Let’s talk about CORTISOL. 

Photo by Denny Muller on unsplash.com 

Cortisol is produced by the Adrenals. It’s primary roles are; 

• Counteracts insulin 

• Stabilize blood sugar

• Support healthy cardiovascular system 

• Keeps immune system in check 

• Aids in protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism

• Regulates arterial wall contraction 

• Regulates serum sodium and potassium 

• Supports healthy bone metabolism 

• Helps maintain a healthy thyroid 

• Stimulates normal gastric secretions. 

One point I want to expand upon is the point that cortisol counteracts insulin. This means that when you eat sweets, the sugar level in your blood most likely will go up above an acceptable and normal range therefore insulin will be produced to bring the sugar level down. A high sugar level in the blood can be very dangerous, so cortisol is often called upon, especially if it is a regular occurrence as is often the case in our modern diets. Sugar is in most everything.  

Here are the effects of high cortisol; 

• Suppresses immune function 

• Can inhibit bone formation (osteoporosis) 

• Long-term exposure will impair memory and learning 

• Can elevate blood pressure 

• Contributes to insomnia, agitation, anxiety, restlessness 

• Reduces collagen production in the skin (causes wrinkles) 

• Reduces gastric secretions leading to poor digestion 

• Can cause temporary infertility (when cortisol is normalized, reproductive capability may be restored) 

The moral of this story is that it is best to avoid refined sugar as much as possible. Better forms of sugar are - maple syrup, raw honey, coconut sugar, date sugar. Always consume in moderation.