Weight and hormones are usually linked together, and this is because hormones play a huge role in controlling our weight. Hormones are produced and released from our endocrine system, which is important for our body to function efficiently. When there is an excess of visceral fats, it produces hormonal and inflammatory markers. This causes an imbalance that affects mood, eating habits, weight, and brain function.
High levels of visceral fat can increase insulin resistance, which may lead to glucose intolerance. Additionally, persistently elevated cortisol level produces glucose, leading to increased blood sugar levels. Apart from wreaking havoc to our hormones, excess visceral fats can also increase insulin resistance and this leads to glucose intolerance.
Do you know that stress and visceral fats are interrelated?
Cortisol is the main stress hormone in the body that is produced from the adrenal gland and released into the blood. When facing constant stress and anxiety, your body works with the brain to release cortisol. Typically, the cortisol level would reduce after the experience of pressure or threat is gone but it may get out of hand sometimes. When the body produces too much cortisol, it triggers the storage of visceral fats more. According to science, this hormone cortisol leads to the accumulation of visceral fat by increasing unnecessary food cravings. It also restrains the “fat hormones” that work to regulate and control fats in the body, which causes our body to store more fats than it actually needs.
Not only that, but it will also lead to rapid weight gain in the abdominal area, muscle weakness, diabetes, and other health problems.
Did you know that irregular eating habits can actually increase cortisol levels as well? But worry not! There is a way to reverse this by practicing healthy balanced diets at regular hours and paying more attention to sugar intake.
Now the question is, when’s the best time to eat all our 3 meals?
Breakfast: Take within an hour of waking to avoid snacking by mid-morning. Doctors have recommended taking breakfast early in the morning to prevent the body from feeling drained the whole day.
Lunch: Should be taken 4-5 hours after breakfast and no later than 4 pm. Lunch should be a lighter meal than breakfast and dinner to heighten your mid-day brainpower.
Dinner: The ideal time to eat is to have a 4-5 hour gap between lunch and dinner but you can get a healthy snack in between. Keep in mind that the longer you give your body between your last meal and your bedtime, the better.
While practicing healthy eating habits might help lose some amount of visceral fats in the body, there is an easier alternative to fight them.