Carrying excess weight - especially abdominal fat - could point to elevated cortisol levels. Naturopathic doctor Faryal Luhar discusses possible causes and how cortisol surges affect our physical and mental health. She outlines the role of hormones like DHEA, testosterone, leptin, and ghrelin, and offers practical advice on how to regain and maintain healthy cortisol levels. Sponsored content.

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In ep. 149 of the weekly podcast series Calm, Clear and Helpful, Dr Faryal Luhar, naturopathic doctor, touches on

• what naturopathic medicine involves

• a definition of stress

• examples of positive stressors and how we can react to stressors in a more constructive way

• what happens when the cortisol in your body does not follow a healthy, normal rhythm  

• causes of unhealthy cortisol levels, including job demands and family pressures

• how unhealthy cortisol patterns can affect our bodies

• the vicious cycle related to cortisol, sleep deprivation and emotional health

• how excess cortisol can contribute to glucose dysregulation (leading to insulin resistance and eventually diabetes), high blood pressure, and weight gain

• the inverse relationship between glucose and DHEA, the hormone which keeps us feeling and looking good

• how cortisol enlarges fat cells and produces more fat cells around the abdomen

• how Faryal supports patients presenting with weight gain linked to cortisol dysregulation

• Faryal’s practical lifestyle tips in this regard, including nutritional advice

• the hormones leptin and ghrelin and how they relate to excess cortisol

• herbal support, including magnolia, holy basil, rhodiola and ginseng.

In this episode, Faryal mentions the Hungarian endocrinologist Hans Selye and Shinrin-Yoku or forest bathing.

Scroll down for more information on Faryal, including her website and contact details.

Women needn’t suffer during perimenopause; Faryal discusses the signs, including sleep disturbances and weight gain, and how their root cause can be addressed.

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About Faryal, including contact details

Dr Faryal Luhar is a Canadian-trained, licenced Naturopathic Doctor who currently splits her practice between South Africa and Dubai. She also works in Saudi Arabia, and online.

Faryal’s special interests include women's health issues and hormone balance, digestive health, cancer prevention, healthy ageing, and stress and pain management.

Website: https://drluharnaturo.com/

Email: dr.faryal.luhar@gmail.com

Instagram: dr_faryal_luhar

The free podcast series Calm, Clear & Helpful is available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Player FM and Iono.fm – I hope you’ll subscribe!

Original music by Mart-Marie Snyman

Thumbnail image: Unsplash

Photograph of Dr Faryal Luhar: supplied