It's Not Just What You Eat - It's What You Secrete
Noel Peterson, N.D.
For me, figuring out the causes of obesity in my patients has always been a challenge. So many factors besides diet and exercise are at work. For example, the same 1800 calories can cause fat cells to shrink in one person, while another on the same diet will gain weight. I've always been fascinated by the subject of fat meta-bolism, and have tried to follow the work of scientists who are investigating the key hormonal mechanisms under-lying chronic weight gain. A recent issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (1998;83[5]:1467-71,1477-84, 1806-09) includes three landmark studies which implicate the adrenal hormone cortisol, and Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1) imbalances in the etiology of obesity).
Dr. Ruth Andrew and her colleagues at the University of Edinburgh Department of Medicine looked at the relationship between cortisol metabolism and obesity in middle-aged men and women . We've know that hypersecretion of the adrenal hormone cortisol is a well-established cause of increased fat deposits around the central region of the body, relatively thin arms and legs with an obese trunk. What her investigation revealed is that cortisol is both cause and effect in obesity, i.e., obesity itself appears to alter the metabolism of cortisol in the body, and leads to higher cortisol levels in target tissues, which increases body fat, which increases cortisol, and so on.
In effect, then, obesity causes more obesity, by throwing the body's cortisol metabolism perpetually out of whack. Even stress can increase cortisol levels, and in susceptible individuals, cause an increase in characteristic fat deposits. Interestingly, a recent unpublished pre-liminary study from Yale University also implicates high levels of cortisol in the tendency for women to snack on high-fat foods during times of stress. So perhaps "stress eating" has a hormonal cause.
Meanwhile, another study in the same issue of JCEM focused on the impact of growth hormone on obesity. Researchers from Stanford University examined whether administration of growth hormone (GH) provided additional benefit for obese post menopausal women on a 12-week diet and exercise program. Results from this double-blind randomized study revealed increased fat loss from GH.
The third study on hormones and obesity, conducted by a team of investigators from Yale University, analyzed the possible biochemical triggers (specific binding proteins) that may serve to suppress total insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) levels in obese children and adolescents.
For individuals who display the typical obese trunk and thin extremities pattern associated with over secretion of cortisol, we can help develop health enhancing weight loss strategies that address the imbalances in cortisol. By providing specific hormone tests, we can assess your metabolic profile and can tailor your hormonal and dietary program to fit your specific metabolic needs. Together we can help you develop health enhancing weight loss strategies.