These include stress (leading to the production
of high cortisol levels by the adrenal glands), lack of exercise, and poor nutrition.
There are several things that could be causing a slow metabolism such
as high cortisol levels, thyroid problems, some nutrient deficiencies, etc..
Stress during pregnancy is particularly damaging since
high cortisol levels interfere with pregnancy hormones and make it much harder for your body to make a healthy baby.
The most common symptoms of metabolic syndrome
include high cortisol levels, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, fatigue, and a «spare tyre» of weight around the middle.
You'd definitively need to avoid having
high cortisol levels for a prolonged period of time, as it will result in reduction of your muscle mass.
This is especially important
as higher cortisol levels all through the day have been associated with worse outcomes in breast cancer.
And
high cortisol levels also contribute to the stubborn belly fat in people with insulin resistance or Type 2 diabetes who crave sugar and carbs.
Sleeping at least 8 hours can also improve digestion and
reduce high cortisol levels, which contribute to inflammation and a compromised immune system on entirely different levels.
This stage is characterized
by high cortisol levels, especially at night, leading to insomnia, insulin resistance and abdominal weight gain.