Signs of Increased Cortisol Levels

Filed under: Uncategorized - 30 Jan 2012  | Spread the word !

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Cortisol is an important hormone released in our body by the adrenal gland, which can be found on both our kidneys. As it is controlled by the adrenal cortex, it is also known as the adrenalcorticol hormone. Among the most important functions of cortisol, we can recall: maintaining blood pressure, stress management, immune system regulation and glucose conversion. Also, cortisol has anti-inflammatory benefits. So, cortisol has a primary role in increasing protein and fats breakdowns, and in inhibiting glucose uptakes. However, a high cortisol level can have negative consequences on every single level, meaning that it can affect all of our functions.

This is why it is important to learn some basic facts about the signs of increased cortisol levels. Firstly, an increased cortisol level can make anyone feel weak and tired. Moreover, a high cortisol level can lead to adrenal fatigue, which can have a disastrous impact on your sleeping habits and exercising capabilities. Thus, you will feel tired at all times and you will not have any desire to exercise. As the physical activity will be practically inexistent, you will gain weight. This is another common sign of an increased cortisol level. Also, the lack of activity will probably decrease your muscle mass too, depleting especially your skeletal muscles. On the other hand, your appetite will increase proportionally to the level of cortisol, so if you have cravings over night, this is definitely a sign of high cortisol levels. As an increased cortisol level is highly related to stress, this type of behavior has been associated with stress eating.

Last, but not least, perhaps one of the most worrying signs of increased cortisol levels is depression. All the aforementioned signs can mess with one’s mental health, so no wonder that depression strikes in. However, statistics show that an increased level of cortisol is also to blame for conditions such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obesity and bone loss. So schedule a doctors appointment as soon as possible, and make sure that your cortisol level is normal.

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Factors Affecting Cortisol Levels

Filed under: Uncategorized - 26 Jan 2012  | Spread the word !

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The steroid hormone called cortisol is found in the human body. There are many factors that affect the level of cortisol, in either a decreasing or an increasing way. For many people the evolution of cortisol in the organism is very important, as it can be related to the evolution of different transformations in the body, as well as to the emergence of various health problems. The cortisol levels are conducted and controlled by the pituitary gland peptide, however this can function normally or abnormally, depending on the functionality of the entire organism.

There are several factors which can reduce cortisol levels when needed. These may come as therapeutic occurrences for some diseases or issues caused by the high dose of cortisol. You can decrease the levels of this steroid hormone by taking supplements containing magnesium, omega 3 or vitamin C. Other activities and therapies which lower the doses of this substance are: music therapy, massages, crying, laughing, sexual intercourse and drinking black tea. Their effects on the hormone are strongly connected to the decrease of stress levels experienced and to the relaxation of the entire body. On the other hand, some events can cause the increase of stress levels and, in consequence, of the steroid hormone quantities, such as: deprivation of sleep, severe trauma, anorexia, commuting and so on. In the cases for which the reduction is mandatory, it can be done through the help of oral contraceptives, sexual stimulants, serotonin based drugs, caffeine in any form and intense physical workouts.

There are many reasons for which people may actually need to force the increase or the decrease of cortisol levels in the organism. However, these shifting quantities usually come up without the person experiencing them even noticing. Most of us go through all sorts of high or low levels of the steroid hormone cortisol during daily events. The main states of this evolution are connected to experiencing all sorts of stressful situations and, as we all know, these can come up numerous times a day, especially if you have a highly demanding job or educational activity. 

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Things To Know About Cortisol

Filed under: Uncategorized - 11 Jan 2012  | Spread the word !

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Cortisol is a hormone produced in the human body and which has an important role in its well function. Cortisol is described as a steroid hormone, being produced by the adrenal gland. To be able to better understand how cortisol is produced and the way it works, you need to know that the hormone is issued in response to stress. Since cortisol is released in higher levels when stress is experienced by an individual, the hormone will influence the blood pressure and also the blood sugar of that particular person, increasing their levels.

Still, the most important thing you need to keep in mind when it comes to cortisol is that the hormone has a crucial role in the well function of the human body. The normal level of cortisol existent in the body is different in different periods of the day. So, in the morning individuals are going to experience higher levels of cortisol, compared to the night, when it decreases. In medicine, cortisol can be used with many purposes, while the hormone extracted from the human body is known to have positive effects in treating allergies and also more serious conditions, such as rheumatism and also Addison’s disease.

Specialists also claim that cortisol use can help in the attempt to improve short term memory. Eczema is also believed to be easily cured when the treatments administrated are based on cortisol products. Cortisol can easily help patients overcome a series of health problems and the effects of its use are not limited to the conditions already mentioned. Since cortisol is normally produced in the human body as a response to stress development, stress being very dangerous for health, the hormone will protect individuals from the forming of various diseases, including depression. Stress is well known to be the most important cause of depression and when the body is functioning in a proper way, people are able to stay healthy. Knowing the way your body reacts and its functioning is highly important when it comes to diagnosing diseases as soon as they are formed, but also when it comes to making all those choices that can keep you healthy.

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