Belly fat can sometimes be hard to burn off no matter how healthy your diet is or how much you exercise. Some health practitioners claim that this may be due to adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue is the term used to describe a group of symptoms that include muscle pain and tiredness. The diagnosis is somewhat controversial as it is not widely recognized medically. If you feel you may have adrenal fatigue, you should consult your doctor.
Adrenal Glands
The adrenal glands produce essential hormones that affect chemicals in the blood and the body's metabolism. Also nicknamed the stress glands, the adrenals can be triggered by emotional and chemical stress to release hormones that interact with the body's nervous system. The adrenal glands are responsible for the jolting feeling you get when you are nervous or scared. According to Disabled-World.com, problems arise when your nervous system is functioning in a state of excitement even when you are in a relaxed situation. For example, substances such as caffeine can stimulate the same body functions as fear. When the adrenals release hormones, the body is unable to distinguish whether the cause of their release is from fear or artificial triggers.
Cortisol
Cortisol is one of the hormones released when the body feels threatened. It controls swelling and inflammation when your body is under physical stress. During a period of stress, the adrenal glands release cortisol. Excess cortisol is stored as fat around the organs, often causing unwanted belly fat. This type of fat can be difficult to work off even if you have a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
Adrenal Fatigue
Dr. James Wilson coined the term "adrenal fatigue" in 1998 to refer to a group of symptoms caused by poor adrenal function. The symptoms include fatigue, trouble getting up in the morning, feeling stressed and generally run down, and feeling tired throughout the day. According to Wilson, it can occur during times of extreme stress and can also exacerbate other illnesses such as allergies and obesity.
Warning
Dr. Todd B. Nippoldt, an endocrinologist with the Mayo Clinic, warns that there is no medical evidence to support the claim that stress upon the adrenal glands causes adrenal fatigue. Nippoldt claims adrenal fatigue is not an accepted diagnosis and that the real cause of the symptoms may be other medical conditions, such as depression or fibromyalgia.
References
- AdrenalFatigue.org; Diet for Adrenal Fatigue; Dr. James L. Wilson
- Disabled-World.com; Stubborn Pounds and Belly Fat; Dr. Branden Evans; 2008
- University of New Mexico; Cortisol Connection: Tips on Managing Stress and Weight; Christine A. Maglione-Garves, et al.
- MayoClinic.com; Is There Such a Thing as Adrenal Fatigue?; Todd B. Nippoldt, M.D.
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