All articles tagged with #cortisol
Doctors note that the number-one sign of chronically elevated cortisol is unexplained belly fat from visceral fat, which can occur even without changes to diet or exercise; cortisol levels can rise due to stress, illness, sleep deprivation, pregnancy, inflammation, and certain foods or medications, so consult a physician if you notice persistent abdominal weight gain accompanied by other health changes.
Chronic elevation of cortisol—the body's stress hormone—can show up beyond the obvious symptoms. Look for abdominal/visceral weight gain, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, poor sleep, and facial puffiness. Causes include ongoing stress, Cushing's syndrome, illness, sleep deprivation, pregnancy, and certain medications or supplements. Since cortisol levels can fluctuate and diagnoses can be tricky, consult a doctor if you notice persistent symptoms or notable health changes.
Doctors describe five surprising signs of high cortisol: weight gain around the midsection, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, poor sleep, and facial puffiness. The piece explains how chronic stress and other factors can raise cortisol, outlines possible causes (including Cushing’s syndrome), and suggests seeing a doctor to evaluate cortisol levels if these symptoms appear.
The article explains that waking around 3–4am is common and can stem from hormonal shifts (perimenopause/menopause), sleep disorders (insomnia, sleep apnea), nocturnal urination, and environmental or lifestyle factors. Sleep doctors advise calming the nervous system and addressing underlying issues: use slow breathing (eg, 4-7-8), follow a 15-minute rule for sleep after waking, try cognitive shuffling to quiet thoughts, keep a consistent sleep schedule, limit evening caffeine/alcohol, and optimize the sleep environment. If wake-ups persist, seek medical evaluation for potential underlying conditions.
Stanford neuroscientist Andrew Huberman emphasizes the importance of getting bright light in the morning to spike cortisol levels, which helps set a healthy circadian rhythm and optimize physical and mental health. He recommends exposure to natural sunlight or artificial light soon after waking and suggests incorporating movement to further support cortisol production, while dimming lights and avoiding caffeine at night to promote better sleep.
Eating kiwis before bed may help lower cortisol levels and improve sleep quality due to their rich vitamin C and K content, along with fiber that supports digestion and immune health.
Eli Health has launched the Hormometer, the first at-home, instant cortisol testing device that uses saliva samples and smartphone scanning to provide quick insights into hormonal health, aiming to make hormone tracking accessible and convenient for everyday use.
A personal experiment with the viral 'cortisol cocktail' on TikTok found no scientific evidence supporting its stress-reducing claims, highlighting that lifestyle factors like sleep and exercise are more effective for managing stress.
The article discusses the widespread misconceptions about cortisol, fueled by social media trends like TikTok, which often misrepresent its role and significance. It emphasizes that true cortisol disorders are rare and that normal fluctuations are misunderstood as problems, leading to unnecessary anxiety and ineffective treatments. The piece highlights the importance of medical expertise in diagnosing and understanding cortisol-related health issues, contrasting them with popular wellness claims.
The article discusses the role of cortisol, the stress hormone, highlighting that while necessary for survival, excess cortisol can negatively impact health and appearance. It offers five microhabits to help reduce cortisol levels and improve overall well-being.
A study from Liverpool John Moores University found that mild dehydration, consuming less than 1.5 liters of water daily, can increase cortisol levels by over 50% during stress, potentially leading to long-term health issues. Proper hydration is crucial for managing stress and maintaining overall health, yet many people underestimate their hydration needs, often not perceiving thirst as an indicator.
A person tested their cortisol levels throughout the day using Eli Health's at-home test, discovering elevated evening levels and a flat cortisol curve, which may indicate chronic stress. They plan to adjust lifestyle habits like caffeine intake and exercise timing to improve their cortisol balance and retest to monitor progress.
The article debunks the 'cortisol cocktail' trend, explaining that while cortisol is a vital hormone regulating energy and inflammation, the drink's ingredients like orange juice, coconut water, and salt do not effectively lower cortisol levels and may pose health risks due to high sugar and salt content. It emphasizes that managing stress through mindfulness, exercise, and social connections is a safer and proven way to support healthy cortisol levels, rather than relying on trendy drinks.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that people drinking less than 1.5 liters of water daily experience higher cortisol levels during stress, suggesting that mild dehydration may amplify stress responses and impact health over time. Proper hydration could be a simple, accessible way to improve stress resilience, although more research is needed to confirm long-term benefits.
A study from Liverpool finds that adults drinking less than 1.5 liters of fluids daily have a significantly higher cortisol response to stress, which may increase risks of heart disease, diabetes, and depression, emphasizing the importance of proper hydration for stress management and long-term health.