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By: The Hidden Epidemic of Sexual Health and What We Can Do
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Tempe 480.968.5673
Glendale 602.374.3374
Phoenix 602.441.3305
Chandler480.447.1165
How to Manage Stress Hormones and Support Healthy Weight Loss By: Stress. It’s an inevitable part of life. No matter what you do, you’re going to be affected by stress in some way. This stress can come from having too much on your plate; or from financial burdens. Or this
Stress. It’s an inevitable part of life. No matter what you do, you’re going to be affected by stress in some way. This stress can come from having too much on your plate; or from financial burdens. Or this stress may be perceived, meaning it comes from thoughts; maybe you’re a “what if” kind of person that spends a lot of time worrying about things that haven’t even happened (and probably won’t happen).
Either way, regardless of where the stress comes from, it can wreak havoc on your body.
At Valley Medical Weight Loss, we’ve helped over 80,000 patients across our Phoenix metro locations understand the crucial connection between stress, cortisol, and weight management. Through this experience, we’ve learned that managing stress hormones is often the missing piece in successful, sustainable weight loss.
Cortisol is often called the “stress hormone,” but it’s actually much more complex than that label suggests.
Cortisol’s essential functions:
When you’re stressed, your body increases its production of cortisol, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, metabolism, immune function, blood pressure, and your nervous system, just to name a few.
Normal cortisol functions:
The production and release of cortisol is important in keeping your body running as it should, but when the production gets out of hand, such as in times of prolonged stress, cortisol goes from helpful to harmful.
When cortisol helps:
Acute stress response:
Healthy cortisol = balanced body function
Chronic stress and elevated cortisol:
The issue isn’t cortisol itself it’s when cortisol levels remain elevated for extended periods due to chronic stress. This is when problems begin.
What causes chronically high cortisol:
External stressors:
Internal stressors:
Perceived stress: Your body can’t distinguish between real and perceived threats. Worrying about things that haven’t happened (and probably won’t happen) triggers the same cortisol response as actual danger.
When you have high cortisol levels for long periods of time, it can disrupt your thyroid and your blood sugar, contribute to brittle bones, and increase your blood pressure. It can also make it harder to think clearly, disrupt your sleep, and make it easier for you to get sick.
Metabolic disruption:
Cardiovascular effects:
Bone and muscle:
Immune system:
Brain function:
It can also make it harder to think clearly, disrupt your sleep, and make it easier for you to get sick.
Mood and mental health:
Sleep disruption:
High cortisol levels also promote the storage of fat, so it not only makes it easier to gain weight, but it makes it harder to lose weight too – especially around your midsection.
How cortisol causes weight gain:
Increased appetite:
Fat storage:
Metabolic slowdown:
Blood sugar dysregulation:
The stubborn belly fat connection:
Cortisol specifically promotes abdominal fat storage because fat cells in the midsection have more cortisol receptors than fat cells elsewhere. This is why stress often leads to weight gain around the middle, even if you’re not gaining weight elsewhere.
This type of visceral fat is particularly dangerous because it:
You may not be able to completely eliminate stress from your life (spoiler alert: this would actually be impossible), but you can take steps to reduce the effect that stress has on your body.
We’ve outlined some tips before, like meditation, yoga, exercise, and incorporating more fun into your life, but let’s explore these in more detail:
Meditation and mindfulness:
Benefits:
Getting started:
Yoga:
Benefits:
Types for stress reduction:
Exercise:
Benefits:
Best for cortisol management:
Read our guide on the best exercise for weight loss for more information.
Incorporating more fun:
Why it matters:
Ideas:
Sleep optimization:
Why it’s crucial:
Sleep hygiene tips:
Nutrition for cortisol management:
Foods that help:
Foods to limit:
Check out our GLP-1 diet plan for comprehensive nutrition guidance.
But we also have a little bit of a secret weapon for you: Cortisol Manager.
Cortisol Manager is a supplement produced by a company called Integrative Therapeutics, Inc. It contains a variety of natural substances, like ashwagandha, magnolia, and L-theanine, which not only reduce your perception of stress, but also help lower cortisol directly.
Key ingredients and their benefits:
What it is: An adaptogenic herb used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.
How it works:
Research shows:
What it is: Traditional Chinese medicine herb with calming properties.
How it works:
Benefits:
What it is: Amino acid found naturally in green tea.
How it works:
Benefits:
What it is: Phospholipid that supports brain cell function.
How it works:
Benefits:
Cortisol Manager can also help improve the symptoms of stress, boosting your immune function, allowing you to fall asleep faster and stay asleep, and improve the function of your nervous system.
Comprehensive benefits:
Stress reduction:
Sleep improvement:
Immune support:
Cognitive function:
Weight management support:
Mood enhancement:
Most people who take Cortisol Manager experience absolutely no negative side effects.
Generally well-tolerated:
Potential considerations:
Who should consult a doctor first:
Rare side effects:
Best practices:
Typical recommendation:
Why bedtime:
For best results, combine Cortisol Manager with:
Lifestyle modifications:
Other supplements (if appropriate):
Timeline:
Week 1:
Weeks 2-4:
**Months 2-3:**
Long-term (3+ months):
Individual variation:
Why managing cortisol matters for weight loss:
When cortisol is chronically elevated, weight loss becomes significantly more difficult even with perfect diet and exercise. By managing cortisol, you remove a major barrier to successful weight loss.
How Cortisol Manager supports weight loss:
Reduces stress eating:
Improves sleep:
Enhances metabolism:
Reduces inflammation:
Comprehensive approach:
If you’re one of the people who is bombarded by stress on a daily basis – and really, who isn’t? – you may want to try adding Cortisol Manager into your stress reduction routine.
Our programs include:
Why comprehensive approach works:
Cortisol Manager is one tool, but comprehensive stress management includes:
Daily practices:
Weekly habits:
Monthly check-ins:
Professional support:
Signs you may need more support:
Resources:
Sarah, 42, Tempe: “I didn’t realize how much stress was sabotaging my weight loss until I started working with Valley Medical. Adding Cortisol Manager to my routine, along with better sleep habits, finally helped me break through my plateau. I’ve lost 35 pounds and feel calmer than I have in years.”
Michael, 38, Phoenix: “As a business owner, stress was constant. I was gaining weight despite eating well and exercising. Cortisol Manager helped me sleep better, and suddenly the weight started coming off. Combined with the Premier Program, I’ve lost 50 pounds and my blood pressure is normal again.”
Jennifer, 55, Chandler: “Menopause and stress were a terrible combination. I was gaining belly fat no matter what I did. The team at Valley Medical helped me understand the cortisol connection. With Cortisol Manager, hormone therapy, and stress management techniques, I’ve lost 28 pounds and feel like myself again.”
How to get Cortisol Manager:
What to expect at your consultation:
Cost considerations:
Value beyond weight loss:
Subscribe for expert insights on building confidence, overcoming mental barriers, and achieving lasting weight loss success. Join patients who are transforming both body and mind.Join our newsletter for expert insights on treating melasma, hyperpigmentation, and other skin concerns. Our medical aesthetic team shares practical advice to help you achieve clear, radiant skin.
Supplement Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Program Disclaimer: Valley Medical Weight Loss does not guarantee outcomes. Programs are medically supervised, but results vary by individual. All treatments require evaluation and prescription by a licensed provider.
Medical Consultation: Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medications, or have existing health conditions.
Valley Medical Weight Loss has been helping individuals achieve their health and wellness goals for over 15 years, with more than 80,000 patients served across the Phoenix metro area. Our four convenient locations in Phoenix, Tempe, Glendale, and Chandler offer physician-supervised weight loss programs, advanced treatments, and personalized support all with transparent pricing and no hidden fees. We believe in making effective weight loss accessible, affordable, and sustainable for everyone. Learn more about our approach.
Don’t let stress stand in the way of your weight loss goals. Our medical team can help you develop a comprehensive plan that includes Cortisol Manager and other proven strategies.
Walk in today
Weight Loss Programs:
Supplements and Support:
Related Articles:
Additional Resources:
By Dr. Samuel Zuniga, ND
Valley Medical Weight Loss | Chandler, Arizona
Stress. It’s an inevitable part of life. No matter what you do, you’re going to be affected by stress in some way. This stress can come from having too much on your plate; or from financial burdens. Or this stress may be perceived, meaning it comes from thoughts; maybe you’re a “what if” kind of person that spends a lot of time worrying about things that haven’t even happened (and probably won’t happen).
Either way, regardless of where the stress comes from, it can wreak havoc on your body.
At Valley Medical Weight Loss, we’ve helped over 80,000 patients across our Phoenix metro locations understand the crucial connection between stress, cortisol, and weight management. Through this experience, we’ve learned that managing stress hormones is often the missing piece in successful, sustainable weight loss.
Cortisol is often called the “stress hormone,” but it’s actually much more complex than that label suggests.
Cortisol’s essential functions:
When you’re stressed, your body increases its production of cortisol, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, metabolism, immune function, blood pressure, and your nervous system, just to name a few.
Normal cortisol functions:
The production and release of cortisol is important in keeping your body running as it should, but when the production gets out of hand, such as in times of prolonged stress, cortisol goes from helpful to harmful.
When cortisol helps:
Acute stress response:
Healthy cortisol = balanced body function
Chronic stress and elevated cortisol:
The issue isn’t cortisol itself it’s when cortisol levels remain elevated for extended periods due to chronic stress. This is when problems begin.
What causes chronically high cortisol:
External stressors:
Internal stressors:
Perceived stress: Your body can’t distinguish between real and perceived threats. Worrying about things that haven’t happened (and probably won’t happen) triggers the same cortisol response as actual danger.
When you have high cortisol levels for long periods of time, it can disrupt your thyroid and your blood sugar, contribute to brittle bones, and increase your blood pressure. It can also make it harder to think clearly, disrupt your sleep, and make it easier for you to get sick.
Metabolic disruption:
Cardiovascular effects:
Bone and muscle:
Immune system:
Brain function:
It can also make it harder to think clearly, disrupt your sleep, and make it easier for you to get sick.
Mood and mental health:
Sleep disruption:
High cortisol levels also promote the storage of fat, so it not only makes it easier to gain weight, but it makes it harder to lose weight too – especially around your midsection.
How cortisol causes weight gain:
Increased appetite:
Fat storage:
Metabolic slowdown:
Blood sugar dysregulation:
The stubborn belly fat connection:
Cortisol specifically promotes abdominal fat storage because fat cells in the midsection have more cortisol receptors than fat cells elsewhere. This is why stress often leads to weight gain around the middle, even if you’re not gaining weight elsewhere.
This type of visceral fat is particularly dangerous because it:
You may not be able to completely eliminate stress from your life (spoiler alert: this would actually be impossible), but you can take steps to reduce the effect that stress has on your body.
We’ve outlined some tips before, like meditation, yoga, exercise, and incorporating more fun into your life, but let’s explore these in more detail:
Meditation and mindfulness:
Benefits:
Getting started:
Yoga:
Benefits:
Types for stress reduction:
Exercise:
Benefits:
Best for cortisol management:
Read our guide on the best exercise for weight loss for more information.
Incorporating more fun:
Why it matters:
Ideas:
Sleep optimization:
Why it’s crucial:
Sleep hygiene tips:
Nutrition for cortisol management:
Foods that help:
Foods to limit:
Check out our GLP-1 diet plan for comprehensive nutrition guidance.
But we also have a little bit of a secret weapon for you: Cortisol Manager.
Cortisol Manager is a supplement produced by a company called Integrative Therapeutics, Inc. It contains a variety of natural substances, like ashwagandha, magnolia, and L-theanine, which not only reduce your perception of stress, but also help lower cortisol directly.
Key ingredients and their benefits:
What it is: An adaptogenic herb used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.
How it works:
Research shows:
What it is: Traditional Chinese medicine herb with calming properties.
How it works:
Benefits:
What it is: Amino acid found naturally in green tea.
How it works:
Benefits:
What it is: Phospholipid that supports brain cell function.
How it works:
Benefits:
Cortisol Manager can also help improve the symptoms of stress, boosting your immune function, allowing you to fall asleep faster and stay asleep, and improve the function of your nervous system.
Comprehensive benefits:
Stress reduction:
Sleep improvement:
Immune support:
Cognitive function:
Weight management support:
Mood enhancement:
Most people who take Cortisol Manager experience absolutely no negative side effects.
Generally well-tolerated:
Potential considerations:
Who should consult a doctor first:
Rare side effects:
Best practices:
Typical recommendation:
Why bedtime:
For best results, combine Cortisol Manager with:
Lifestyle modifications:
Other supplements (if appropriate):
Timeline:
Week 1:
Weeks 2-4:
**Months 2-3:**
Long-term (3+ months):
Individual variation:
Why managing cortisol matters for weight loss:
When cortisol is chronically elevated, weight loss becomes significantly more difficult even with perfect diet and exercise. By managing cortisol, you remove a major barrier to successful weight loss.
How Cortisol Manager supports weight loss:
Reduces stress eating:
Improves sleep:
Enhances metabolism:
Reduces inflammation:
Comprehensive approach:
If you’re one of the people who is bombarded by stress on a daily basis – and really, who isn’t? – you may want to try adding Cortisol Manager into your stress reduction routine.
Our programs include:
Why comprehensive approach works:
Cortisol Manager is one tool, but comprehensive stress management includes:
Daily practices:
Weekly habits:
Monthly check-ins:
Professional support:
Signs you may need more support:
Resources:
Sarah, 42, Tempe: “I didn’t realize how much stress was sabotaging my weight loss until I started working with Valley Medical. Adding Cortisol Manager to my routine, along with better sleep habits, finally helped me break through my plateau. I’ve lost 35 pounds and feel calmer than I have in years.”
Michael, 38, Phoenix: “As a business owner, stress was constant. I was gaining weight despite eating well and exercising. Cortisol Manager helped me sleep better, and suddenly the weight started coming off. Combined with the Premier Program, I’ve lost 50 pounds and my blood pressure is normal again.”
Jennifer, 55, Chandler: “Menopause and stress were a terrible combination. I was gaining belly fat no matter what I did. The team at Valley Medical helped me understand the cortisol connection. With Cortisol Manager, hormone therapy, and stress management techniques, I’ve lost 28 pounds and feel like myself again.”
How to get Cortisol Manager:
What to expect at your consultation:
Cost considerations:
Value beyond weight loss:
Subscribe for expert insights on building confidence, overcoming mental barriers, and achieving lasting weight loss success. Join patients who are transforming both body and mind.Join our newsletter for expert insights on treating melasma, hyperpigmentation, and other skin concerns. Our medical aesthetic team shares practical advice to help you achieve clear, radiant skin.
Supplement Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Program Disclaimer: Valley Medical Weight Loss does not guarantee outcomes. Programs are medically supervised, but results vary by individual. All treatments require evaluation and prescription by a licensed provider.
Medical Consultation: Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medications, or have existing health conditions.
Valley Medical Weight Loss has been helping individuals achieve their health and wellness goals for over 15 years, with more than 80,000 patients served across the Phoenix metro area. Our four convenient locations in Phoenix, Tempe, Glendale, and Chandler offer physician-supervised weight loss programs, advanced treatments, and personalized support all with transparent pricing and no hidden fees. We believe in making effective weight loss accessible, affordable, and sustainable for everyone. Learn more about our approach.
Don’t let stress stand in the way of your weight loss goals. Our medical team can help you develop a comprehensive plan that includes Cortisol Manager and other proven strategies.
Walk in today
Weight Loss Programs:
Supplements and Support:
Related Articles:
Additional Resources:
By: The Hidden Epidemic of Sexual Health and What We Can Do
By: Health and wellness technology has exploded in recent years. From smartwatches
How to Stay Motivated with Slow Weight Loss By: You’re doing everything
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