Cortisol, which is the naturally produced form of prednisone in a person's body, helps the body manage stress, such as infections or organ rejection.

• Stress causes the release of cortisol. Cortisol can cause increased hunger which leads to consumption of excess calories. Cortisol also activated fat- storing enzymes which cause enlargement of the fat cells. The abdominal fat cells are predominatly affected since those cells have the most cortisol receptors. The result is central (abdominal) obesity.

  If a person learns to effectively manage stress, they will have less release of cortisol. This will prevent stress-related consumption of excess calories and storage of excess fat.

Cortisol is pronounced kôrtəˌsôl.

Glycogenesis is stimulated by insulin in response to high glucose levels.

C5H6O is the empirical formula for Cortisol.