Balance is the key element when it comes to cortisol, a hormone produced in your adrenal glands. Cortisol performs many vital functions, including:
Many of these tasks contribute to cortisol’s role in controlling the “flight or fight response.” When your body senses danger, cortisol kicks in with the physiological responses that enable you to either flee the danger or fight it. Your heartbeat increases, blood flows to your major muscle groups, your nervous system is on hyper alert - all thanks to cortisol and other hormones like adrenaline. In this state of emergency preparedness, even the clotting ability of your blood increases, in case of injury. To create a fast supply of energy, you metabolize carbohydrates faster.
From an evolutionary perspective, these responses made a lot of sense. Long ago, stressors were often direct threats requiring a fast physical response, one that still serves us well in certain stressful situations.
Now, however, much of the stress in modern life is chronic stress, and we have much more sedentary lives. The cortisol our bodies release in times of stress isn’t necessarily required to initiate a physical response.
As a result of our more sedentary and stressful lives, many women suffer from an imbalance in their cortisol levels. An excess of cortisol in the body can lead to many troublesome symptoms, including:
For menopausal women, these symptoms can be particularly pronounced. Cortisol levels rise at the end of menstruation, exacerbating menopausal symptoms at what is already a difficult time achieving hormonal balance. This is one of the main contributors to a frequent complaint among menopausal women: excess belly fat.
In menstruating women, excess cortisol can lead to painful, heavy, or absent periods. When estrogen is lowered from continuous stress and cortisol production, all the female hormone imbalance symptoms such as night sweats, sleep problems, and mood swings can get worse.
A healthy diet is one of the most effective ways to regulate cortisol levels. Start by implementing these habits into your daily meals.
Supplements that reduce inflammation and improve gut health can support lower cortisol levels. Some to consider include:
Taking any new supplementation should be discussed with a healthcare practitioner to make sure it’s the right fit for you. Let us know if you have any questions or if we can help you with a personalized wellness plan tailored to your needs.
Chronic stress contributes to problems with cortisol because your body is in a constant state of alert. However, reducing stress is often easier said than done. Focus on coping mechanisms to help address the way you respond to stressful situations.
The rise in your cortisol levels can also be an effect of imbalance from the body’s different hormones. Having your hormones regularly checked can help you maintain balance and know if you should start taking action towards any fluctuations that can affect your daily life. Organic Excellence At-Home Test Kits can help you know the state of your hormones easily at the comfort of your home.
Make sure to contact your naturopathic doctor or visit our medical center inside our store so we can guide you with your results and through the next steps in having your hormones balanced.
If you recognize any of the signs of high cortisol levels, it’s time to take a proactive approach to managing your response to stress. Let us know if you want to learn more about controlling cortisol levels - and improving your overall health!
Sources:
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