Characteristics of the hormone

1.Name. Cortisol (hydrocortisone, or 17-hydrocorticosterone, compound F).

2. Cortisol- a biologically active glucocorticoid hormone of steroid nature, that is, it has a sterane core in its structure (Fig. 3).

3 .Biosynthesis. Cortisol is synthesized by the adrenal cortex from cholesterol. In an adult, the adrenal glands secrete 15-30 mg of cortisol per day. The rate of synthesis and secretion of cortisol is stimulated in response to stress, injury, infection, and a decrease in blood glucose concentration. An increase in cortisol concentration suppresses the synthesis of corticoliberin and ACTH through a negative feedback mechanism.

4 .Biological role. Cortisol is vital because... participates in the regulation of many metabolic processes, mainly carbohydrate metabolism. The hormone stimulates the process of gluconeogenesis.

Gluconeogenesis- the process of formation in the liver and partly in the renal cortex (about 10%) of glucose molecules from molecules of other organic compounds - energy sources, for example, free amino acids, lactic acid, glycerol.

In addition, cortisol is responsible for protective reactions: during prolonged fasting, it prevents the level of glucose in the blood from falling below a critical level, increasing its synthesis and slowing down its breakdown. In stressful and shock situations, it maintains blood pressure (not below the critical level).

5.Mechanism of action of cortisol

The nervous system reacts to external influences (including stressful ones) by sending nerve impulses to hypothalamus. In response to a signal, the hypothalamus secretes corticoliberin , which is carried by the blood via the so-called. gate system directly in pituitary and stimulates the secretion of them ACTH . The latter enters the general bloodstream and, once in the adrenal glands, stimulates the production and secretion of the adrenal cortex cortisol .

Cortisol released into the blood reaches target cells(in particular, liver cells), penetrates by diffusion into their cytoplasm and binds there with special proteins - cortisol receptors. The resulting hormone-receptor complexes, after “activation,” bind to the corresponding area DNA and activate certain genes, which ultimately leads to increased production specific proteins. It is these proteins that determine the body’s response to cortisol, and therefore to the external influence that caused its secretion.

The reaction consists, on the one hand, in increasing the synthesis of glucose in the liver and in manifesting (resolving) the action of many other hormones on metabolic processes, and on the other hand, in slowing down the breakdown of glucose and protein synthesis in a number of tissues, including muscle. Thus, this reaction is aimed mainly at saving the body’s existing energy resources (reducing their consumption by muscle tissue) and replenishing lost ones: glucose synthesized in the liver can be stored in the form of glycogen, an easily mobilized potential source of energy.

Cortisol inhibits formation via a feedback mechanism ACTH : Once cortisol levels are sufficient for a normal defense response, ACTH production stops.

In the bloodstream, cortisol is associated with corticosteroid binding globulin– a carrier protein that is synthesized in the liver. This protein delivers cortisol to target cells and serves as a reservoir for cortisol in the blood. In the liver, cortisol undergoes transformations to form inactive, water-soluble end products (metabolites), which are excreted from the body.

Glucocorticoids have a diverse effect on metabolism in different tissues. In muscle, lymphatic, connective and adipose tissues, glucocorticoids, exhibiting a catabolic effect, cause a decrease in the permeability of cell membranes and, accordingly, inhibition of the absorption of glucose and amino acids; at the same time, in the liver they have the opposite effect. The end result of glucocorticoid exposure is the development of hyperglycemia, mainly due to gluconeogenesis.

Fig.4. The mechanism of action of cortisol on the target cell.

6. The cortisol level varies depending on the time of day: in the morning there is usually an increase in cortisol, in the evening the cortisol value is minimal.

Increased synthesis of cortisol is observed in Itsenko-Cushing's disease. Itsenko-Cushing's disease (Cushing's disease) is a severe neuroendocrine disease accompanied by hyperfunction of the adrenal cortex, associated with hypersecretion of ACTH. Hypersecretion of ACTH causes increased secretion of cortisol, which leads to impaired carbohydrate metabolism, osteoporosis, hypertension (increased blood pressure), skin atrophy, fat redistribution, and hirsutism in women.

One of the reasons for insufficient secretion of the hormone cortisol may be Addison's disease. Addison's disease (hypocortisolism) is a rare endocrine disease, as a result of which the adrenal glands lose the ability to produce sufficient amounts of hormones, primarily cortisol. The disease may be a consequence

primary adrenal insufficiency(in which the adrenal cortex itself is affected or poorly functioning),

or secondary adrenal insufficiency, in which the anterior pituitary gland produces insufficient adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to adequately stimulate the adrenal cortex.

Addison's disease leads to chronic fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of weight and appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, low blood pressure, skin hyperpigmentation, hypoglycemia, decreased circulating blood volume, dehydration, tremor, tachycardia, anxiety, depression, etc.

is a stress hormone that is necessary for the proper functioning of our body. It is important to maintain a balanced cortisol level, this will not only improve your emotional state, but also reduce inflammation and maintain a normal body weight.

How is cortisol produced?

Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands when we feel threatened or experience certain external pressure. The pituitary gland determines how much adrenal hormone to release to enable the body's fight-or-flight response.
In modern life, when we are constantly under stress due to the pressure of circumstances, intense work, and the presence of a large number of obligations, anxiety does not stop.
In this state of constant danger (anxiety), the body activates cortisol, which contributes to many problems - insomnia, constant worry, chronic fatigue and others.

The hormone is not produced solely under the influence of stress, it has other functions, but chronic stress activates cortisol, increasing its levels in the blood. Cortisol is also a regulatory hormone that regulates the functioning of hormones such as estrogen, testosterone and thyroid hormones.

This graph shows how cortisol levels fluctuate throughout the day. Normally, cortisol increases in the morning and gradually decreases in the evening. The different colored curves reflect the natural levels of variation of a given hormone in different people and we will analyze them further.

But when we are in a state of chronic stress, cortisol is produced almost constantly, and the curve becomes like a roller coaster.

Ideal cortisol

In an ideal state, cortisol is highest in the morning, allowing us to wake up refreshed and stay focused throughout the day. It gradually decreases during the day and evening. But if your energy is quickly depleted during normal activities, this could be a warning that your cortisol curve is off. Frequent colds or bursting are signs of an imbalance in cortisol levels. You can determine your cortisol levels using laboratory tests, but identifying the actual imbalance can be difficult and requires a comprehensive assessment.

High morning cortisol levels

Cortisol levels are typically lowest around 3am, then begin to rise rapidly, peaking at 8am. If you regularly wake up before dawn feeling anxious, it's likely your cortisol that's waking you up too early.

How to spot early morning cortisol increases

1. Rarely sleep through the night without waking up;
2. The mind upon awakening is immediately overwhelmed by a stormy stream of thoughts;
3. In the morning you easily get out of balance;
4. Your energy drops sharply around noon.

High cortisol levels all day long

If you are constantly stressed, under time pressure, not getting enough sleep, and living in a polluted big city environment, then you are more likely to develop high levels of cortisol throughout the day. You can drink a lot of coffee, go on a diet avoiding carbohydrates, work a lot, and then cortisol stress will not be long in coming.

How to identify the primary signs of such chronic cortisol stress:

1. You are constantly behind schedule and chasing after your plans;
2. At the same time you feel empty and, nevertheless, are able to find the strength to move forward;
3. People notice the excited tone of your conversation, fast speech;
4. You are easily irritated and lose interest in life;

High cortisol levels in the evening

If you play sports in the evenings, you feel a special boost of energy just after sunset - all this indicates a high level of cortisol in the evening hours.

Some common signs of high cortisol levels during the evening:

1. The process of falling asleep takes a very long time and is sometimes almost impossible;
2. You feel restless and nervous in the evenings;
3. You try to distract yourself by spending a lot of time on the Internet, watching TV, or even working at night, which usually leads to even higher cortisol levels in the evenings.

Low cortisol levels all day long

After cortisol has been elevated for a long period of time, it may disappear completely. When this happens, you will feel it.

This is sometimes called “adrenal fatigue” syndrome, but this concept is now being reconsidered - low cortisol levels are increasingly being correlated with pituitary dysfunction.

Causes include prolonged and intense stress, long periods of irregular sleep and a general lack of physical and mental rest.

Signs of low cortisol:

1. You feel drained even after a full night's sleep.
2. It takes a few cups of strong coffee and high-intensity workouts to boost your energy, but that boost doesn't last long;
3. You fall asleep on the go, including situations that require your attention;

How to restore cortisol balance

As they say, this was bad news, but good news will follow. And they consist in the fact that the level of cortisol can be controlled and is done by following certain rules, which we will consider below.

Is a low-carb diet healthy?

Following a low-carb diet can provide rapid weight loss, but if you have problems with cortisol, then this is the main contraindication for following this diet. There have been studies where people with cortisol imbalances ate healthy carbohydrates throughout the day, with an emphasis on the evening. Of course, these were not sweet cakes, but low-glycemic vegetables. As a result of this diet, they regained proper adrenal function.

Why is this happening? The fact is that cortisol decreases in response to the intake of carbohydrates. Have you ever wondered why we crave sweets so much when we’re stressed? Carbohydrates increase blood sugar levels and the pancreas increases the amount of insulin to cope with this increase. Insulin reduces the release of cortisol. When blood sugar levels rise, cortisol decreases.

Reducing carbohydrate intake can cause cortisol to be higher than its normal physiological values.

Dietary supplements for high cortisol

There are a huge number of recommendations for dietary supplements for cortisol imbalance. The main ones often isolated are vitamin C and B5 (pantothenic acid). In a 2010 study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, healthy subjects who took 2,400 mg of fish oil daily for six weeks had lower cortisol levels and showed leaner body weight.

Because vitamin B5 appears to reduce cortisol hypersecretion, it is recommended for patients with chronic stress. A complex of B vitamins in active methyl or hydroxyl forms will be useful here (mainly for B9 and B12); it is also useful to consume vitamin C, but not more than 1000 mg per day.

Sufficient hydration

We're more likely to become dehydrated when we're stressed, because feeling anxious raises our heart rate and causes us to breathe faster and harder, which leads to fluid loss.

Even if we drink a lot of water, we are still susceptible to dehydration when we are stressed because we urinate more often. If you go to the toilet within half an hour after drinking liquid, this means that the body does not receive enough liquid; water does not enter the cells. Drink mineral-fortified water to improve hydration and mineral saturation.

Proper relaxation

The task of the adrenal glands is to protect us from possible threats. We are not evolutionarily designed for a lot of emotional stress. Most threats involved physical harm, and so the fight-or-flight response became ingrained in our genes. Now the level of stress forces us to develop either new reactions to stress, but this takes time, or to come up with options for adapting to stress. And one of the possible effective methods is proper relaxation, which will allow you to restore normal functioning of the adrenal glands.

As such relaxation, a walk, meditation, the opportunity to be in silence, without rushing anywhere, can be useful. It's best to try a few different methods and find what works for you. Practicing mindful eating will also help you eliminate emotional (cortisol) eating and help you maintain your body weight.

The best time for exercise is in the morning. The fact is that intense physical activity in the evening can provoke a non-physiological rise in cortisol and thereby cause insomnia or anxiety.
Plan your evening exercises in a relaxing way, let it be yoga or stretching, this will reduce your cortisol.

In traditional Tibetan medicine, the functions of cortisol described above are associated with an imbalance of lung, which means “wind.” Cortisol, like lung, increases in the morning hours and is active in the evening in people with imbalance. Tibetan medicine approaches to balancing lung include not only diet and a special daily routine, but also the use of spices. The best ones to balance out the moong are nutmeg, green cardamom and cumin. Add them to food for prevention or when the symptoms described by you appear.

There is also a whole set of complex compound preparations of Tibetan medicine to balance the wind and restore kidney (adrenal) function. Preparations containing withania somnifera include, for example,

Sleep is the key to health!

Getting enough rest is the key to restoring proper cortisol levels in the body. Eight hours of sleep is essential when stress levels are high, and proper preparation for bed will allow you to get the best sleep possible. Meditation and yoga in the evening will reduce cortisol levels. Adding the right low-glycemic carbohydrates to dinner and consistently taking herbal medications will improve.

Is taking melatonin justified in case of cortisol imbalance?

Melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle, works in tandem with cortisol. When cortisol drops, melatonin takes over and makes you sleepy. When you sleep, relatively low cortisol levels allow your cells to repair themselves. If cortisol levels remain elevated, your body cannot make repairs and you wake up feeling tired. Therefore, taking melatonin in a dose not exceeding 3 mg is justified in case of cortisol imbalance.

Once your cortisol levels are restored to proper levels, you will be able to:

1. cope better with stress;
2. actively make decisions;
3. feel active throughout the day without experiencing a loss of energy;
4. the quality of sleep will improve;
5. the number of colds will decrease and the body will recover faster.

Source: yusipova.com

Editorial opinion may not reflect the views of the author.
In case of health problems, do not self-medicate, consult your doctor.

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Cortisol is a hormone that attracts many with its mysterious nicknames. Which of you, having heard the phrase “cortisol is the death hormone,” would not want to know why it was called that? And when you are exhausted from an endless stream of problems and ailments, you often hear from doctors: you need to check your cortisol level. For what? If there is little of it, the body gives in to difficulties, if there is a lot of it, it itself causes even more difficulties. And when the boss is dissatisfied at work again, they were rude in public transport, moldy bread was sold in the supermarket, and the children didn’t do their homework at home, only cortisol will help you survive.

This hormone is given to us by the adrenal glands. Human kidneys are very small in size and located deep inside the body. Conveniently located above them are even smaller glands, which provide the body with a wide variety of hormones. This diversity is possible due to the heterogeneous structure of the adrenal glands.

The outer layer is covered with the cortex, the cells of which release cortisol into the blood - the hormone hydrocortisone (scientific name for cortisol), and the inner layer is the adrenal medulla. This substance supplies catecholamines to the body. Both perform a lot of complex work so that a person can live without pain and experience comfort. But let's get back to cortisol.

So, cortisol is a hormone that begins to be produced if the pituitary gland sends a signal to the adrenal glands. This signal comes in the form of adrenocorticotropic hormone. Under the influence of this substance, the adrenal glands begin to produce cortisol from cholesterol. All hormones that are synthesized by the outer (cortical) layer are similar in chemical composition, since they are produced from cholesterol and for this reason are classified as steroids. In addition to cortisol, the outer layer of the adrenal glands also synthesizes estrogens and androgens. Ready cortisol enters the blood either on its own or together with proteins or red blood cells. In each of these types, cortisol performs specific tasks.

The most important purpose of cortisol is to provide the body with energy. He does this by extracting glucose. To supply the body with the required amount of this substance, cortisol converts fats into fatty acids and then into glucose. It works in tandem with insulin, which helps cells absorb glucose supplied by cortisol. The most active work of cortisol begins in the early morning, even before dawn. It is this process that gives you vigor in the morning.

A person constantly needs energy, but if he is stressed, the body's cells especially need glucose. This is why in stressful situations, increased production of cortisol begins, since more workers are needed to produce glucose. Hence the nickname: the stress hormone - cortisol. Only it does not create stress, but helps to survive it.

But if stress drags on, a person does not calm down, cortisol begins to break down everything into glucose, switching from fats to proteins. All internal organs are made of proteins, so excess cortisol leads to the destruction of tissue of internal organs, and autoimmune reactions begin. This is how our assistant turns into a killer called cortisol - the death hormone.

What else does cortisol do? This hormone does a lot of work in other directions. It normalizes the balance of sodium and potassium in the blood, helps the immune system stop in time so as not to destroy even the necessary cells, that is, cortisol triggers an anti-inflammatory reaction when the lymphocytes have already completed their tasks. However, if you are stressed, the increased amount of cortisol, which is produced in response to stress, destroys all the lymphocytes in the body. weakened, the body becomes susceptible to disease. That's another danger

Cortisol is a very busy hormone. Among its tasks one can also note the activity of maintaining the heart muscle, influencing the neurons of the brain, compressing and expanding the walls of blood vessels and many other irreplaceable tasks. The balance of cortisol in the body is restored during night sleep. Conclusion: in order to be friends with cortisol, you need to value the opportunity to sleep at night.

In what cases does a person need cortisol, what is it and why are fluctuations in its amount in the body dangerous?

Athletes are especially interested in this issue, since the substance affects the amount of muscle mass and the ratio of fat in the body.

What are the symptoms of elevated cortisol, what significance does it have for a person, what happens in the body when its level fluctuates and how to normalize it?

The hormone cortisol is a glucocorticosteroid hormone that has a sterane core in its molecular structure. It is formed in the outer layer or cortex of the adrenal glands.

Its production is regulated by ACTH or. Its production occurs under the influence of releasing factor in the hypothalamus.

Cortisol in the blood is responsible for the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism and is necessarily involved in the development of stressful situations.

Diurnal fluctuations of the substance are characteristic: in the evening its amount is minimal, and in the morning a high level of the hormone is observed.

When released into the blood, the substance enters the liver cells and can easily penetrate the cell’s cytoplasm and nucleus.

Strengthens the synthesis of glucose in liver cells, reduces the breakdown of this carbohydrate in tissues.

Accordingly, this is the preservation of the body’s energy reserves.

In parallel, a significant increase in its level leads to a decrease in the concentration of ACTH in the blood.

Everyone needs to know the natural levels of the hormone in human blood. The normal level of cortisol in the blood is as follows:

• in the morning - from 171 to 536 nmol/liter;
• in the evening - from 64 to 327 nmol/liter.

The norm for men and women should be the same.

Why is cortisol called the death hormone?

Indeed, some doctors call this hormone nothing more than the death hormone. The thing is that it is formed under very strong stress.

The substance forces the human body to work at its limit. Theoretically, a prolonged increase in the hormone can lead to death.

That is why emergency measures must be taken to reduce its level in the body.

Is cortisol really that bad? Its release into the blood is one of the oldest reactions of our body to a sudden change in the environment.

In the primitive era, people had many stressful situations that required an immediate response: a sharp change in weather conditions, and the fight against wild animals and strangers.

Today, the need for this has disappeared: conflicts, as a rule, are resolved in other ways.

However, the body's reaction to stress in the form of a release remained. This leads to phenomena such as:

• decreased immune activity;
• inhibition of cognitive functions;
• accelerating the breakdown of proteins and carbohydrates to produce large amounts of energy.

As a result, rapid fatigue occurs, disruption of the cardiovascular system and a decrease in the intensity of immune defense.

Moreover, if the level of cortisol is elevated for a long time, then a person’s memory is lost, production is disrupted, which, in turn, leads to depression.

It has been proven that prolonged increases in cortisol can lead to suicide.

Why is the rate increasing?

The reasons for increased cortisol in the body are as follows:

1. Prolonged fasting or poor-quality and irregular nutrition. If a person has a level of glucose in the blood that is significantly lower than normal, then the level of cortisol will certainly increase. This is caused by dietary restriction due to the desire to lose weight: a strict diet can contribute to the occurrence of hypoglycemia.
2. Chronic stress that forces the body to work to the limit, using all the resources available for this. There is a disturbance in the general hormonal balance.
3. Sports activities.
4. Fluctuations in ACTH levels.
5. Consuming large amounts of coffee. It has been proven that just one cup of drink can increase cortisol levels by a third. There is also a change in the level of corticotropin and other hormones.

The body's reaction to an increase

Elevated levels contribute to the development of a number of diseases in humans. If the amount of this substance is increased, the following symptoms and predispositions are observed:

1. Decreased muscle mass. At high levels of the substance, it is muscle tissue that begins to be digested first, in contrast to the normal state, when glucose is used first for energy production.
2. Increase in fat mass. If a person's cortisol is higher than normal, this contributes to a strong feeling of hunger. Particular cravings arise for sweets, since cortisol is responsible for carbohydrate metabolism.
3. Appearance. If this happens for a long time, then the figure becomes like an apple.
4. Risk of developing diabetes. When cortisol is produced in increased quantities, insulin levels under the influence of increased cortisol become noticeably lower than normal. Glycemia inevitably increases due to the breakdown of muscle tissue (to glucose). Thus, type 2 diabetes gradually develops.
5. Potency disorders(decreased libido and weakened erectile function), since a high level of cortisol in the blood of men leads to a decrease in the production of testosterone.
6. Decreased immunity(despite the fact that the hormone has certain anti-inflammatory properties).
7. Development of cardiovascular pathologies. cortisol, released in large quantities into the blood, increases the heart rate. This is due, first of all, to a decrease in the lumen of the arteries. The risk of stroke and heart attack increases.
8. Nervousness(since with increased cortisol, all body reactions become more severe).
9. Intestinal dysfunction. Diarrhea and bloating develop. Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the large intestine occurs quite often.
10. Increased urination. The male body often suffers from this, especially in the presence of inflammatory processes in the prostate.
11. Increased sweating.
12. Development of osteoporosis. This is explained by a decrease in the level of absorption of calcium and collagen.

If cortisol is elevated, this condition needs correction, because it can cause disruption in the functioning of all organs.

Decreased hormone levels

There may also be low cortisol in the body. The causes of this condition may be the following pathological processes:

• impaired kidney function;
• a sharp decrease in body weight due to a strict diet;
• drop in the production of essential hormones;
• decreased pituitary function;
• tuberculosis process.

A long-term lack of this substance in human blood leads to the development of the following phenomena:

• significant reduction in body weight;
• a sharp decrease in blood pressure even with minor physical exertion;
• the appearance of headaches, sometimes dizziness;
• low appetite (up to a person’s complete refusal to eat);
• alternating diarrhea and constipation;
• frequent exacerbation of hypoglycemia episodes (long-term unresolved condition threatens irreversible changes in the cerebral cortex);
• increased irritability;
• depressive state.

The dangers of cortisol for an athlete

Cortisol in men quickly leads to the destruction of previously formed muscle tissue. In this case, the tissue is broken down into simple amino acids and glucose.

At the same time, blood pressure rises and the blood transports glucose to the brain. Because of this, the level of adrenaline also increases.

A constant increase in the amount of this hormone can cause chronic stress and signs of fatigue in an athlete. Metabolism gradually deteriorates.

According to doctors, chronically high cortisol leads to a gradual gain of so-called visceral fat.

If cortisol is elevated, this contributes to the appearance of excess deposits in the abdominal area in men and in the thighs in women.

It has been proven that regularly exceeding the duration of sports training contributes to increased catabolic destruction of muscle mass.

That is, instead of increasing muscle mass and normalizing the figure, the opposite happens.

And since cortisol is primarily responsible for the metabolism of carbohydrates, the athlete is recommended to take special supplements. A personal trainer can tell you more about this.

The athlete should not allow ACTH changes. This can be achieved by regulating the time and intensity of sports training and proper nutrition.

If the ACTH level is normal, then blood pressure will also be like that of a healthy person, and metabolism and the functioning of the central nervous system will occur without disturbances.

How to normalize indicators?

How to ensure that the hormone in the body is normal? You can reduce elevated levels of this hormone in different ways:

• regulation of the duration of sports training (it is enough to train for just an hour to reduce the negative effects associated with hormonal imbalance);
• taking amino acids and carbohydrates during and after training;
• nutrition support with a limited amount of quickly digestible carbohydrates, coffee, alcohol and an increased amount of fats and “slow” carbohydrates;
• taking supplements to reduce cortisol;
• stress management;
• positive emotions. This is an important weapon in the fight against high cortisol: even a short laugh can lower the amount of the hormone cortisol.

The reasons for increased cortisol may be different; your doctor will tell you in detail how to reduce it after the necessary tests.

Correcting low adrenal hormone levels is somewhat different. It should be carried out only taking into account medical observations.

If cortisol is low, it is necessary to constantly use synthetic analogues of glucocorticosteroid hormones.

The most commonly prescribed drugs are Prednisolone or Dexamethasone. The dosage of drugs is individual. Self-medication with such drugs is strictly contraindicated.

Additionally, symptomatic treatment is carried out only as prescribed by a doctor. All drugs for the treatment of hypocortisolism can have side effects, and therefore must be taken very carefully.

Taking licorice preparations will help increase the reference values ​​of cortisol in the blood. All these medicines are sold in pharmacies.

Their use (necessarily with the permission of a doctor) will help regulate the content of this hormone and improve a person’s condition.

According to doctors, both increased and decreased levels in men and women are dangerous.

A healthy lifestyle best normalizes its readings and contributes to the treatment of all hormonal pathologies.

In stressful situations, during physical exertion, lack of food, or when a person is stressed for a long time, the brain's pituitary gland sends a signal to the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. This increases concentration and physical activity.

Cortisol is a type of defense mechanism that activates the body's reserves to combat stress and difficult conditions. Cortisol will help you search for food better, give you explosive strength, and allow you to cope with work faster.

Mechanism of action of the hormone

When cortisol increases, the body uses all possible energy resources. Amino acids and glucose leave the tissues and enter the blood, which increases concentration and brain activity, and also provides energy.

In this state, a person makes decisions and draws conclusions faster, however, this can lead to aggressive behavior and constant stress.

Muscles break down because the body requires a lot of glucose and amino acids. All this is in the form of glycogen and is contained in the muscles. And a large amount of glucose can cause some kind of adrenaline shock, which puts a lot of stress on the body.

A constant amount of cortisol leads to poor health, decreased metabolism, obesity and metabolic disorders.

How to reduce the harm of cortisol for an athlete?

Since the main group of people who are heavily exposed to cortisol are athletes, they need to know how cortisol damages muscles.

There is also a need to use special supplements containing phosphatidylserine. BCAAs and simple carbohydrates during training can also reduce cortisol levels. Cortisol is produced mainly due to a lack of glucose and amino acids. If you provide the body with small portions during training, the level of the hormone in the blood will be reduced.

The same recommendations are suitable for an ordinary person who often experiences stress, is tense at work, or is subject to constantly more mental work. If you feel weak or, conversely, energized, but have not eaten, then this is a sure sign of cortisol production. There is a need then to put aside work and affairs, go eat and relax.