Cortisol: The Root Of All Evils Or The Root Of All Health?

Cortisol… This hormone is rarely seen in a positive light. It’s almost always siad that it goes “hand-in-hand” with “stress” and the large number of harmful effects that it can possibly have on the body. But in reality, cortisol is EXTREMELY vital for the body − in tons of ways, our body’s very survival directly depends on it. Serious issues can arise, however, when the high cortisol levels become chronic. And that’s when it can turn into a DEADLY killer, which then leads to immune system deficiency and also cancer.

What Is Cortisol?

That’s the first big question… ‘What Is Cortisol?’

Well, Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is made by the signals from the hypothalamus and pituitary from the adrenal gland… It is produced in high amounts when a person is in “fight or flight” mode and when the body perceives that it is in danger (either physically or psychologically). According to our diurnal rhythm, the levels of cortisol in a healthy person will be highest in the morning (around 7 am) and lowest at night.

The many functions that cortisol can help the body with include:

• Keeping us awake and alert and preventing “brain fog” or physical fatigue
• Keeping blood sugar levels and overall metabolic processes balanced
• Reducing inflammation
• Helping with healing
• Assisting with memory retention and other cognitive processes
• Helping the developing fetus to grow
• Balancing blood pressure
• Allowing us to respond quickly to perceived danger

How Does Cortisol Connect With Breast Cancer?

Excerpt from TheTruthAboutCancer

When it comes to cortisol and breast cancer, it is a two-way street. There are numerous studies that suggest that cortisol levels tend to be higher overall and irregular in their daily patterns in patients with breast cancer. A landmark study conducted in 2000 by Stanford University found that 65% of advanced breast cancer patients had abnormal cortisol levels during the day (either abnormal peak periods or consistently flat). What’s more, mortality rates were significantly higher in these women than in the remaining roughly 35% whose cortisol levels were normal.

The researchers also found that the women with abnormal cortisol levels had fewer Natural Killer Cells, which played a major role in their lack of ability to curtail breast cancer metastasis. Recent studies have found the same correlation in men with prostate cancer. Amongst these is a 2016 study by the University of Buenos Aires that found significantly higher daytime cortisol levels in middle-aged men who had prostate cancer versus those who did not.

The other connection between high cortisol and breast cancer starts not with the cancer, but with the cortisol. Stress, poor lifestyle habits (including eating habits), lack of sleep, and physical illness can create a devastating cascade effect. When stress levels rise, the pituitary releases another hormone called ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), whose job it is to create more cortisol (as well as adrenaline). Over time, the adrenal glands become depleted from overwork.

Signs that you may be suffering from high cortisol levels include:

• Weight gain (especially around the midsection)
• Mood swings and anxiety
• Fatigue and muscle pain
• Trouble falling and staying asleep
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• High blood pressure
• A decrease in libido
• Increased urination
• Brittle bones
• Excessive thirst

Tests for Checking Cortisol Levels

If you feel that chronically high cortisol levels may be affecting you, there is a fairly simple blood test you can take. However, saliva testing may give you a more accurate picture. This is because the saliva samples are taken throughout the day, indicating where and when any cortisol bursts or depletions may be occurring.

The good news in all this is that there are several things you can do NOW to lower your cortisol levels for overall health. Probably themost important thing you can do is practice doing nothing! The main premise here is to REDUCE STRESS (and thus lower your cortisol levels) BY SLOWING DOWN on all levels.

Ways to Slow Down and De-Stress

Meditation is a proven way to go about doing this. A 2004 report published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology studied cortisol levels (among other things) of breast and prostate cancer patients who participated in a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program (MBSR).

The study found that decreased afternoon cortisol levels occurred overall for those who went through the training. It found that the MBSR program enrollment was“associated with enhanced quality of life and decreased stress symptoms in breast and prostate cancer patients, and resulted in possibly beneficial changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning.”

Meditation isn’t the only way you can de-stress your life, however. Here are some other stress-reducing and cortisol-lowering activities:

• Consider journal writing, walking, being in nature, practicing EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique or Tapping), or doing yoga or tai chi
• Moderate exercise, getting a good night’s sleep, and reducing EMF exposure from cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, and other electronics are all ways to make sure that cortisol and other stress hormones stay in balance
• Consider herbal supplements such as ashwagandha, licorice, holy basil, and ginseng
• And according to Dr. Josh Axe, the anti-inflammatory essential oils lavender, myrrh, frankincense, and bergamot have all shown to lower cortisol levels directly

Finally, if high cortisol continues despite all your efforts, consider seeking professional help. This is especially important if you have suffered a trauma or have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD). Remember that each day that an abnormal hormonal stress response continues is another step further away from health… and closer to dis-ease.

• Cortisol is commonly associated with “stress” and the many harmful effects that it can have on the body. Cortisol isn’t all bad and does serve an important purpose in the body. But chronic high cortisol levels can lead to immune system deficiency and even cancer.
• Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is produced by the adrenal gland. It is produced in high amounts when a person is in “fight or flight” mode.
• There are numerous studies that suggest that cortisol levels tend to be higher overall and irregular in their daily patterns in patients with breast cancer.
• Stress, poor lifestyle habits (including eating habits), lack of sleep, and physical illness can create a devastating cascade effect.
• Signs that you may be suffering from high cortisol levels include:
  • Weight gain (especially around the midsection)
  • Mood swings and anxiety
  • Fatigue and muscle pain
  • Trouble falling and staying asleep
  • Irregular menstrual cycles
  • High blood pressure
  • A decrease in libido
  • Increased urination
  • Brittle bones
  • Excessive thirst
• There are several things you can do now to lower your cortisol levels for overall health. The main premise here is to REDUCE STRESS (and thus lower your cortisol levels) BY SLOWING DOWN on all levels.
• Meditation is one proven way to lower stress levels. Here are some other stress-reducing and cortisol-lowering activities:
  • Journal writing, walking, being in nature, practicing EFT, or doing yoga or tai chi
  • Moderate exercise, getting a good night’s sleep, and reducing EMF exposure from cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, and other electronics
  • Consider herbal supplements such as ashwagandha, licorice, holy basil, and ginseng
  • Anti-inflammatory essential oils lavender, myrrh, frankincense, and bergamot have all shown to lower cortisol levels directly