Recently I had my cortisol level checked and it turned out to be on the high side -- I've been investigating and have discovered that there appears to be a connection between cortisol and high protein and abdominal obesity. Here is a link to an article regarding cortisol and protein. http://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/cgi/reprint/61/2/214.pdf Cortisol is released to increase blood glucose and induces gluconeogenesis. Namaste, Liz <A HREF="http://www.csun.edu/~ecm59556/Healthycarb/index.html"> http://www.csun.edu/~ecm59556/Healthycarb/index.html</A>