Cortisol related afflictions are becoming more and more common these days. Though Cortisol is a hormone that is produced in our body, if it reaches a high level then it can lead to many kinds of problems such as weight gain, lowered immunity, heart trouble or chronic depression. It is possible to Reduce Cortisol.
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What is Cortisol?.
o It is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands and helps to prepare the body so that it may mobilize all its resources and use them for survival in situations when survival may be threatened.
o This secretion is part of the body's defense mechanism against threats since the primitive times.
o It also directs the body to refuel itself, and this triggers off a food craving.
Effective Tips To Reduce Cortisol:
Cortisol production in the body may be minimized in a number of ways. These are all natural methods, which you can adopt as simple yet natural ways to Reduce Cortisol.
1. Regular exercise releases endorphins in the body. These hormones promote an overall feeling of happiness and counter stress. Once stress levels are minimized, Cortisol production is also under control.
2. A balanced diet also helps. If the diet has a balanced combination of proteins and fats along with carbohydrates, the absorption of carbohydrates is slow. This ensures that the body does not experience erratic highs and lows of sugar levels. A lower sugar level leads to production of Cortisol. With a balanced diet the sugar levels can be made more stable, to reduce Cortisol.
3. Regular and sound sleep also helps to reduce Cortisol as it ketosis cortisol makes sure that the effects of stress are reduced. Moreover sleep deprivation mimics a crisis situation in the body leading to Cortisol production; hence a sound sleep of 7 to 9 hours is advisable.
4. To reduce Cortisol, a reduction of stress is very helpful. It has been proved that yoga , meditation, breathing exercises, and such other stress management techniques help the body to relax and repair the damage done by stress.
There are many great herbal/botanicals that can assist you in modulating your cortisol levels. There are primarily 3 kinds of outcomes with botanicals:
1. To prolong the cortisol response: This would be useful in cases of adrenal fatigue, in which the adrenals are UNDER-producing cortisol.
2. To lower the cortisol response: This is useful in lowering cortisol levels during times of heightened stress.
3. Adaptogens: These wonderful herbs interact with your body in a way that allows it to reach homeostasis no matter which direction cortisol is. If it is too low, the herb will raise it, is it is too high, then it will lower it.
Here are a few of the best botanicals to modulate cortisol:
To RAISE cortisol:
1. Licorice Root: This herb prolongs the half-life of cortisol by preventing its breakdown in the liver. Typically it is used in low-cortisol conditions, and low morning energy.
To LOWER cortisol:
2. Reishi Mushroom Extract: This herb works to lower cortisol and is particularly useful with individuals who have anxiety. It is very sedative and calming, and has numerous additional benefits, such as being anti-inflammatory.
3. Valarian Root Extract: This herb is another great one for individuals with anxiety. It is VERY effective at raising GABA levels in the brain and is useful particularly in the evening to help with sleep.
Adaptogens:
4. Holy Basil: This herb is an excellent well-rounded helper that can bring the body back to homeostasis. It not only balances cortisol levels, but also assists in supporting stress induced hypertension, blood sugar regulation, and supports the thyroid.