| Cortisol is a chemical substance produced by the | | | | diseases, psychosis, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia |
| adrenal glands. When the levels of cortisol in the | | | | gravis, and possibly Parkinson's and Alzheimer's |
| blood stream become high the HPA axis feedback | | | | disease. High Cortisol may contribute to obesity as |
| mechanism turns off the corticotrophin-releasing | | | | it causes metabolic disruptions including insulin |
| hormone. This is a signal for the brain and adrenal | | | | resistance. It also induces "stress overeating," |
| glands to decrease the production of cortisol. | | | | especially in women. |
| Under continuous periods of stress this feedback | | | | An Adrenal Stress Index is a simple saliva test |
| system becomes ineffective once it becomes | | | | with which you can determine if your cortisol |
| stuck in the fight or flight mode. | | | | levels are too high or too low. For the test you |
| Some amount of cortisol in the blood stream is | | | | will have to collect saliva samples four times |
| essential for life. It is necessary for normal brain, | | | | during the day, which determines a diurnal cortisol |
| immune, muscle, blood sugar function, and blood | | | | rhythm. If high cortisol levels or adrenal fatigue is |
| circulation. One initial symptom of adrenal fatigue is | | | | discovered quickly it enhances your chances for |
| high levels of cortisol. If the high levels of stress | | | | recovery from more serious health problems. |
| continue and the adrenal glands are deteriorating, | | | | Here are a few ways to reduce high cortisol: |
| it causes a decline in cortisol production. | | | | 1. Use cortisol-reducing supplement |
| Cortisol deficiency can cause Addison's disease, | | | | 2. Eat at regular intervals throughout the day: |
| which is a potentially fatal illness. Excessive | | | | Avoid skipping meals, as it will create a cortisol |
| production of cortisol is equally damaging. The | | | | release. 3. Excessive carbohydrate intake creates |
| Adrenal Stress Index is a saliva test that can | | | | cortisol release in response to constantly elevated |
| determine if your cortisol levels are too high or | | | | insulin levels. Have complex carbohydrates instead. |
| too low. Too much cortisol can cause abdominal | | | | 4. Utilize stress reduction techniques at peak |
| obesity, high blood sugar,muscle wasting, bone | | | | cortisol times: meditation, self-hypnosis, or simply |
| loss, immune shutdown, brain (hippocampus) | | | | lying on the floor doing belly breathing for 10-15 |
| atrophy, poor wound healing, thin wrinkled skin, | | | | minutes can help to reduce stress and thus |
| fluid retention and hypertension. | | | | cortisol levels. |
| High cortisol can cause increased fatigue | | | | 5. Get to bed on time. Get at least 8 hours of |
| decreased energy, irritability, impaired memory, | | | | sleep every night. |
| depressed mood, decreased libido, insomnia, | | | | 6. Avoid stimulants: Stay away from energy |
| anxiety, impaired concentration, crying, | | | | drinks that contain ephedra-like compounds and |
| restlessness, social withdrawal, and feelings of | | | | caffeine. Stimulants shift the body into |
| hopelessness. | | | | sympathetic dominance, or the "fight or flight" |
| Chronically high cortisol may also lead to many | | | | mode. Stimulants can also disrupt your sleeping |
| diseases like cancer, ulcers, heart attacks, | | | | patterns. |
| diabetes, infections, alcoholism, strokes, skin | | | | |