Cortisol is the adrenal hormone that is most closely associated with stress.
The functions of cortisol are to:
● Respond to stress
● Mobilize energy
● Improve fatigue
● Increase appetite for sugar
● Slow down metabolism
We release cortisol when stress occurs in our lives – internally or externally generated. Stress can affect:
● Blood glucose levels
● Immune response
● Central nervous system activation
● Blood pressure
Untreated stress impacts our bodies negatively by:
● Impairing cognitive performance
● Dampening thyroid function
● Causing blood sugar imbalance
● Decreasing bone density
● Disrupting sleep
● Decreasing muscle mass
● Elevating blood pressure
● Slowing wound healing
● Increasing abdominal fat
Chronic low levels of cortisol are brought on by adrenal failure and can create:
● Brain fog
● Low thyroid function
● Blood sugar imbalance
● Mild depression
● Sleep disruption
● Low blood pressure
● Lowered immune function
● Inflammation
● Fatigue – especially morning and evening
Cortisol can be inhibited by the following activities and nutrients:
● Vitamin C
● Avoid caffeine
● Exercise
● Stress management
● Meditation
● Breathing exercises
● Increased melatonin levels
● Quality sleep
● Laughter
● Black tea
● Massage
● Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)
● Hypnosis
● Acupuncture
● Yoga
● Phosphatidylserine
● Rhodiola rosea
● Glutamine
Ashwagandha
