Real or Imagined... Stress Can Cause Imbalances

Sleep is a natural process that is essential for good health and proper hormonal balance. Hormonal changes can affect sleep patterns more as menopause approaches than during any other time in a woman's life. It can be difficult to determine whether a lack of sleep is caused by irregular hormone production or whether the disparity causes the hormone imbalance. Sleep studies have shown that women are more prone to sleep disturbances early in the night and often sleep better in the latter half of the night.

Cortisol Causes Insulin Resistance and Weight Gain

Stress, real or imagined, is your body's response to a threat and signals the release of adrenal hormone. Cortisol is known to cause weight gain and insulin resistance, as well other symptoms including:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
• Insulin excess and insulin resistance
• Carbohydrate and sugar cravings
• Metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes
• Fat deposits on the face, neck, and belly

Since cortisol goes up as perceived stress goes up, anything that triggers a negative mind state, such as frustration, worry, anger or anxiety, can contribute to cortisol hormone imbalance.

MRC Has Hormone Balancing Menu Plans

Whether you like it or not, hormones control your mood, digestion, energy, libido, metabolism and appearance. Basing meals off clean protein, hormone-balancing healthy fats, antioxidant-rich vegetables, and healing herbs will help your body thrive. The right supplements help your gut break down food into smaller particles, making it easier to process and absorb important nutrients. If you have had your gallbladder removed, your body may need supplements to help with fat absorption. Chronic high-cortisol production is linked to symptoms and ailments including weight gain, anxiety, sleep disorders, hormonal imbalances and many other problems.

Eliminating excess cortisol can help reset your insulin hormone production, so you don't store fat at the belly by raising your blood sugar unnecessarily. Contact Metabolic Research Center to learn more about hormone balancing menu plans.