For most, it is no secret that good health is largely determined by the state of hormonal balance. Abnormal hormone levels can negatively affect every system in the body. This also applies to stress hormones. High cortisol levels result in many unpleasant symptoms and genuinely contribute to a worsening state of health. Therefore, it is worth ensuring its proper level. What are the symptoms of high cortisol? How to lower cortisol naturally? What lowers cortisol levels? We answer these questions in this article.
Cortisol allows the body to cope with stressful situations and, in times of threat, to trigger appropriate reactions. It must, therefore, be acknowledged that this hormone is essential. However, it is important to know that a prolonged excess of cortisol is an unfavourable, even harmful, phenomenon. The symptoms of such a condition are exceptionally unpleasant.
Cortisol – what is it?
Cortisol is a steroid hormone whose production and release are the responsibility of the adrenal glands. It regulates stress levels, can suppress inflammation, regulate blood pressure and sugar levels, and participates in controlling macronutrient metabolism. In a situation of potential threat, cortisol is released. This mechanism serves to enhance the fight or flight response. The problem is that persistently elevated levels of this hormone are highly undesirable.
Chronic stress is one of the main causes of elevated cortisol
How to lower cortisol levels? First, it is necessary to identify the factor responsible for this condition. One must remember that while the body needs to maintain proper levels of this hormone, a persistently high level of cortisol should be considered pathological. The causes can have various origins.
Increased concentration of this hormone may occur in the course of certain diseases or be the result of taking certain medications. However, practice shows that chronic stress most often affects high cortisol levels.
The level of stress directly affects well-being and health. When stressed, unpleasant symptoms appear that persist for a long time. Not everyone associates them with excessively high levels of the stress hormone.
Too high cortisol – symptoms
Excess cortisol manifests itself in various ways. The symptoms are not specific, so they can easily be confused with symptoms of other conditions or ailments. However, if they occur, it is worth considering whether they are related to excessively high levels of this hormone.
Too high cortisol – symptoms:
- increased blood glucose levels,
- stimulated appetite,
- stimulated thirst,
- increased frequency of urination,
- problems with falling asleep,
- insomnia,
- hypertension,
- mood swings,
- reduction in muscle mass.
How to lower cortisol naturally?
Since chronic stress is largely responsible for excessively high cortisol, one should consider how to deal with this phenomenon. In other words, the answer to the question "How to reduce cortisol levels?" correlates with the answer to the question "How to reduce stress?".
Appropriate exercises and lifestyle changes show great effectiveness in this area. How to lower cortisol naturally? How to calm the nervous system without resorting to pharmaceuticals? The best ways are:
- breathing exercises,
- caring for the time and quality of sleep,
- regular physical activity,
- maintaining healthy relationships with the environment,
- finding an appropriate balance between work and rest.
How to lower cortisol – diet
Above, we explained how to lower cortisol naturally. We must mention that while natural methods yield good results, cortisol reduction also requires changes in eating habits. It must be remembered that there is a correlation between diet and hormonal balance. How to lower cortisol with a properly composed diet? We hasten to explain.
Scientific studies confirm that excessive sugar consumption has a negative impact on stress hormone levels. And not only sugar, because elevated cortisol can also be associated with frequent consumption of excessive amounts of saturated fats. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that a properly balanced diet, rich in macro- and microelements, and excluding ingredients considered harmful, will genuinely contribute to reducing the concentration of this hormone.
We are well aware that preparing healthy meals on your own can be difficult, especially for people suffering from a chronic lack of free time. However, it is possible to maintain a healthy diet without cooking. eatyx cold meals and other ready meals come to the rescue.
Take, for example, eatyx COMPLETE MEAL CHOCOLATE. This is an exquisite meal for self-preparation (it takes only 10 seconds), developed by experts in healthy eating. It contains all the necessary macronutrients, balanced in the most favorable proportions. In addition, it has as many as 26 vitamins and minerals. The meal's composition does not include added sugar or preservatives, so eatyx chocolate flavor can be safely included in a healthy diet. Our offer also includes dishes in other flavor variants, including:
Another factor determining the usefulness of eatyx meals in the fight against elevated cortisol is their content of adaptogens. This term refers to natural substances that increase the body's adaptive capabilities, which translates into a better response to unfavorable environmental conditions resulting from the presence of stressors, both physical and emotional. One of the most effective adaptogens is ashwagandha.
Ashwagandha and cortisol
This name refers to a plant that has been used in natural medicine for centuries. Thanks to its content of alkaloids and saponins, it reduces inflammation and pain, and these are just some of its beneficial properties.
Ashwagandha and cortisol – where is the correlation? As an adaptogen, this plant increases the body's ability to cope with stressors, thereby limiting the concentration of this hormone. Anyone wondering how to reduce stress levels and calm the sympathetic nervous system should consider reaching for cortisol-lowering supplements containing ashwagandha. eatyx HYPER BRAIN IQ BOOSTER – a high-quality supplement in shot form – would be an excellent choice.
