Stress Hormone: Cortisol—— The Roles and Diseases it Takes Part in

Over recent years, due to the changing social environment and increasing challenges, stress and stress-related feelings especially after COVID-19 pandemic are on the rise. These stressors containing global conflicts, personal health, economic downturn, rising up family responsibilities, etc^[1]. 

What are Stress Hormones

In response to stressors, stress hormones as cortisol, catecholamines, vasopressin and growth hormone are going to secrete as signaling molecules and activate certain body systems  to modify one's internal environment during stress. By performing various functions such as mobilizing energy sources, increasing heart rate, and downregulating metabolic processes that are not immediately necessary, stress hormones promote the survival of the organism and to allow a person to escape a threat.^[2]

Roles of Cortisol

Cortisol as one of the main stress hormones, is a steroid hormone in the glucocorticoid class of hormone. It is produced in many animals, mainly by the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex in the adrenal gland.

When hypothalamus and pituitary gland sensing the level of cortisol in blood, they will adjust the level of the amount of hormones they make and sending signals to adrenal glands for fine-tuning the amount of cortisol they release.

In human body, cortisol plays important roles in managing the ways for using carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, keeping inflammation down, regulating blood pressure, increasing blood sugar (glucose), controlling sleep/wake cycle, boosting energy for handling stress and restores balance afterward.^[3]

Cortisol and Diseases

Though cortisol plays an important role in maintaining body homeostasis, the level of it should keep in normal range, otherwise may bring up to several health problems.

1. Abnormally high levels of cortisol 

Taking large amounts of corticosteroid medications, having tumors that produce adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the brain’s pituitary gland, having a nodule (mass) in adrenal gland can trigger body to make too much cortisol. This can cause a condition called Cushing syndrome. It can lead to:

·Rapid weight gain and upper body obesity

·Buffalo hump

·Pink or purple stretch marks on the stomach, hips, thighs, breasts and underarms

·Muscle weakness

·Acne

·Other health problems

2. Abnormally low levels of cortisol 

If body doesn’t make enough of cortisol, it may cause have a condition called Addison’s disease. The damage of adrenal gland or diseases or disorders of the pituitary gland may cause this disease. The symptoms of this disease appear over time, which might lead to:

·Fatigue and lethargy

·Muscle weakness that grows worse

·Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting

·Low mood or irritability

·Loss of appetite and weight

·Low blood pressure

How to Manage Cortisol Levels

Except for medical treatments, several ways can also do help to stable cortisol levels.

1. Lifestyle changes:

·Do proper physical activities

·Prioritizing good-quality sleep

·Get outdoors

·Practice mindfulness

2. Have balanced diet:

· Take in magnesium-rich foods (such as avocados, bananas, dark chocolate, broccoli and spinach)

· Take in foods high in omega-3 fatty acids (like fish, chia seeds, flax seeds and walnuts)

· Take in gut-friendly foods (like Greek yogurt, kombucha and sauerkraut)

· Stay hydrated

3. Improve psychological well-being:

· Make time for play and laughter

· Connect with others and maintain healthy relationships

· Learn to limit stress and stressful thinking patterns^[4]

^Reference

[1] American Psychological Association. (2023). Stress in America 2023: A nation recovering from collective trauma.

[2] "Stress and hormones". Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Ranabir S, Reetu K (2011). 15 (1): 18–22.

[3] Cleveland Clinic. Cortisol (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22187-cortisol).

[4] Cleveland Clinic. Tips to Reduce Cortisol Levels and Dial Down Stress (https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-reduce-cortisol-and-turn-down-the-dial-on-stress)