previous studies among veterans and female nurses (6, 14). In addition, this study found that new‐onset and persistent PTSD was associated with weight loss. This psychological condition plays an important role in body weight regulation through mechanisms that as yet are undefined.”
The study goes on to say that the weight gain is due to “dysregulation of neuroendocrine and autonomic nervous systems may directly affect sleep, metabolism, and appetite, which could cause changes in weight.”
Despite the popular misconceptions that weight gain is due to overeating or binge eating, this study confirmed that subjects’ weight gain is “independent of binge eating” meaning over-eating was not the cause of weight gain.
The researchers considered the possibility that pharmacotherapies prescribed for PTSD, including selective serotonin and selective serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and atypical antipsychotic medications, were the cause of the subjects’ weight gain.* See my note on this point further in the article.
These findings have important public health implications given that overweight and obesity are known risk factors for adverse health outcomes, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, stroke, breast and colon cancers, and early mortality (34, 35). Our results suggest that increases in body weight may add to the morbidity associated with PTSD. Additional studies are needed to determine whether early and aggressive management of PTSD symptoms can avert the development of obesity among this group.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/oby.21025
To cut to the chase, what is the solution to stress-induced weight gain?
It is agreed that stress management is an essential element in any weight-loss regime, especially for those with elevated cortisol levels.
Exercise has always been considered the fastest path to weight loss by virtue of its endorphin raising and stress-relieving properties. But, be careful of the type of exercise you choose. I’m sure you’ve seen many obese individuals running and pedaling their way to greater weight gain! This is because high-intensity exercise actually raises cortisol levels and increases weight gain in older adults!
http://www.bfpt.eg.net/article.asp?issn=1110
For older adults, low-impact exercise such as walking, swimming or gentle cycling is preferable for lowering stress hormone levels, as are yoga and meditation.
Dr. Circus also cautions against extreme low-calorie diets because starving the body of calories starves brain cells as well. New research finds that these hungry brain cells then release “feed me” signals, which drive hunger, slow metabolism, and ultimately cause reduced-calorie diets to fail. As Dr. Circus knows, the basic nutrient these cells are starving for is magnesium.
According to Dr. Circus: The number-one and most important mineral lacking in most processed foods today. Obese people have a serious problem with magnesium deficiency and no matter how much they eat they rarely get enough and this is especially bad for brain cells, which depend on magnesium in unison with other minerals and EFAs for healthy neurological function.
Part of the problem is all the white, nutritionally-deficient foods obese people tend to eat.
White foods are stripped of all of their magnesium mineral content so anyone who consumes these foods simply must increase their magnesium!
https://drsircus.com/magnesium/transdermal-magnesium-therapy-2-2/
I agree with Dr. Circus. Magnesium should be your first-line of defense when dealing with weight gain.