The adrenal glands secrete the hormone cortisol as a reaction to stress and in conjunction with sleep-wake patterns. One of the functions of cortisol is to trigger a glucocorticoid effect--helping the body produce blood sugar from proteins. Excess glucose is then used for lipogenesis (fat production). Thus, numerous research has linked oversecretion of cortisol with obesity and increased fat storage in the body.1-4

Cortisol may also play a role in poor eating habits. Recently, researchers exploring eating disorders found that women who secreted higher levels of cortisol while under stress had a much greater tendency to snack on high-fat foods than did women who did not secrete as much cortisol in reaction to the same stressful event.5

In contrast, research shows that DHEA, another adrenal hormone, exhibits an anti-obesity effect by decreasing fat tissue, excess insulin, and food intake.5-7 Another study found that daily oral administration of DHEA to healthy men over a period of 4 weeks resulted in a 31% decrease in body fat and lowered cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, without affecting other lipid parameters or glucose levels.8 Proper adrenal function is also necessary to convert the T4 to T3 (active thyroid hormone). Consequently, adrenal dysfunction can lead to hypothyroidism, lowered metabolic rate, and weight gain.

The Adrenocortex Stress Profile measures levels of both hormones DHEA and cortisol, providing a comprehensive picture of how adrenal imbalances may be influencing obesity and/or weight gain.Call to set up a nutritional consultation so that tests can be performed and a comprehensive strategy of lifestyle, dietary modification and nutrient supplementation can be implemented to aid you in reversing this disorder.

For an appointment, contact our office at: 800-956-7083 or 818 707-3126.

Dr. Rispoli, Ph.D., L.Ac. has had a clinical practice for over 20 years. Her programs work because she is so thorough in testing and providing a nutritional approach. Remember that the body can heal itself if given the proper nutrients.

All lab tests can be done through the mail in the privacy of your own home, except blood tests, we send you to a lab to have your blood drawn for these. After you pay for the test we mail you the kit, the results take two weeks, the test results will be mailed to us and we will call you to go over the results, its that easy! All tests include the consultation for the report of findings.

References

1 Miller JE, et al. Characterization of 24-h cortisol
release in obese and non-obese hyperandrogenic
women. Gynecol Endocrin 1994;8:247-254.

2 Maarin P, Darin N, Amemiya T, Andersson B, Jern S,
BjAorntorp P. Cortisol secretion in relation to body fat
distribution in obese premenopausal women.
Metabolism 1992;41(8):882-6.

3 Ljung T, Andersson B, Bengtsson BA, BjAorntorp P,
Maarin P. Inhibition of cortisol secretion by
dexamethasone in relation to body fat distribution: a
dose-response study. Obes Res 1996;4(3):277-82.

4 Pasquali R, Anconetani B, Chattat R, Biscotti M, Spinucci G, Casimirri F, et. al.
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and its relationship to the autonomic nervous system in women with visceral and subcutaneous obesity:
Effects of the corticotropin-releasing factor/arginine vasopressin test and of stress. Metabolism
1996;45(3):351-6.

5 Women's high-fat snacking during stress due to hormones? Arizona Republic 1998;April 5:A3.

6 Bird CE, Masters V, Clark AF.
Dehydroepiandrosterone and androsterone sulphates,
androstenedione and urinary androgen metabolites in normal young men and women. Clin Invest Med
1984;7:119-122.

7 Cleary MP, Zisk JF. Anti-obesity of two different levels of dehydroepiandrosterone in lean and obese middle-aged female zucker rats. Int J Obesity
1986;10:193-204.

8 Gansler T, Meller S, Cleary J. Chronic administration of dehydroepiandrosterone reduces pancreatic B-cell hyperplasia and hyperinsulinemia in genetically obese
zucker rats. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1985;180:155-162.