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Cushing's syndrome results from increased levels of cortisol in the body.

Cortisol as I understand it however, promotes the breakdown of glycogen and amino-acids in the process of gluconeogenesis, to increase blood sugar - opposing the action of insulin.

Why then does Cushing's syndrome lead to weight gain rather than weight loss?

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  • $\begingroup$ Cortisol causes lipolysis, however, metabolism is slowed and free fatty acids are not actually metabolized they're just redistributed -such as in Cushing's disease. $\endgroup$
    – user6604
    May 4, 2014 at 18:18

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Cortisol is released when body goes through stress situations like while working out in gym, physiological activities outdoor etc. As you have already mentioned about what Cortisol does, it accumulates in the body after the stress situation and then with the intake of food and other nutrients it replaces the consumed carbohydrate and fat in the body i.e. a kind refueling. So this is how Cortisol maintains the body weight normally if our body gets enough exercise or has proper metabolism.

Whereas in Cushing' syndrome which comes usually by taking glucocorticoid drugs, or diseases that result in excess cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), or CRH levels. In this case Cortisol content will be more than the normal level which in turn requires more carbohydrate. So cortisol metabolizes the food and reefuels the body even when there is no requirement within the body. So because of excessive cortisol content body simply gets excessive fat accumulated in various parts which mainly results in obesity.

One more explanation from High level of Cortisol effects:

Chronically high levels of cortisol plays a big role in the development of obesity.

  1. Cortisol helps the body handle stress; so, when stress goes up, cortisol also goes up. Cortisol stimulates fat and carbohydrate metabolism during stressful situations. This leads to increased blood sugar levels required for fast energy. In turn, this stimulates insulin release which can lead to an increase in appetite.

  2. Adrenaline increases alertness and metabolism by helping fat cells release energy. When the immediate stress is over, the adrenaline levels return to normal. But, cortisol lingers to help bring the body back into balance after stress. One of the ways it gets things back to balance is by increasing appetite to replace the carbohydrate and fat used for the flight or fight response.

The problem is that in today's society, stress-causing situations do not really require the body to use up a lot of energy. So, cortisol ends up causing the body to refuel after stress even when it doesn't really need to refuel. This excess fuel or glucose is converted into fat resulting in increased storage of fat.

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  • $\begingroup$ "So cortisol metabolizes the food and reefuels the body even when there is no requirement within the body. So because of excessive cortisol content body simply gets excessive fat accumulated in various parts which mainly results in obesity." doesn't really make sense to me, if it metabolises the food, it should lead to weight loss. Also your answer is mostly about stress, but I'm interested in cushing's syndrome. $\endgroup$
    – Kenshin
    Oct 8, 2013 at 12:03
  • $\begingroup$ In Cushing's syndrome when the cortisol level goes up, it makes body to consume more food which in turn leads to fat build up. This is unnecessary fat which body gets when it does not need it. I gave stress as an example but higher level of cortisol was the main highlight which results in fat. $\endgroup$
    – Pradeep S
    Oct 8, 2013 at 12:13
  • $\begingroup$ why does cortisol make you consume more food? $\endgroup$
    – Kenshin
    Oct 8, 2013 at 12:16
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    $\begingroup$ How different hormones are interrelated and What is the potential link between stress, cortisol, and appetite? $\endgroup$
    – Pradeep S
    Oct 8, 2013 at 12:25
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I read this somewhere. In Cushing's syndrome the excessive cortisol disables metabolism of proteins and fats rather than increasing it ( I don't know the reason). Hence, fat gets accumulated, mainly in the abdominal region resulting in weight gain

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  • $\begingroup$ Can you please add some references? $\endgroup$
    – Chris ♦
    Oct 9, 2015 at 7:05
  • $\begingroup$ 3fatchicks.com/… $\endgroup$
    – Taher Tinwala
    Oct 9, 2015 at 9:05

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