Cortisol is an essential hormone that our body needs to survive. When under stress, our body releases it to cope with the pressure we are subjected to that requires us to act fast—an impending deadline, a race we have to finish, being caught in a calamity or an emergency situation....
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Category Archives: Stress
Symptoms of Chronic Stress
Chronic stress can be caused by illness, anxiety over financial matters, social crises, or emotional instability. Almost anything that causes physical or emotional pain can produce a stress response. If the source of stress is not resolved, chronic stress can result. Chronic stress can cause weight gain, fatigue, muscle weakness...
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Cortisol, Stress & Your Weight
The cortisol hormone serves many important functions in the body such as regulating blood sugar and blood pressure and providing energy for exercise and activity. Cortisol also plays a key role in the immunity and healing processes. [Greenspan F.S., Stewler G.J. (eds): Basic and Clinical Endocrinology. Appelton & Lange, Stamford,...
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Cortisol, Stress & Abdominal Fat
Cortisol causes bone cells to stop growing or to release calcium into the bloodstream. Excessive cortisol levels can lead to osteoporosis. Cortisol causes some fat cells to release their fats known as triglycerides, and causes other fat cells to absorb excess triglycerides. Fat Mobilization One effect of the stress response...
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The Connection Between Cortisol, Stress & Insulin
Overview Insulin acts on individual cells to allow cells to absorb glucose. Insulin resistance occurs when insulin is present at normal or high levels in the bloodstream, but does not allow cells to accept glucose. The result is high glucose as well as high insulin levels in the bloodstream. Obesity...
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Activities to Help You Manage and Cope with Stress
“Persistent, unremitting stress leads to a variety of serious health problems. Anyone who suffers from chronic stress needs to take steps to alleviate it, either by learning simple techniques to relax and calm down, or with the help of qualified therapists.” ~ George Chrousos, M.D., and Philip Gold, MD, National...
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