Cortisol’s Hidden Role in Your Weight Loss Struggles Revealed

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The relationship between cortisol and fat burning is more . While chronically elevated cortisol does impair fat metabolism, the connection isn’t as straightforward as the headline suggests.

When cortisol remains high for extended periods, your body shifts toward burning carbohydrates for fuel rather than fat. Your mitochondria become less efficient at switching between burning carbs and fats—a process called metabolic flexibility. Additionally, chronically elevated cortisol promotes visceral fat storage (especially in the abdomen) and increases cravings for high-fat and sugary foods, making weight loss more difficult.

Research shows the cortisol-weight loss relationship depends on multiple factors including your current weight, lifestyle, calorie intake, and exercise. Interestingly, some studies found that initial elevated cortisol from calorie restriction didn’t prevent weight loss—it actually may have improved it. The stressors causing cortisol elevation might matter more than cortisol itself for weight outcomes.

The evidence suggests that while chronic stress and elevated cortisol can interfere with fat burning and promote belly fat accumulation, cortisol is just one factor among many influencing metabolism and weight loss.