Find out why stress shifts you into carb burn

Oct 8, 2024, 2:07 PM•lumen

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Why chronic stress pushes
you into carb burn

Despite its notorious reputation as the stress hormone, healthy cortisol spikes actually help us manage stressful situations. Cortisol gives us the burst of energy needed before a big presentation or to ace an exam.

As cortisol rises, it tells your mitochondria, your cells’ powerhouses, to switch to carbs to power your body quickly. This short-term spike is normal. However, constantly elevated cortisol can tax your mitochondria and cause them to become overdependent on carbs for fuel, forgetting how to burn fat.

Balance your cortisol

Here’s the good news!

You can manage your stress and keep
your cortisol in check by:

Taking regular walks

Meditating

Doing activities you enjoy

Cutting back on caffeine

Eating foods rich in serotonin, like salmon and nuts

Limiting alcohol consumption

This allows your mitochondria to function optimally, using carbs and fats efficiently to keep you energized. Check out this video to learn more about how cortisol interacts with your metabolism.

Watch now

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