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Cortisol and Insulin: The Weight Loss Connection

Posted On: April 6, 2024

Cortisol and Insulin: The Weight Loss Connection

Cortisol and insulin are two hormones that play a complex role in weight management. Here's a breakdown of their functions and how they interact with weight loss:

Cortisol

This hormone is often referred to as the stress hormone. Released by the adrenal gland, high cortisol levels indicate various stressors, which may be physical or psychological. It helps regulate blood sugar levels, metabolism, and immune function

Cortisol and the Stress Response

When you perceive a threat, your body enters "fight-or-flight" mode. This is an automatic response that helps you deal with danger. As part of this response, your adrenal glands release cortisol. Cortisol increases your heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. It also redirects blood flow away from nonessential functions, such as digestion, to your muscles so that you can prepare to fight or flee.

Normal Cortisol Levels

Cortisol levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day. They are highest in the morning when you wake up and help to give you the energy you need to start your day. Cortisol levels then gradually decline throughout the day and are lowest at night.

Chronic Stress and Cortisol

If you are under chronic stress, your cortisol levels may remain elevated for long periods. This can have several negative health consequences, including:

  • Weight gain
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Impaired memory and concentration
  • Weakened immune system
  • High blood pressure
  • Increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes

How to Manage Cortisol Levels

For some people, weight loss medication may not be the right option. Here are some alternative approaches to consider:You can do several things to manage your cortisol levels and reduce the negative effects of stress. These include:

  • Exercise regularly
  • Get enough sleep
  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Practice relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation
  • Spend time in nature
  • Limit caffeine and alcohol intake

Insulin

Insulin is a critical hormone produced by your pancreas, specifically in the beta cells. It acts like a key that unlocks the doors to your cells, allowing glucose (sugar) from your bloodstream to enter. Glucose is the main source of energy for your body's cells.


Here's how insulin affects your body:

  • Blood Sugar Regulation: After you eat, especially carbohydrates, your blood sugar levels rise. In response, your pancreas releases insulin. Insulin attaches to receptors on your cells, allowing glucose to enter and be used for energy. This action helps lower your blood sugar levels back to a healthy range.
  • Energy Production: Once glucose enters your cells with the help of insulin, it can be used for immediate energy needs.
  • Storage for Later: If your body doesn't need the glucose right away, insulin also promotes its storage. The liver and muscles store glucose as glycogen, a readily available energy source.
  • Energy Production: When there's excess glucose beyond glycogen capacity, insulin signals fat cells to absorb and store it as triglycerides.

Maintaining Blood Sugar Balance

Insulin works with another hormone, glucagon, to maintain balanced blood sugar levels. Glucagon, produced by the alpha cells of the pancreas, has the opposite effect of insulin. It raises blood sugar levels when they drop too low. This delicate interplay keeps your blood sugar within a healthy range.

When Insulin Doesn't Work Properly

Problems arise when your body either doesn't produce enough insulin or your cells become resistant to its effects. This can lead to diabetes, a condition where blood sugar levels become chronically elevated. There are two main types of diabetes:

  • Type 1 Diabetes: In this autoimmune disease, the body attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells, leading to a deficiency.
  • Type 2 Diabetes: This type is more common. The body may still produce insulin, but the cells become resistant to its effects, or the pancreas may not produce enough to overcome this resistance.

Management of Insulin and Blood Sugar

People with diabetes may need to take supplemental insulin injections or medications to help manage their blood sugar levels. Maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight management are also crucial aspects of diabetes management.

The Connection

There's a two-way street between cortisol and insulin. Chronically high cortisol levels can contribute to insulin resistance, making it harder to manage blood sugar and potentially leading to weight gain. Weight loss itself can also help lower cortisol levels and improve insulin sensitivity.

Conclusion

While directly targeting cortisol for weight loss isn't advisable (cortisol is vital for many bodily functions), managing stress through healthy habits like exercise, relaxation techniques, and sufficient sleep can indirectly help regulate cortisol levels and potentially support your weight loss goals.

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Let us take a guess - you've been looking for the best way to lose weight with weight loss medications and stumbled upon DooU. You've never heard of DooU, but you'd like to make sure we are a legitimate company before using DooU services.

Your skepticism is valid; Getting prescription medications online through a telehealth company is still a new way to access healthcare; In Canada, the telemedicine market was valued at $4.8 billion in 2022 and is predicted to grow annually 18% from 2022 to 2030. Over the past several years, more Canadians have opted for virtual healthcare to seek help with non-emergency concerns. It is effective, affordable, and convenient, plus it offers a level of privacy that some people may prefer over going to a doctor's clinic.

Since it is a new way to access healthcare, it is understandable to be cautious; Your health is being put into someone else's hands! There are reports of many telehealth and online pharmacies being fake in Canada, making it difficult to know who to trust.

This is where DooU comes in. At DooU, our doctor-led team provides affordable and safe online healthcare across Canada. We offer online healthcare visits with licensed Canadian practitioners and fill all prescriptions through our accredited Canadian pharmacy partner, approved by National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).

You might be wondering, Is DooU legit? How do I know that DooU is properly certified to be providing healthcare? Our patient care and trust is our utmost priority, and we are proud to be certified by LegitScript to provide telemedicine services within Canada. The LegitScript Certification is provided to legitimate telemedicine providers, like DooU, that comply with all applicable laws and required standards for legality, safety, and transparency.


Posted On: October 11, 2024

Comprehensive Guide to Mounjaro Weight Loss Medication in Canada

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Weight loss - a challenging and frustrating journey millions of Canadians embark on every year. Nationally, obesity rates are rising alarmingly with two in three adults and one in three children being overweight or living with obesity. There are multiple health problems related to excess body weight, such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. While a healthy diet and exercise is highly recommended to lose and maintain weight, some individuals may need additional help to achieve their ideal goals to lose weight. This is where weight loss medications can come into the mix.


Weight loss medications are prescription medications provided by a physician that reduce or control excess body weight. Since they require a prescription from a doctor, patients will need regular and consistent monitoring to ensure progress and optimal health. Prescription weight loss medications are not intended to be used in place of a healthy diet and exercise, but alongside. This is also imperative for post-treatment care to prevent weight gain.


There are many prescription medications available, with Ozempic and Wegovy most well-known for their powerful effects on weight loss and weight management. However, these medications have the active ingredient semaglutide, which may not be appropriate for every individual. That's where Mounjaro comes in. This comprehensive guide will delve into everything you need to know about Mounjaro in Canada, from its benefits and side effects to how you can access it, ensuring that you're fully informed before making any decisions regarding your weight loss journey.

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