Cortisol - The Stress or Death Hormone
Cortisol is called the "stress hormone" because it is secreted during times of fear or stress, whenever your body goes into the fight or flight response. Cortisol is made in your adrenals. In the constant state of stress so commonplace today, cortisol creates chronic to severe inflammation that eventually causes premature aging and leads to an earlier death. In fact, cortisol is often called, "the death hormone."
Cortisol suppresses another important, DHEA, the "youth" hormone.
Cortisol causes blood sugar to elevate and this then leads to an acidic blood condition. Acidic blood leads to the modern life-style epidemics we see today like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Some other affects of elevated cortisol are:
Lowered immunity
Poor short-term memory
Constipation
Weight gain, especially in the abdominal region and the waist
Loss of muscle tone
Reduced growth hormone, testosterone, DHEA and estrogen
Osteoporosis
Cortisol is a hormone that is secreted by the body in response to stress. Even though cortisol is a necessary hormone, and helps the body deal with stress, constant exposure to it due to chronic stress hurts the body and causes health problems. Evolutionary theory suggests that cortisol is responsible for cravings for high calorie foods in stressful situations. New research suggests that cortisol is responsible for a decrease in insulin sensitivity. It is for this reason that cortisol is linked to weight gain and belly fat in particular. Before popping in an expensive weight loss supplement that claims to get rid of belly fat, consider employing some common sense lifestyle and try breathing in some lavender to help reduce cortisol levels. As documented in the following journals, you will see how research has proven that when breathing ior soaking n lavender essential oils between 5 to 10 minutes a day can reduce cortisol levels.
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