Cortisol is a hormone, steroid, or glucocorticoid released in response to stress and a low level of glucocorticoids in the blood.
Cristina Tesare
Every day, you face multiple demands, from taking on an immense workload to paying bills and taking care of your family. Therefore, your body treats these minor annoyances as threats and manifests them as such, feeling you are under attack.
You can counteract the cortisol in your body. When you control the stress of your day-to-day, keeping you busy but calm during your activities.
The main functions of this hormone are to increase the level of sugar in the blood (gluconeogenesis), suppress the immune system, and help the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Enables the kidneys to produce hypotonic urine. Has anti-inflammatory effects by reducing histamine secretion and stabilizing lysosomal membranes.
Cortisol is released in response to stress
How does this hormone work in my body?
When you find yourself in a stressful situation, like a large dog barking at you during a morning walk, your hypothalamus activates an alarm system in your body (a combination of nervous and hormonal signals). When this happens, the adrenal glands, located above the kidneys, release a surge of hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol.
Adrenaline increases the heart rate and raises blood pressure. Cortisol increases sugars (glucose) in the bloodstream. Reduces functions that would be non-essential in a fight or flight situation. It Modifies the responses of the immune system in such a scenario.
This complex natural alarm system also communicates with the brain regions that control mood, motivation, and fear, allowing you to react more appropriately without putting yourself in a more cumbersome situation. When you get past the stress or fright of the moment, hormone levels return to normal.
On the other hand, Low cortisol has negative consequences on the body, including weariness, lack of appetite, and anemia. It could be related to adrenal gland malfunction caused by prolonged depression, inflammation, infection, or tumor, among other things.
This homone increases glucose in the bloodstream
Does it have benefits for my health?
Cortisol treats various ailments and diseases such as Addison’s disease, inflammatory, rheumatic diseases, and allergies. Low-potency hydrocortisone (cortisol) is available over the counter in some countries to treat skin problems such as eczema, rashes, among others.
This hormone helps maintain a healthy metabolism and a formidable immune system. To remain stable within the organism need to exercise moderately, especially if done in the morning hours.
Meditation also has a positive influence on the level of cortisol, as it helps control breathing and relaxes our minds. Of course, care needs to consider if there is a high level (increase) of cortisol in our body since there is a risk of developing health problems, such as:
- Anxiety and depression.
- Heart disease.
- Impaired memory and concentration.
- Digestive problems.
- Sleep problems.
- Overweight.
Overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones that operate in this way can affect practically every activity in your body, which is why learning healthy strategies to deal with life challenges is so vital.