Many of us face weight problems on a regular basis. Everywhere an individual goes and looks, there are advertisements on how to lose weight and consequently become healthier. The ultimate goal and goal of any weight loss regimen should be to become healthier overall. Blood sugar dysregulation causes multiple health problems in addition to metabolic problems. This document will address several health-related questions and the corresponding articles from which the information is derived. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayThe hormones implicated in the weight gain response of some individuals when they are stressed are adrenaline, norepinephrine, epinephrine, CRH, and cortisol. Initially, adrenaline kicks in to help deal with the problem in a fight-or-flight response. Afterwards, “cortisol, known as the “stress hormone,” sticks around and begins to signal the body to replenish its food supplies” (Greenberg, 2013). The stressors that activate these hormones are everything that causes us stress on a daily basis. They range from how we will pay our bills, to getting low grades, to being yelled at by a boss, or even an upcoming exam. Anything that causes worry, upset or anxiety in an individual could trigger this hormonal response. “Cortisol directly affects fat accumulation and weight gain in stressed individuals” (Maglione-Garves, Kravits, & Schneider. n.d.). Cortisol is created, thus increasing appetite and fat storage. According to Greenberg, this is because our ancestors, years ago, would have been stressed by lack of food or being attacked, and would have needed to store more fat to survive. At this point, people essentially just become more overweight as we no longer need to store extra fat and energy to forage for our food. When people are stressed, they tend to reach for comfort foods, which are typically high in sugar and fat. By binging on these types of foods when an individual is stressed, they tend to store more fat and it is more difficult to lose the weight gained as a result. According to Michael Randall, in his article in the Dartmouth Undergraduate Science Journal, the pathway in response to stress is a little more complex and different than in previous articles. According to this author, CRH is transported to the anterior pituitary gland, where corticotropin is secreted, which in turn increases the production of corticosteroids, such as cortisol. Vasopressin increases the reabsorption of water by the kidneys and, in turn, increases the constriction of blood vessels, which in turn activates the hypothalamus gland. “In summary, the hypothalamus releases CRH and vasopressin, which activate the HPA axis. CRH stimulates the anterior pituitary to release corticotropin, which travels through the bloodstream to the adrenal cortex, where corticotropin then increases cortisol production” (Randall, 2011). Stressors that affect the relationship between cortisol and insulin are any situations that occur in which an individual does not respond appropriately. There are several health risks that occur in the relationship between cortisol and insulin. Some of which are a lowered immune system, thus making an individual more susceptible to illness and disease. Decreased thyroid function, accumulation of abdominal fat which could lead to cardiovascular problems and lower levels of overall health. The health risks are generally the same when associated with stress, although the author of the article.
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