The Study
Hormonal control of regional fat distribution.
This study looked at fat cells in a laboratory dish, not in actual people. When scientists put hormones like cortisol or testosterone on these cells in a dish, they saw changes in how the cells handle fat. But here's the important part: what's true in a dish isn't always true in a real human body. This study can only show us a POSSIBLE way hormones might work - it's like a recipe that might work in theory but we don't know if it works in a real kitchen. It cannot prove that these hormones actually change where fat is stored in living humans.
Analysis score
Maximum 5 for a narrative review.
Where the score came from
Different hormones tell your body where to store fat. Cortisol and insulin help store fat, especially in your belly area. Growth hormone and testosterone help burn fat instead of storing it. The hormones work by interacting with special receptors on fat cells, and there are more of these receptors in belly fat than in fat under your skin.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 51 / 100
Quality score
Based on clinical experience or non-systematic literature reviews. The lowest level of evidence as they are most susceptible to bias and personal perspective.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1This helps explain why high cortisol (stress) and high insulin (insulin resistance) can lead to more belly fat, and why growth hormone and testosterone affect fat distribution.
- 2Cortisol and insulin increase fat storage by expressing LPL enzyme.
- 3Growth hormone and testosterone decrease fat storage by inhibiting LPL and stimulating fat breakdown.
- 4More hormone receptors found in belly fat versus subcutaneous fat.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Human reproduction
Year
1997
Authors
P. Björntorp
Related Content
Claims (6)
Testosterone appears to block the enzyme that helps fat cells store fat and turns on the process that burns fat for energy, which could help reduce body fat.
A specific protein called glucocorticoid receptor helps the stress hormone cortisol control how fat is stored and broken down in body fat. This receptor is more abundant in the deep belly fat than in the fat under the skin.
Insulin helps fat cells store more fat by turning on a special enzyme called lipoprotein lipase that breaks down triglycerides so they can be packed inside the fat cells.
The stress hormone cortisol can help fat cells store more fat by turning on a special enzyme that breaks down fats in the blood so they can enter the fat cells.
Growth hormone helps your body burn stored fat and prevents new fat from building up, working against the fat-storage effects of stress hormones and insulin.
Your body has special hormones that control where fat gets stored. When these hormones get out of balance, you end up storing more fat deep inside your belly around your organs.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.