Cortisol, often called the stress hormone, plays a crucial role in energy management and blood sugar regulation. Its secretion, controlled by the hormone ACTH, varies throughout the day and can be measured by a blood test. However, high cortisol levels can lead to a variety of symptoms and are often linked to excessive stress or Cushing's disease. Learning how to manage these levels is therefore essential to maintaining a healthy hormonal balance.
Understanding Cortisol: The Stress Hormone
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stressful situations. During stressful times, the body sets off a chain of events: the hypothalamus sends a signal to the pituitary gland, which releases adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) into the bloodstream. This hormone then stimulates the adrenal glands to produce and secrete cortisol.
This hormone has several essential functions in the body, including:
- Regulation of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism
- Suppression of the immune response
- Reduction of inflammatory processes
Cortisol is also involved in regulating the nycthemeral rhythm (day/night cycle). Generally, its level is higher in the morning and decreases throughout the day.
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Certain creams and skincare products can help soothe the skin and reduce signs of stress that can be associated with excess cortisol production.
Here are some ingredients to look for in creams and skincare products that may have indirect beneficial effects on stress levels or the effects of cortisol on the skin:
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Aloe Vera : This ingredient is known for its soothing and moisturizing properties. It can help reduce redness and skin irritation often associated with stress.
Antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E) : These ingredients can help protect the skin from the effects of free radicals produced by stress and exposure to polluted environments.
Hyaluronic acid : It intensely hydrates the skin, which can be useful if stress affects the skin barrier, making it drier and prone to inflammation.
Magnesium : Although most commonly taken orally, there are creams and serums that contain magnesium, a mineral known for its relaxing effects and role in stress reduction.
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Essential oils (lavender, chamomile) : These oils are known for their relaxing properties and can be included in creams or serums to help soothe the skin while reducing anxiety.
Go For Protection facial treatment has been formulated with prebiotics, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, ingredients that fight against excessive production of cortisol.
Cortisol production: regulation and influencing factors
ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) is a polypeptide hormone secreted primarily by the pituitary gland. Its main role is to stimulate the production of cortisol by the adrenal glands, acting as a primary activator of this process. ACTH binds to receptors on the surface of adrenal cells, triggering a series of biochemical reactions that lead to the conversion of cholesterol into cortisol. This mechanism is essential for maintaining hormonal balance and responding effectively to stress.
The daily cortisol cycle: morning peak and diurnal decline
Cortisol follows a daily cycle called the nycthemeral rhythm. This cycle includes a morning peak that typically occurs between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. This peak corresponds to the time when the body prepares to face the challenges of the day.
Then, cortisol levels gradually decline throughout the day. The lowest level is usually reached around midnight, when the body is in rest and recovery mode.
This diurnal cycle is regulated by ACTH, a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. Variations in cortisol levels throughout the day are essential to maintain our energy and alertness.
It should be noted that this rhythm can be affected by various factors such as stress, lack of sleep or certain pathologies.
Impact of stress on cortisol levels
Stress, whether acute or chronic, has a significant impact on cortisol levels. In stressful situations, our body reacts by releasing an increased amount of this hormone, thus causing an increase in the energy available to cope with the situation.
However, prolonged exposure to stress can lead to an overproduction of cortisol, disrupting hormonal balance. These high cortisol levels can have deleterious effects on health, including:
- Disruption of fat metabolism, leading to weight gain
- Increased blood pressure, which in the long term can promote the onset of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis or thrombosis
- Sleep and mood disorders such as depression and anxiety
It is therefore crucial to effectively manage stress to maintain healthy cortisol levels. Different techniques can be used for this purpose, such as regular physical activity, breathing exercises, or seeking a better balance between professional and personal life.
The effects of cortisol on the body
Cortisol plays a major role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, essential to provide the body with the energy it needs. In fact, this hormone participates in gluconeogenesis , a process where the liver synthesizes glucose from other substrates, thus helping to maintain stable blood sugar levels.
- For carbohydrates , cortisol promotes the release of glucose into the blood, providing a quick source of energy for the body.
- Regarding lipids , it stimulates the breakdown of these in tissues, which can potentially lead to a redistribution of fats in the body.
- For proteins , cortisol facilitates proteolysis (breakdown of proteins) and limits their synthesis in muscles. This can lead to muscle wasting if cortisol levels are excessively high over a long period of time.
So it's clear that cortisol has a significant impact on how our bodies handle these essential macronutrients, and proper regulation of its levels is crucial for a healthy metabolism.
Anti-inflammatory effect of cortisol
Cortisol has important anti-inflammatory properties for our body. It is involved in regulating our inflammatory response by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory mediators. These mediators are substances produced by our body in the event of inflammation and which promote the recruitment of white blood cells to the site of inflammation.
- The anti-inflammatory action of cortisol helps to limit excessive inflammation, which can be harmful to our body.
- In particular, it reduces chemotaxis, that is, the ability of white blood cells to move towards areas of inflammation.
- Cortisol also limits the proliferation of white blood cells, helping to prevent excessive inflammatory reactions.
These anti-inflammatory effects of cortisol are essential for maintaining the balance of our immune system and preventing tissue damage when inflammation occurs.
Strengthening the immune system with cortisol
Cortisol, in addition to its roles already mentioned, also participates in strengthening the immune system. Indeed, in situations of acute stress, it can stimulate our non-specific immune defenses, that is, our first line of defense against pathogens, such as viral infections. Natural killer cells and macrophages, two types of immune cells, then see their numbers increase, thus optimizing the neutralization of bacteria and viruses.
Furthermore, cortisol exerts immunosuppressive effects, thus regulating the expression of immune cells. In particular, it inhibits the production of lymphocytes and macrophages, two types of cells in the immune system. However, this inhibitory action can lead to immunosuppression in cases of chronic stress, with constantly elevated cortisol levels.
Cortisol also plays an anti-inflammatory role by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, molecules that promote inflammation. This action helps modulate immune responses to infections and pathogens, helping our body cope with external aggressions.
