An MD in Nutrition Reveals: This Overlooked Stress Hormone Might Be Sabotaging Your Weight Loss Efforts

If you’re 45 and over, managing weight becomes more challenging with each passing year. 

No matter what your figure was like in your twenties or thirties, the weight keeps building up as you age, no matter what you do. 

“It makes sense when you think about it. As you age, your body composition changes, slowing down your metabolism. 

However, hormonal changes can also contribute to weight gain, making it more prevalent with age,” says Dr. Jane Smith, an MD in Nutrition and Dietology. 

According to the experts, both men and women undergo hormonal changes.¹ 

However, recent studies have shown that it’s not only estrogen and testosterone that fluctuates when you grow older.² 

There’s another seemingly unrelated hormone that experts have overlooked for years, which contributes to fatigue, joint pain, low libido, and, of course, weight gain.

“I want to explain how rebalancing this overlooked hormone can transform your health and unlock the secret to managing age-related weight gain once and for all,” says Dr. Jane Smith.

But first, it’s essential to understand why “eating less and moving more” no longer works after 45  

When it comes to weight loss, many middle-aged people get caught in an endless weight-loss loop. 

“As we age, our bodies don’t respond to weight loss efforts like they used to. We naturally tend to gain weight, to the tune of 1 to 2 pounds per year.³ 

That may not seem like much, but over time, it can lead to significant weight gain and, in some cases, even obesity,” explains Dr. Jane Smith.  

According to the expert, it’s not that middle-aged people are doing something wrong or trying less.

The primary factor for women is menopause and perimenopause. It causes a significant drop in estrogen levels, leading to extra fat being stored around the belly.⁴

Another common sign of menopause is mood swings, which can influence your lifestyle and nutritional choices. 

Men, on the other hand, experience a significant drop in testosterone after the age of 40.

Testosterone is responsible for regulating fat distribution and muscle mass. Lower testosterone levels reduce the body’s ability to burn calories, leading to weight gain.⁵

So, despite eating healthy and staying active, the pounds still won’t come off. 

This means that there’s another hidden hormone that gets triggered with age and affects your body’s immune responses. 

“This hormone plays a crucial role in weight loss struggles for middle-aged people, and understanding how to manage it can be the key to unlocking successful weight management,” shares the expert. 

Revealing the hidden culprit and the mystery behind hormonal weight gain

“The problem is that your cortisol levels tend to rise as you age, making it more challenging to maintain your previous lifestyle.

If moving more, eating healthier, or sleeping better used to be the norm a decade ago, hormonal changes now make it harder to sustain these habits,” explains Dr. Jane Smith.
Through her extensive research, Dr. Smith has identified high cortisol levels as a key factor behind these challenges.⁶

Cortisol, often referred to as the “stress hormone,” can wreak havoc on your body when elevated, leading to persistent weight gain.

While cortisol is essential for your body’s stress response, consistently high levels can cause numerous health issues, including increased appetite, cravings, and fat storage in the abdominal area. 

Elevated cortisol can also disrupt your metabolic processes, making weight loss an uphill battle,” Dr. Smith reveals.

Understanding the role of cortisol is the first step. But what are the best ways to manage it? 

Dr. Smith recommends a natural approach that effectively addresses the root of the problem.

New studies indicate that this natural compound can help reduce cortisol levels

Dr. Smith wasn’t initially sure if people over 45 could significantly reduce cortisol levels.

But then she found a study published in the “Journal of Nutrition & Intermediary Metabolism” where the effects of dietary fiber on cortisol levels were discussed.⁷ 

There was significant evidence that psyllium husk, which is a type of fiber, helps lower cortisol levels. 

This research demonstrated that increased fiber intake supports a healthy gut microbiome, which is critical in regulating the body’s stress response.

“A balanced gut microbiome can positively influence the brain-gut axis, reducing the body’s cortisol levels.⁸ 

Additionally, psyllium husk helps stabilize blood sugar levels, which can prevent cortisol spikes associated with blood sugar fluctuations,” Dr. Smith explains. 

However, psyllium husk benefits extend beyond lowering cortisol levels. In fact, it can also help manage the adverse effects caused by it and reverse the damage. Here’s how:

• Improved digestive health: Psyllium husk aids in regular bowel movements and alleviates constipation, contributing to overall digestive health.

• Weight management: By promoting a feeling of fullness, psyllium husk can help control appetite and reduce overall caloric intake, supporting weight loss efforts.

• Blood sugar regulation: The fiber slows down the digestion of carbohydrates, leading to more stable blood sugar levels and reducing the risk of diabetes.

• Heart health: Regular intake of psyllium husk has been shown to lower cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease.

Dr. Smith emphasizes the importance of incorporating psyllium husk into a balanced diet to harness these benefits. 

“For those struggling with weight gain and high cortisol levels, psyllium husk offers a natural and effective solution. It not only supports weight management but also your overall health and well-being.”

Dr. Smith suggests this particular supplement to her patients, and their feedback has been overwhelmingly positive

After doing all that research, Dr. Smith was determined to find the best psyllium husk powder for her patients. However, it wasn’t an easy task. 

“Let’s be honest – plain psyllium husk just isn’t suitable for everyday use. It tastes gritty and, sadly, it’s unpleasant to take. 

Luckily, one of my nutritionist friends recommended ColonBroom, which is made of psyllium husk but has a delicious strawberry taste. 

Ever since, many of my patients have reported losing that middle-aged weight they couldn’t get off before. 

They have also noticed noticeable improvements in other symptoms, which I will explain in just a moment.

But before that, I want to clarify why this supplement, called ColonBroom, works,” said the expert.

“The thing with dietary fiber is that it works best when taken consistently. ColonBroom checks all the boxes for daily use because it comes in a delicious shake form that’s easy to consume.

As a nutritionist, it’s also important to me that the products I recommend are clean and free of sugar, artificial ingredients, or GMOs to prevent blood sugar spikes.

That’s why my patients can experience the benefits of both lowered cortisol and elevated estrogen and testosterone levels.

Including improvements in other symptoms such as constipation, bloating, fatigue, and hunger. 

And, of course, the shrinking belly, which, as we age, may appear overnight seemingly out of nowhere,” concluded Dr. Smith.