Stress hormones produce obesity

Studies: Stress hormones do not look good

21.03.2011

So far, adipose tissue was considered an inactive, passive mass. However, modern laboratory diagnostics makes it clear: fat tissue is very active and actively participates in the metabolism, especially the fat located in the abdomen. Obesity is accordingly not overweight and excess kilos alone say less about a possible health risk than expected. The individual fat distribution pattern is crucial for the development of serious illnesses. An excessive waist circumference represents the most important risk factor of the metabolic syndrome, the development of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

Pear figure or apple type
People with so-called „pears Figure“ Although they carry the same excess pounds on the hips and buttocks with them, they are less endangered than the health „apple type“, where the waist visibly overhangs. The previously used body mass index (BMI) is only of limited suitability for the assessment of the health risk of obesity. It only shows the relationship between body size and body mass, but gives no indication of how the fat is distributed in the body. As is often the case, our hormones play a role not only in the storage of fat, but also in the distribution of fat.

When stressed, the body releases the hormone cortisol
In stressful situations, for example, the body releases not only adrenaline but also the hormone cortisol, which is supposed to prepare our organism for battle or flight due to evolution. Modern life increasingly means constant stress - noticed or unnoticed. Appointments, telephone calls, computer work and personal leisure time stress after work or in the family result in a constantly increased cortisol level. Too much cortisol makes you fat. It mainly promotes the dangerous inner abdominal fat, whose cells are due to many receptors particularly well able to bind cortisol. The result: The stomach grows secretly, quietly and quietly.

Studies on belly fat
The adrenals are the ones that produce the hormones - in this case the cortisol. The 11thβ-HSD-1 enzyme is a key to cortisol metabolism because it converts inactive cortisone into active cortisol. Increased activity of the 11ß-HSD-1 enzyme thus simultaneously increases cortisol levels and, as a result, fat deposition. „A vicious circle that explains the onset of metabolic syndrome, the interplay of obesity, hypertension and diabetes mellitus“, states laboratory doctor Ralf Kirkamm. In numerous studies, among other Swedish scientists succeeded in showing that in the belly fat of overweight men larger amounts of 11β-HSD-1 enzyme, which resulted in an increase in fat storage in the abdomen, which was the typical „apple figure“ leads. In people with an android fat distribution („Apple form "), the fat lies within the abdominal cavity and spreads around the internal organs. About 80 percent of men are affected.„The majority of body fat accumulates around the hips, thighs and buttocks, and the abdominal girth as a measure of fat distribution is easy to measure Waist circumference of 80 cm, for men from 94 cm The German Society of Nutrition (DGE) defines the fat distribution by dividing the waist by the hip circumference, for example: 90 cm (waist) divided by 107 cm (hip) results T / H ratio of 0.84 Women should expect increased health risks from a T / H ratio of 0.85, according to DGE.

Urine test can provide information about therapy options
Whether excessive cortisol levels due to increased activity of the 11ß-HSD-1 enzyme favor fat storage is shown by a simple urine test. The laboratory result provides information about the activity of the 11ß-HSD-1 enzyme and shows targeted therapeutic options, e.g. with the extract of licorice root (glycyrrhizic acid). Strong overweight, however, is questionable in any case - whether in apple or pear shape. (Pm)

Also read:
Study: Bone atrophy due to abdominal fat?
OECD: Every sixth German is obese
Causes of genetic overweight

Picture: Gerd Altmann