Does cortisone really make you fat?

Why is it considered responsible for excess weight?

What is cortisone? What does it cure?

Cortisone and its derivatives, corticoids, are very powerful anti-inflammatory drugs. It mimics a hormone essential to the body: cortisol, the stress hormone. It regulates the systems.

It, therefore, has an essential regulatory role within several systems, particularly the nervous system and the digestive system. The name of this drug, therefore, comes from this hormone that it mimics and whose effects it reproduces. It is used to combat asthma, certain chronic diseases, severe inflammation and allergies. It is prescribed for varying lengths of time depending on the case. This product is one of the only remedies for inflammation.

What are the side effects of corticosteroids?

Depending on the length of time the medication is taken and the doses prescribed, cortisone causes certain undesirable side effects. These effects may also vary depending on the individual, their body, and/or metabolism.

Thus, the most common side effects are digestive problems, diabetes, sleep or appetite problems. It can also happen that this treatment can lead to libido problems.

Also, as Professor Laurence Fardet, a dermatologist who studies the side effects of this drug, points out, it is possible to notice skin problems such as acne or eczema.

The side effects will not always be the same. You may develop certain disorders rather than others. This depends on how your body functions, but also on the duration of the treatment.
In fact, the longer the treatment lasts, the more side effects you will notice.

Does cortisone make you fat?

One of the best-known side effects is undoubtedly weight gain. This is of the order of a few kilos, frequently localized in the face, neck and abdomen.

Why this weight gain? The treatment affects appetite. It often triggers a greater appetite, for a very simple reason. Cortisone mimics the stress hormone cortisol, which is very sensitive to sugar.
It is a “reassuring” and “safe” food that this hormone particularly likes. This is why sugar is the main problem.
By taking corticoids, your body absorbs a certain amount of this imitation hormone. So it calls certain foods, as Dr. Paule Nathan, an endocrinologist, discovered.

Also, you must consider the problem of water retention, on which the treatment acts. A slowing down of the metabolism can also be observed. Fat will, therefore, be less well eliminated and stored in the fat cells, which are the reserves responsible for weight problems, which can be very bad experienced.

How can you avoid this weight gain?

Excess weight is often the result of prolonged medication use. A few changes in eating habits may be enough to prevent excessive weight gain.

Make sure you consume less salt, fat and sugar to limit water retention and to avoid building up too many reserves.
It is also perfectly possible to split your meals: eat more often throughout the day, but in smaller quantities. This will help you avoid frustration, give your body what it needs and avoid cravings for sugars or fats.

Since the weight gain is due to the treatment, your body and metabolism will resume functioning as soon as you stop it. It will, therefore, be possible to lose excess weight fairly quickly.
The most important thing is to continue a healthy and balanced diet and everything will soon return to normal.

Also read: How do you get rid of arm fat?