According to the CDC, nearly three out of four American adults are overweight or obese. It's safe to say there's no shortage of belly fat—but is all belly fat created equal?

And what's really driving this epidemic of expanding waistlines? Is it simply that we're eating too much?

Or is there more to it than that?

Let's take a look at some of the biggest factors behind stubborn belly fat and, more importantly, what you can do to start reducing it and improve your overall health.

The Well-Known Belly Fat Builders

An accumulation of belly fat is frequently the result of two common lifestyle factors:

1. A diet high in refined carbohydrates, seed oils, and ultra-processed foods

2. Lack of exercise, particularly heart-pumping activities like brisk walking, jogging, running, kickboxing, cycling, and swimming.

The solutions here are fairly straightforward: Emphasize real, whole foods like quality proteins, healthy fats, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Avoid seed oils, refined carbohydrates, and ultra-processed foods as much as possible, and aim to work up a sweat at least four days each week.

But here's something important to know...

While eating well and exercising regularly can certainly help, they may not be enough to win the battle against stubborn belly fat.

That's because two hidden factors may also be working behind the scenes to increase your waistline. Unless you address them, that persistent pooch may continue to stick around—or even grow.

Hidden Causes of Stubborn Belly Fat

If you've consistently been avoiding seed oils, sugars, and ultra-processed foods, you're diligent about exercising, and you still can't seem to lose belly fat, you may be dealing with one or both of these hidden culprits:

• A sluggish thyroid

• Elevated cortisol levels

Let's take a closer look at both.

Sluggish Thyroid

If your thyroid isn't producing enough hormone (a condition known as hypothyroidism), losing weight can become much more difficult—even when you're eating healthy and exercising consistently.

You may also notice that your energy levels are practically nonexistent.

If you suspect thyroid issues, start by seeing your healthcare provider and requesting a comprehensive thyroid evaluation—not just a TSH test. While TSH is commonly used, it's more of a measure of pituitary function than thyroid function, and by itself it may not always provide the complete picture.

Ask about these additional thyroid tests:

• Free T4

• Free T3

• Thyroid Antibody Testing

• TRH Stimulation Test (TRH Challenge Test)

• Reverse T3

If thyroid hormone replacement is recommended, there are generally two options:

• Synthetic thyroid hormone (such as Synthroid): Contains only T4 hormone.

• Natural desiccated thyroid hormone: Made from desiccated pig thyroid glands and contains both T4 and T3 hormones.

This distinction matters because T3 is the most biologically active thyroid hormone and performs much of the work involved in thyroid function.

Although your body is designed to convert T4 into T3, factors such as illness, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and certain medications can interfere with that conversion, potentially leaving your body with inadequate active thyroid hormone.

If you're interested in natural desiccated thyroid hormone and your doctor isn't familiar with it, ask if they're willing to research it, or consider consulting a functional medicine practitioner or holistically trained physician who has experience prescribing it.

Now let's look at another major contributor to stubborn belly fat...

Elevated Cortisol Levels

Cortisol is often called your body's primary stress hormone.

Whenever your brain senses stress, your sympathetic nervous system activates and cortisol helps prepare your body for a fight-or-flight response by ensuring you have enough energy to deal with the perceived danger.

That's exactly what you would want during a true emergency—whether you need to run to safety or defend yourself.

The problem occurs when stress becomes chronic.

When your body remains under constant stress, cortisol levels can stay elevated for extended periods of time.

Over time, chronically elevated cortisol has been associated with weight gain, suppressed immune function, Type 2 diabetes, insomnia, depression, hypertension, osteoporosis, and heart disease.

If stress has become your constant companion, there's a good chance elevated cortisol could be playing a role. Your healthcare provider can evaluate your cortisol levels so you'll have a better understanding of where you stand.

In the meantime, here are several natural ways to help support healthy cortisol levels.

Eat More Whole Foods

Just as I mentioned earlier, avoiding ultra-processed foods is incredibly important.

Research has linked diets high in ultra-processed foods with obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, declining cognitive health, gastrointestinal disorders, and other chronic health concerns.

Instead, focus on wholesome, real foods, and do most of your grocery shopping around the outer perimeter of the store where fresh foods are typically found.

Reduce Your Stress

Do whatever you can to reduce your overall stress load.

Regular exercise is one of the best natural stress relievers available. Prayer, deep breathing, meditation, therapy, acupuncture (my personal favorite during stressful times), and essential oils—especially lavender—may also help you unwind.

If you're an animal lover, consider adopting a pet. Research continues to show that companion animals can provide comfort and help reduce stress. I know after a difficult day, snuggling with my cats always makes me feel better.

And if it's your job or a relationship that's causing ongoing stress, it may be time to consider making a healthy change.

Make Sure Your Nutrient Bases Are Covered

Nutrient deficiencies can contribute to poor hormone balance, including healthy cortisol regulation.

Simply put, your body can't function the way it's designed to when it's lacking essential vitamins and minerals.

Along with eating a nutritious whole-foods diet, a high-quality multivitamin and mineral formula like Super Core can help support healthy levels of the nutrients your body depends on every day.

Super Core also contains natural anti-inflammatory ingredients. Since inflammation can also contribute to elevated cortisol, it offers additional support from that perspective as well.

Consider Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has been used for centuries in traditional herbal medicine to help the body better adapt to stress.

Research suggests it may help support healthy cortisol levels while also supporting healthy blood sugar, thyroid function, blood pressure, and adrenal health.

Our own Ashwa Blend Gummies make it easy to add the benefits of Ashwagandha to your daily routine.

They combine time-tested Ashwagandha with CoQ10, a powerful antioxidant, apple cider vinegar to support healthy cholesterol and blood sugar balance, and L-carnitine, which helps fuel healthy metabolism.

By addressing the root causes—not just the symptoms—you'll be taking important steps toward reducing stubborn belly fat while supporting your long-term health and overall well-being.

To your health,

Sherry Brescia