Cortisol is a gluccocorticoid hormone secreted by the adrenal glands in response to environmental or psychological stress. High blood cortisol levels increase blood sugar, suppress the immune system and bone formation, promote catabolism and fat deposition in the torso. Chronically high cortisol is called hypercortisolemia or Cushing's syndrome and is a serious medical condition requiring treatment by a doctor. High cortisol can make you fat, but just because you're overweight does not mean you have a cortisol problem.
Recognizing High Cortisol
Step 1
Make an appointment with your doctor. The only definitive way to diagnose high cortisol is with a medical test. Your doctor can check for high cortisol with a blood draw, daily urine collection or saliva sampling over a 24-hour period.
Step 2
Take body measurements to determine where you have the highest amount of body fat. In addition to causing fattening of the abdomen, high cortisol causes fat to be deposited around the face, the upper back and the upper chest.
Step 3
Examine your body for red or purple stretch marks. Cortisol is strongly anti-diuretic, promoting water retention. The combination of fat deposition and water retention in the abdomen causes tearing of the skin, resulting in stretch marks.
Step 4
Observe other symptoms. These may include fatigue, muscle weakness, sleep disturbance, emotional or cognitive difficulties, high blood pressure, glucose intolerance, headache, bone loss as well as sexual and reproductive dysfunction.
Reducing Cortisol
Step 1
Consult with your doctor to see if any medications you may be on could be causing high cortisol. These medications include corticosteroids or other steroids, anabolic steroids or other medications or supplements that raise testosterone or lower estrogen. Supplements for fat loss may also raise cortisol.
Step 2
Improve your diet to eliminate any contribution to high cortisol. Focus on lean protein, fruits and vegetables and add a multivitamin.
Step 3
Consider herbs and dietary supplements to reduce cortisol. Although evidence is lacking, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, phosphatidyl serine, vitamin C, black tea and Rhodiola rosea have been shown to aid in cortisol reduction.
Step 4
Maintain a healthy living and work environment. Temperature and humidity can raise stress levels.
Step 5
Find other ways that help you reduce stress. Music therapy and massage have been shown to help. Experiment to find what helps you de-stress, and integrate it into your schedule.
