CORTISOL- THE POWERFUL HORMONE THAT FUELS THE STRESS OF MODERN LIFE
The fight or flight human stress system has insured human survival on earth for tens of thousands of yea
- Sugar, protein and fat are released into your blood to provide fuel for your muscles as you flee,
- Heart rate, blood pressure and breathing increase to deliver these energy nutrients and oxygen to all parts of your body,
- Your body stops long term projects, such as immunity, digestion and hormone production, in favor of short term survival. As Dr. Sapolsky aptly states in his book Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, “you don’t paint the garage when there is a tornado coming down your street”. In other words, digestion is inhibited, sex hormone production is reduced and your immune system declines.
- Increased appetite and food cravings
- Increased body fat, especially in the abdomen
- Decreased muscle mass
- Decreased bone density, or, osteoporosis
- Increased cholesterol and triglycerides
- Increased depression
- Increased anxiety
- Mood swings
- Decreased sex drive and sexual performance
- Weakened immunity and increased infections
- Memory and learning impairment
- Increased symptoms of PMS
- Increased menopausal side effects such as hot flashes and night sweats
- Obesity
- Coronary artery disease – angina and heart attack
- High blood pressure
- Insulin resistance and eventually diabetes
- Depression and anxiety
- Alzheimer’s disease due to shrinkage, or, atrophy of brain cells
- Osteoporosis due to accelerated bone breakdown
- Erectile dysfunction and loss of libido, or sex drive
- Recurrent infections due to impaired immunity
- Mild cognitive impairment with poor focus, concentration and memory
- Cancer

