Subscribe here...

The Stress Hormone Cortisol. What Is It?

What is the stress hormone cortisol, and how does it affect my chances of getting heart disease? What happens when cortisol is released? How do I lower my cortisol levels? Today cortisol is a very common term in the drug store. Usually it is associated with weight loss pills, but cortisol has various functions in the body. It can also cause different health issues.

The stress hormone cortisol is one of the main hormones released in the fight or flight response. It is released by the adrenal cortex. It is usually regulated, and cortisol levels return to normal after the fight or flight response ceases. This hormone is intended to help you.

Cortisol aids in many important functions that your body requires. The functions vary from allowing the kidneys to produce hypo-tonic urine to cooperating with the hormone adrenaline to create emotional short term memories in the brain. The stress hormone cortisol has innumerable uses within the body.

Effects Of Cortisol

Chronic stress results in higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol within the body. Stress hormone cortisol how does this relate to heart disease? Well high levels of cortisol can contribute to the symptoms or risk factors of heart disease.

1. High blood pressure/hypertension.

2. Increase in blood pressure.

3. Elevated blood sugar.

4. Reduces immune responses.

5. Increased stomach fat. Medical studies link stomach fat to higher cholesterol levels, stroke, and heart attack. Obesity is one of the leading risk factors in heart disease.

6. Oxygen free radicals. The stress hormone cortisol rouse the production of oxygen free radicals. These are toxic. These wreak havoc on your immune defenses. This byproduct of stress hormones damages the lining of the arteries. In the body it can also cause less flexibility in response to the natural changes in blood flow.

Usually when the brain senses that cortisol levels in your blood are too high it sends feedback messages to the pituitary gland to stop releasing cortisol that is activating the adrenal glands. Chronic stress can cause the feedback loop to fail, resulting in a persistent condition. If your body fails to stop releasing the hormone it causes the symptoms leading to heart disease.

Lower Cortisol

There are ways to aid in decreasing the production of cortisol. Some of it can actually be dietary . So this part is within your control. The following vitamins and supplements can help in staying healthy, and reduce cortisol levels.

1. Magnesium. Can aid in reducing cortisol levels.

2. Omega 3 fatty acids. This helps with cortisol, and decreases stress levels.

3. Vitamins C, A, E. Each aid in the immune system and stress levels.

4. Vitamin B. This helps sustain the nervous system, and break down the food you take in from calories to the energy you need.

5. Glutathione. Glutathione(GSH) is the natural, master antioxidant in your cells. You need GSH for various functions in your body. Including heart health.

Contact me for a free online consultation.

6. Stay away from too much caffeine, get proper sleep, avoid burn out whether that is your job or something else that effects your stress levels.

If you want to control your cortisol levels you need to get control over your stress level.

Manage your Stress click here to get free stress management.

Stress Management Techniques techniques that you can do anywhere!

Breathing Exercises simple, fast exercises that are healthy for you.

Massage Therapy has proven to be very effective in stress relief and detoxing.

Take your heart health seriously. Be proactive in combating the number one killer in America, that is heart disease.

SBI!