As a hormone produced by the adrenal gland, cortisol is released by the body to respond to stress and low levels of blood glucocorticoids. This is where the cortisol and metabolic syndrome connection comes into play. Cortisol metabolizes glucose and increases blood sugar. It’s also involved with the body’s insulin usage, immune system, inflammatory response and blood pressure regulation. Medical research links stress and obesity to the production of cortisol. When a person experiences stress, cortisol is released, telling the cells to create more glucose (to respond to the body’s sudden needs) rather than store energy. This means higher blood sugar and added fat, making it almost impossible for an obese person who is experiencing stress to lose weight. In the case of chronic stress, where there is an over-production of cortisol, metabolic syndrome is a likely result, which may develop into diabetes.
