Cortisol is a corticosteroid hormone that is most commonly known as the "stress" hormone because of its role in the body's physiological response to physical and emotional stress. The presence of cortisol is necessary to maintain homeostasis throughout the working systems of the body. However, if the body undertakes consistent stressful situations, the subsequent increases in cortisol can cause some health issues.
Function
Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands, which are positioned just over the top of both kidneys. The brain signals for it to be secreted after a stressful situation causes the hypothalamus in the brain to release the corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), which then signals to the pituitary gland to release the adrenal corticotrophic hormone (ACTH). ACTH then is carried throughout the blood system and to the adrenal cortex, where it tells the adrenal glands to secrete cortisol.
Effects
Once the body secretes cortisol, it acts to return the body to normalcy after a stressful situation. It regulates the energy and metabolism system by choosing which of the energy sources (carbohydrates, fat or protein) are needed at any given time. It also has the ability to break down the body's storage of fat, so that it can be delivered to the muscles that require the energy source. According to Christine Maglione-Garves et al at the University of New Mexico, cortisol also has the ability to work as an anti-inflammatory, yet it also suppresses the immune system, so that the body can focus on returning to homeostasis.
Features
Cortisol is naturally released more in the morning and progressively decreases throughout the day, seeing its lowest levels during sleep. When individuals are under stressful situations, however, the amount of cortisol that is released significantly increases.
Warning
Large amounts of cortisol secretion can have detrimental effects. It can raise blood pressure and decrease bone density. In addition, its suppression effects on the immune system can reduce the system's ability to respond and address health situations. TestCountry.org explains that having too much cortisol can also lead to Cushing's Syndrome, or rapid weight gain. In some cases, individuals may not secrete enough cortisol as necessary during times of stress, possibly causing Addison's disease, which is displayed by significant weight loss, muscle discomfort, mood swings and fatigue.
Considerations
Cortisol has gotten attention for its effects on body fat storage. Maglione-Garves notes that it has been found to have a direct correlation in the amount of fat a person stores. In addition, Elissa Epel et al at the University of California, San Francisco found that women who are stressed and have increases in cortisol secretion have an increase in appetite, sugar cravings and weight gain.
