Are you stressed? Have you been under chronic on-going stress or have Post-Traumatic Stress or having acute stressful periods due to work, school or relationship issues? If you suffer from any of the above, you may have chronically elevated cortisol (“stress hormone”) levels (produced by the adrenal glands) which can eventually lead to adrenal fatigue syndrome.
Cortisol at proper levels in the body assists with proper glucose metabolism, regulation of blood pressure, release of insulin for blood sugar maintenance, normal immune function, and normal inflammatory response. Normally levels of cortisol are their highest in the morning and at their lowest at night. The “Stress Hormone” Cortisol is secreted by the adrenals at higher levels during the “fight vs. flight” response to stress and small increase of this endocrine hormone causes the following beneficial physiological changes in the body: sudden burst of energy to flee or survive, heightened vigilance and memory retrieval functions, sudden enhanced immunity, decreased sensitivity to pain, and homeostatsis of normal body functions.
Prolonged stress conditions cause on-going release of higher levels of cortisol into the bloodstream. Chronic high levels of cortisol can cause negative effects in the body such as: “brain fog” (impaired cognitive performance), hypothyroidism, hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugars), anxiety (feeling “wired”), insomnia, low energy, decreased bone density, breakdown of muscle tissue, elevated blood pressure, impaired immunity and inflammation response, prolonged wound healing, and increased abdominal fat (“love handles” that can expand over time). [Read more…] about Cortitrol and Tools to Lower Cortisol / Stress Hormones