WELLBEING

The good behind ‘bad’ hormone cortisol

31 May, 2023 . 0

Cortisol may be known as the ‘stress hormone’ and the culprit behind many ills. But experts say its work is not all bad – in fact, we wouldn’t survive without it.

Known as the “stress hormone”, cortisol gets a bad rap as the culprit behind everything from high blood pressure to weight gainand trouble sleeping.

But this reputation is largely undeserved, Jean Hailes for Women’s Health endocrinologist Dr Sonia Davison says.

“Many people mistakenly believe their cortisol levels are at the root of health issues but in reality, this is rare,” Dr Davison says, adding that cortisol is crucial for a wide range of bodily functions, including regulating blood sugar levels and controlling inflammation.

“Without it, we wouldn’t survive,” she says.

5 reasons we need cortisol

Manage stress

Cortisol is a chemical messenger produced in the adrenal glands to help the body manage stress by increasing insulin and releasing energy.

“The usual stresses of human life may cause people to feel run down and tired or to struggle generally, but their cortisol production will most likely be exactly what they need to get through these life challenges,” Dr Davidson says.

And while it may sound counterintuitive, according to a 2016 study, increases in cortisol are associated with feeling more relaxed an hour later.

Stay energised

Nutritional biochemist and bestselling author Dr Libby Weaver says cortisol helps regulate metabolism and insulin, providing the energy we need to tackle the day.

“It has a direct effect on our experience of energy and vitality,” Dr Weaver says.

Beat burnout

Dr Weaver says cortisol plays a critical role in protecting us from the debilitating effects of burnout.

“If you have good amounts of cortisol, it’s one of the key protectors against those very significant consequences of burnout – joint pain, exhaustion, deep fatigue,” she says.

Sleep soundly

Cortisol plays an important role in managing circadian rhythm – the body’s internal clock.

“Our cortisol levels rise in the morning, so we jump out of bed rather than hit the snooze button, and then decrease to their lowest at around 10pm, so we can sleep,” Dr Weaver says.

Stay youthful

Recent research suggests cortisol may be necessary for controlling the ageing process, and a deficiency could result in premature ageing.

“Cortisol is an incredibly powerful anti-inflammatory,” Dr Weaver says.

“Rampant inflammation can be very degenerative to cells and tissues, leading to the breakdown of structures that eventually cause the signs of ageing.”

Can you have too much or too little cortisol?

Dr Davison says the body has a sensitive, self-regulating system to balance cortisol levels that rarely goes astray.

“Addison’s disease, where cortisol production is dramatically reduced, and Cushing’s syndrome, where cortisol production is in overdrive, are two such examples, but these health conditions are rare,” she says.