Stress Hormone: Cortisol-What is it & how does it affect our health?

What is Cortisol?

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid/stress hormone. Glucocorticoids are the “flight or fight” hormones that are designed for severe stress situations. Emotional & physical stress can trigger the release of cortisol-the major glucocorticoid. Cortisol stimulates the breakdown of protein to amino acids to the liver, where they are synthesized to glucose.

Cortisol is regulated by ACTH, which is controlled by the anterior pituitary gland that is triggered by the hypothalamus (part of the brain that coordinates both the autonomic nervous systems, controls body temp, thirst, hunger, & is involved in sleep & emotional activity). Cortisol is released by the adrenal cortex in response to things such as stress, exercise, fractures, and burns.

Effects of Cortisol on the Body

· Regulates blood glucose levels

· Aid in inflammatory response & tissue remodeling

· Produce enzymes that break down proteins into amino acids. Meaning cortisol tears down muscle tissue when adequate energy is not available from carbs.

· Facilitates conversion of amino acids into glucose in the liver (gluconeogenesis)

· Inhibits protein synthesis (cells making protein)

Short-Term Stress Effects on the Body

· Increased heart rate

· Increased blood pressure

· Conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver followed by its release

· Dilation of bronchioles in lungs & increased breathing rate

· Changed to blood flow to shift blood to muscles where it is needed to either fight or run away

· Increased metabolic rate

Long-Term Stress Effects on the Body

· Retention of sodium and water by the kidneys

· Increased blood volume and blood pressure (therefore many chronically stressed people have hypertension)

· Proteins and fats converted to glucose or broken down for energy

· Increased blood sugar

· Suppression of immune system

Cushing’s Syndrome

Cushing’s Syndrome is a condition that develops in people with chronically elevated cortisol. This can result in:

· Reduced muscle mass and bone density

· Increased fat levels due to a slowed metabolic rate

· Redistribution of fat to the stomach area, face, or upper back

· Insulin resistance and predisposition to diabetes

· Hypertension due to regulate mineral salts, sodium, potassium in the extracellular spaces

· Suppressed immune system

· Mood swings, due to suppressed noradrenaline

· Can kill brain cells

Chronically elevated cortisol can have numerous negative effects. Especially in stressed people, cortisol can throw off the balance of the energy system. Overtrained athletes can exhibit the same symptoms.

When activity in the adrenal cortex is reduced, it can result in a condition called Addison’s Disease. This involves reduced amounts of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids, or cortisol. Symptoms include:

· Weight loss

· Decreased levels of glucose and sodium, and increased potassium levels. These changes can result in dehydration and hypertension.

It’s so important we know more about our bodies in and out! Learning yourself gives you more tools to keep yourself healthy & happy for a long long long time! Stress can really take a toll on us, so find what helps you relax & more importantly develop habits/routine/lifestyle that prevents stress, giving you more time spent being happy, productive, and having fun! Like snuggling Cheddar! 😽

Stay tuned! We will talk about ways to prevent & relieve stress soon!