To lose weight, you need not only to eat right and exercise. The quality of sleep plays a great role in this process.
Endocrinologist, Doctor of Medical Sciences Zukhra Pavlova explained how watching an interesting program before bed can contribute to excess weight gain.
It's about cortisol and melatonin.
According to the specialist, the effect of cortisol decreases in the evening, which allows melatonin to release. Melatonin triggers the work of growth hormone. It “opens up the fat depot that feeds us at night and prevents that fat from accumulating excessively.”
—If you turn on an interesting program closer to bedtime, you have reactivated cortisol. There is cortisol – no melatonin, no growth hormone, and so on– the doctor wrote in her blog.
If a person goes to bed late, he will always struggle with excess weight, because growth hormone will not be able to actively use it at night. During the day you will eat too much to perk up.
Cortisol and melatonin are two hormones that play an important role in the body.
Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal cortex in response to stressful situations. It plays a key role in regulating metabolism, the immune system, and the stress response. Cortisol can raise blood sugar levels, increase the breakdown of proteins and fats, and suppress inflammatory responses. High cortisol levels over a long period of time can be associated with a variety of health problems, including increased appetite, weight gain, decreased immunity and sleep disturbances.
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain. It plays an important role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin helps control the body's internal clock and maintains regular sleep-wake patterns. Melatonin production typically increases in the dark and decreases in bright light. Melatonin has antioxidant properties and may have an effect on the immune system.
How else can cortisol affect a person's weight?
Appetite. Cortisol increases appetite, especially for carbohydrates. This can lead to excess food intake and ultimately weight gain.
Fat storage. High levels of cortisol can contribute to the accumulation of fat in the body, especially in the abdominal area. This is due to the fact that cortisol can stimulate the process of lipogenesis – fat formation.
Metabolism. Cortisol can affect metabolism and blood glucose levels. Elevated cortisol levels can reduce the body's sensitivity to insulin, which can lead to metabolic problems and weight gain.
Stress eating. A temporary increase in cortisol levels in the body can cause stress eating, when people turn to food as a way to cope with stress or emotional problems.
Read also: Oncologist surgeon Karasev calls lack of energy a possible sign of cancer
>You can also read: Gastroenterologist Vyalov warned about the special danger of beer for the stomach
Read further: Doctors called a constantly bloated stomach the main sign of the “silent” type of cancer
Important! Information is provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first signs of illness, consult a doctor.