Why Stress Might Make Losing Weight More Difficult (According To Science)
Why Stress Could Stop You From Losing Weight
Rachel Moss— The Huffington Post UK
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If you're finding it difficult to lose weight, your stress levels may be to blame.
A new study has found that chronic stress stimulates the production of a protein called betatrophin, which reduces our ability to break down fat.
As a result, weight loss becomes more difficult - even if you are trying hard to eat healthy food.
While the study only analysed the links between betatrophin and weight loss/gain in mice, the authors said the findings may provide an insight into why some people find weight loss harder than others.
The researchers, from the University of Florida Health, found that high levels of betatrophin suppress an enzyme that breaks down stored fat called adipose triglyceride lipase.
Commenting on the findings, lead study author Li-Jun Yang confirmed: "Betatrophin reduces the body’s ability to break down fat, underscoring a link between chronic stress and weight gain."
The researchers found that having high levels of cortisol made participants feel more hungry than others, leading to them consuming more food and gaining weight.
They also noted that cortisol is known to stimulate the deposit of fat around the stomach area.
Listen to Mozart. (credit:Imagno via Getty Images)
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Try some aromatherapy. One 2009 study found it's an effective stress-relief technique, especially for high school students. (credit:Media for Medical via Getty Images)
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Let out a laugh. (credit:Tara Moore via Getty Images)
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Get a massage. (credit:Glenn Asakawa via Getty Images)
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Give someone a big hug. (credit:The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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Belt it out at karaoke... (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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...Or sing in your church choir. (credit:George Frey via Getty Images)
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Do a small project or craft. (credit:Cavan Images via Getty Images)
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Take up knitting. Research shows the activity puts your brain in a state of flow similar to the one achieved through meditation. (credit:Loic Lagarde via Getty Images)
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Speaking of which, try a little mindfulness meditation. (credit:Peathegee Inc via Getty Images)
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Have sex. (credit:Alexander Nicholson via Getty Images)
Float in water. (credit:Taylor Weidman via Getty Images)
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Sleep. Not only is it crucial to zapping stress, it's key to your daily happiness. "When we're exhausted, we drag ourselves through the day instead of enjoying the day," HuffPost president and editor-in-chief Arianna Huffington once said. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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De-clutter your home or your desk. (credit:Jonathan Kitchen via Getty Images)
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Become a morning person. (Or at least embrace the morning.) (credit:keepps/Flickr)
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Spend time around horses. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Let out a deep sigh... (credit:christian.plochacki via Getty Images)
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...Or a primal scream. (credit:Ben Richardson via Getty Images)
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Make a silly face. (credit:JTSiemer via Getty Images)
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Close your eyes, even for just a few moments. (But don't do it while you're driving.) (credit:Eveline Kooijman via Getty Images)
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Brush your hair. (credit:Alexandra Wyman/Invision/AP)
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Do something nice for someone else. Good karma and less stress? Win. (credit:Ascent Xmedia via Getty Images)
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Give yourself some quiet time. (credit:Westend61 - Hans Huber via Getty Images)
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Write your thoughts on a piece of paper, then physically throw them out. (credit:Tetra Images via Getty Images)
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Stare at the color blue. (credit:thor_mark /Flickr)
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Look at old photographs. (credit:Vasiliki Varvaki via Getty Images)
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Set "stress boundaries." If someone -- or something -- is starting to stress you out, step away from the situation. (credit:Martin Barraud via Getty Images)