11 Best Supplements to Reduce Cortisol and Belly Fat

“We provide a list of the 11 best supplements in this post that can effectively lower cortisol levels and reduce belly fat. The main intent is to provide valuable information, so avoid using any supplement excessively or without consulting your doctor.”

Are you struggling with stress and the belly fat that comes with it? Keeping your cortisol levels in check could be the key to living a better and healthier life. The body produces cortisol, a hormone in response to stress, to help navigate challenging situations. Short-term cortisol release helps people deal with stress, but long-term increased levels can cause health problems like weight gain and chronic stress. The National Library of Medicine emphasizes the connection between stress and abdominal fat. If you’re wondering about supplements to reduce cortisol and belly fat, this article will help you choose the best ones. Reducing high cortisol levels can improve your mood, increase your energy, and improve your lifestyle.

What is stress?

Stress, often perceived as a state of worry or stress, is a natural response to challenging circumstances. Your body reacts to stress by releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which set off the “fight or flight” reaction and help you survive. After the challenge, your body usually returns to normal. On the other hand, long-term stress makes your body hypervigilant, which can result in issues like anxiety, sleeplessness, and weight gain because of high cortisol levels.

Understanding the Role & Effects of Cortisol on Health

Cortisol, also known as the “stress hormone,” is essential for many body processes, such as immune response and metabolism. However, problems like weight gain, anxiety, and chronic fatigue can arise when cortisol levels stay high for long periods. Long-term elevated cortisol levels can also interfere with sleep cycles and disrupt the body’s natural healing and recovery processes. Getting the best supplements to reduce cortisol and belly fat can help your body get back into balance. When used properly, these supplements to lower cortisol can restore normal cortisol levels, which can improve your metabolism and overall health.

11 Best Supplements to Reduce Cortisol and Belly Fat

Are you curious about what supplements reduce cortisol? The top 11 supplements to reduce cortisol and belly fat are listed below in detail:

1. Magnesium

Does magnesium glycinate lower cortisol? It’s not quite known how exactly magnesium levels relate to stress and anxiety. But we know that not getting enough magnesium can make you feel more stressed. Excessive mental or physical stress can lead to low magnesium levels. These supplements to reduce cortisol and belly fat aid in the regulation of some neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. Magnesium also aids in controlling cortisol levels and the body’s stress response.

2. Ashwagandha

The powerful herb ashwagandha is well-known for lowering cortisol levels. According to studies, it can reduce cortisol levels by up to 30% if used consistently for 30–60 days. This herb promotes better sleep, stress management, memory, and attention. Taking ashwagandha every day can help your mental health and make you more resistant to stress in general.

3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, reduce inflammation and cortisol levels. Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids enhance memory, mood, and mental clarity. Mackerel, anchovies, salmon, sardines, and other fatty fish are natural sources of omega-3 fish oils.

4. Vitamin C

Vitamin C can help lower the elevated cortisol levels caused by extreme stress. It is one of the supplements to reduce cortisol and belly fat. These vitamins to lower cortisol destroy reactive oxygen species (ROS), and reduce oxidative stress. It may also help to reduce cortisol belly fat by boosting the activity of fat metabolism enzymes.

5. Prebiotics and probiotics

Supplements containing prebiotics and probiotics can aid in improving gut health. Having a healthy gut can assist in reducing stress and cortisol levels. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables that are high in fiber include prebiotics. Additionally, fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut contain probiotics.

6. Green tea extract

Green tea extract contains compounds like EGCG. These compounds can boost fat-burning processes and metabolism. Therefore, incorporating green tea extract supplements into your diet may aid in weight loss. Green tea extract supplements are among the most easily accessible supplements to reduce cortisol and belly fat.

7. Arctic Root (Rhodiola Rosea)

Traditional Chinese medicine uses Arctic root, also known as rose root or golden root. Expectedly, it enhances stamina and energy, concurrently lowering the cortisol level during extreme stress. Taking this herb may reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels. The energizing properties of Arctic roots help stressed or exhausted people.

8. Bacopa

A traditional Indian Ayurvedic herb, bacopa (Bacopa monnieri), has positive effects on mental health. People use it to treat depression, anxiety, exhaustion, and sleeplessness. Additionally, bacopa may boost mood and decrease cortisol and stress.

9. Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Bilabas is one of the popular supplements to lower cortisol that promotes brain health and cognitive functions. Studies have demonstrated that Ginkgo reduces blood pressure and cortisol levels, as well as reduces stress and improves brain function.

10. Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserines are fatty supplements to lower cortisol levels, especially after stressful situations or intense physical activity. It reduces excessive cortisol production by controlling the adrenal glands. Its regular usage can enhance cognitive function, mood, sleep, and stress reduction.

11. L-Theanine

The amino acid L-theanine is present in tea leaves, and it helps you feel relaxed without getting tired. By controlling the adrenal glands and cortisol production, it lowers cortisol levels. Regular use of L-theanine can enhance attention and improve cognitive function and mental health. When used with caffeine, it gives you a fantastic energy boost without any side effects.

What Are the Causes of High Cortisol Levels?

High amounts of cortisol hormones in the body are caused by some factors, including:

Long-term chronic stress: The main cause of high cortisol levels in the body is prolonged chronic stress. It causes the body to produce cortisol excessively as a defensive response.
Certain medical conditions, such as Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal tumors, can cause an increase in cortisol levels.
Certain medications, particularly oral corticosteroids, can lead to elevated cortisol levels.
Poor Lifestyle: A few lifestyle choices, such as insufficient exercise, a lackluster diet, and a lack of sleep, may also contribute to high cortisol levels.

Key Considerations for Selecting Supplements to Lower Cortisol

It is always preferable to select the best supplements to reduce cortisol and belly fat rather than solely focusing on popular brands. Here are some key factors to think about:

Ingredient Quality: Seek out supplements that include natural, high-quality ingredients. Stay away from fillers and artificial ingredients that can reduce the effectiveness of supplements. Selecting supplements that contain high-quality ingredients to reduce cortisol and belly fat ensures better absorption and effectiveness.
Specific Needs: Prefer the particular health issues you want to target. For example, if the major issue is lack of sleep, then choose the supplements that promote better sleep and cortisol reduction. Knowing your specific needs will help you make a suitable supplement choice.
Select medically approved ingredients to achieve optimal results. Researchers have tested the effects of supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, phosphatidylserine, and ashwagandha on cortisol levels.
Ensure that the label identifies the contents of the supplement. Knowing what you’re putting in your body is important, and transparency makes sure you’re not consuming anything that could be harmful to your health.
Customer Reviews: Reading other customers’ reviews can help you understand how beneficial a supplement is. Look for regular positive reviews about how well it controls cortisol. Customer reviews can provide practical proof of a supplement’s effectiveness.

Some Natural Remedies for Stress Relief

You can control your cortisol levels and lower stress by adopting a better and healthier lifestyle. We recommend the following activities along with supplements to reduce cortisol and belly fat:

Regular exercise: It can help improve mood, promote relaxation, and lower stress and anxiety symptoms.
Meditation and mindfulness: Meditation and yoga can break the cycle of stress. They reduce the body’s fight-or-flight response to stress and help people feel relaxed.
Healthy Food and Drink: A well-balanced diet rich in beneficial fats boosts energy and the immune system. Omega-3 fatty acids help keep cortisol levels in check, and it’s also important to stay hydrated and limit your coffee intake.
Sleep: The body has a natural ability to heal itself through proper sleep. To lower stress and enhance brain function, adults should sleep for 7–9 hours every night.
Counseling and Therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other treatments can also assist people in managing their stress and cortisol levels. They can assist individuals in comprehending the connections between their ideas, feelings, and actions.

Final Thoughts

Controlling high cortisol levels is crucial to reducing belly fat resulting from long-term stress. It’s important to find practical ways to correct this imbalance since high cortisol might cause the buildup of fat in the abdomen region. Supplements to reduce cortisol and belly fat can help address this solution. However, for the best results, it’s important to follow a healthy lifestyle and diet plan.

Taking the appropriate supplements to lower cortisol, along with getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising frequently, can naturally regulate cortisol levels. You can boost your metabolism, lower cortisol, and belly fat, and enhance your physical and mental health by choosing and properly utilizing the best cortisol supplements for weight loss.