8. Food-Induced Cushing’s: You Are What You Eat
Here’s an unconventional twist—could your diet be messing with your cortisol levels? Believe it or not, certain foods can mimic the effects of cortisol, ushering in what we can call Food-Induced Cushing’s Syndrome. Your taste buds might enjoy those sugary, fatty foods, but your adrenal glands? Not so much.
If you’re thinking this sounds too far-fetched, hold onto your hat. Specific compounds in foods can trigger your adrenal glands into overproduction mode. Think of foods with high glycemic indices or excessive sodium. They’re the equivalent of a loudspeaker screaming at your adrenal glands to churn out more cortisol. And guess what? Your adrenal glands listen.
So, what’s the big deal? Consistent overconsumption of these foods creates a vicious cycle. Increased cortisol leads to increased appetite and cravings for more unhealthy foods, trapping you in an endless loop of weight gain and deteriorating health. It’s a catch-22, where your attempts to feel better are actually making you worse.
Of course, blaming Cushing’s solely on food would be misleading. Yet, ignoring its impact is equally damaging. While food-induced Cushing’s is a rare phenomenon, it’s starting to gain attention in medical circles. New studies are investigating whether food-specific therapies could become a part of Cushing’s treatment plans.(8)
