Low Carb Diet

Low-Carb Diet Increases Cortisol LevelsCortisol is a critically important stress hormone secreted by the adre­nal glands. Cortisol increases during fasting, eating, physical activity and psychological stress, where it helps regulate fat, carbohydrate and pro­tein metabolism. During stress, corti­sol promotes fat release from outly­ing fat cells and stimulates protein breakdown to help maintain blood sugar. It also promotes fat storage in the abdomen. The composition of the diet influences cortisol levels. A study from University of Edinburgh in Scotland found that a low-carbohy­drate diet prevented the metabolic breakdown of cortisol, which elevat­ed levels of the hormone. In spite of elevated cortisol, people following a low-aarbohydrate diet lost more weight than those eating a mixed diet (moderate levels of carbohy­drates and fats). The role of cortisol in obesity and weight loss is compli­cated and it is often misrepresented on late-night television commercials