Excess Cortisol and Imbalances
We all know cortisol as the stress hormone. It has its purpose (just like insulin) but when its produced in excess is when it causes imbalances.
Cortisol is made from cholesterol and is a type of glucocorticoid (a steroid hormone made from the adrenal gland).
Cortisol has different functions which include: to mediate the stress response (cortisol increases blood glucose availability to the brain), regulate metabolism, regulate inflammatory response and immune functions (it can induce apoptosis of pro inflammatory T cells).
Cortisol can be stimulated for different reasons.
#1 - Primarily, in response to the environment.
The amygdala part of our brain that processes fear, emotional stimuli and arousal kicks off HPA by sending a stress signal to the hypothalamus —which releases CRH (corticotropin releasing hormone) – which signals the pituitary to release ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) – which signals the the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol.
#2 - Caffeine has been shown to stimulate cortisol
Due to the fact that caffeine is a metabolic stimulant its best to have it after a meal, when glucose has been released into the bloodstream
#3 - Fasting/prolonged periods of time without eating
When you go many hours without providing glucose to the blood through food the body will find a way to make it available as the cells are always using glucose to make energy. When its deprived for a long time from the diet, the body responds by releasing stress hormones (cortisol and adrenaline) because the are catabolic (break things down) in order to create glucose.
Different ways excess cortisol can enable dysfunction, including metabolic dysfunction
#1 - Impair thyroid hormone conversion from T4 to active form T3
#2 - Cortisol can put your body into a insulin resistant state (it likes to promote glucose availability for the stress response but does not want glucose storage which insulin also does)
#3 - Activates the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system always keeping you “on and engaged” rather than in the parasympathetic mode of “rest and digest”
#4 - Antagonizes progesterone which is a necessary hormone to a balanced menstrual cycle and essential for fertility
#5 - Blue light (from our phones/screen) stimulates cortisol
Its no wonder so many of us are dealing with excess stress/adrenal fatigue/hpa axis dysregulation in this highly stimulating, stressful, industrialized world.
Imbalances including metabolic dysfunction are on the rise.
Be mindful of how you spend your time and how your environment affects you.
How can our body feel safe when our minds are always stimulated?
