are natural calming minerals that help relax nerves and improve sleep.**
- Using apple cider vinegar can help "acidify" the body, improve alkalosis, and promote mineral absorption.
- Intermittent fasting and the ketogenic diet. ** Reduce insulin fluctuations and allow the body to gradually restore metabolic balance.**
Dr. Berger emphasizes that the real solution is not to rely on willpower to eat less, but to readjust at the hormonal level . When cortisol levels decrease and insulin levels stabilize, fat will naturally disappear.
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Slow down and let your body "dismount from battle mode".
Stress itself isn't evil, but being chronically stressed can trap the body in unseen chronic inflammation and obesity. Dr. Berg reminds us that a healthy body comes from a calm mind . Learning to relax, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, and ensuring adequate nutrition prevents the body from mistakenly believing it's "on the verge of collapse," thus enabling truly healthy weight loss.
YouTube source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a6NloyoI38
YouTube Column: Dr. Berger's Chinese Health Knowledge
