03/10/2022
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal glands located above each kidney. It is commonly associated with the stress response where it rises to trigger the breakdown of fats and proteins to create energy) This is important when a burst of energy is needed. Think of jumping out of the way of an oncoming car.
It is also important during the circadian rhythm where it should rise in the morning (get you out of bed) and decrease throughout the rest of the day. It is lowest in the evening (allowing you to fall asleep). High evening cortisol is associated with insomnia or not being able to stay asleep.
Long-term elevated cortisol results in a host of symptoms. 5 significant signs are:
1. Abdominal obesity: The hormone cortisol is often seen as a fat-storing hormone because it prevents the body from responding to insulin (think blood sugar control) effectively. One tell-tale sign is fat storage around the midsection (abdominal obesity)
2 Fatigue: A common cause of fatigue
is "adrenal exhaustion or adrenal
burnout".Long-term stress depletes cortisol. This is why it is important to manage stress. A stressor could be emotional (real or imagined. If you think about it the body will respond to the perceived stress real or not), dietary stress (nutrient deficiency, toxicity), or pain/inflammation (gut infection, heavy metal toxicity, chemical toxicity, mold exposure, etc)
3. Gastrointestinal Issues: Cortisol is catabolic (breaks things down), such as mucosal tissue that lines the gut. Damage to the gut lining puts you at risk for pathogenic infections ( think H pylori, candida, fungus infection, etc,.) food sensitivities, and digestive symptoms like bloating, nausea, constipation, or diarrhea.
4. Depression: Tryptophan an amino acid is important for mood regulation. High cortisol shunts tryptophan down the Kynurenine pathway away from 5HTP. 5HTP is important for the production of the feel-good hormone serotonin. Low levels can contribute to mood disorders and depression.
Female Hormonal Issues: "The cortisol steal" Stress increases cortisol causing progesterone to decrease leading to estrogen dominance (PMS, fibroids, migraine, etc)
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