The hormone cortisol is called the stress hormone because it is produced by the adrenal glands in stressful situations. This substance of organic nature is necessary to improve the brain activity of a person, support his nervous system during times of stress and stimulate the work of the heart. If cortisol is elevated in the human body, then this can lead to certain troubles for his health in the form of obesity, irritability, thyroid disorders, etc. You should carefully consider the question of how to lower cortisol in order to avoid the above problems and continue to lead a full, healthy life.

Cortisol: concept, features

Before talking about how to lower cortisol levels, it is necessary to understand what this hormone is in general and what its normal level should be.

So, cortisol is a hormone that is found in the human blood and is produced by the adrenal glands. It is not surprising that it is called the stress hormone, since it begins to be actively produced during strong nervous experiences, worries, upheavals, etc.

When a person is in a normal physical and emotional state, the level of cortisol in the blood is in the range of 10 mg. At the same time, elevated cortisol levels are in the 80 mg range. This condition entails undesirable consequences and complications in the form of destruction of the nervous system, pathological changes in the work of muscles, metabolic disorders, etc.

If cortisol is elevated, this should not be ignored. The following symptoms will help determine the level of the hormone in the blood, as well as prescribe the correct treatment to normalize the level of this substance in the body.

Symptoms

Elevated levels of cortisol in the blood are characterized by the following symptoms:

• A person is constantly in a state of stress, although there is no particular reason for this.
• Uncontrollable weight gain occurs, even if a person follows a strict diet and eats a healthy diet. In most cases, this means that the level of cortisol in the body is high, at least much higher than the norm requires.
• there is increased irritability, sometimes aggression is manifested.
• palpitations occur. An increase in cortisol in the blood causes vasoconstriction, which increases the pulse and heart rate. In such cases, urgent treatment is required, because heart problems can lead to terrible consequences.
• Starts to worry about insomnia.
• Libido is noticeably reduced, which leads to problems with male potency.
• The work of the thyroid gland is disrupted, which causes hormonal failure, the level of other important hormones in the body decreases.

There may be additional signs of elevated cortisol: general weakness, depression, disruption of the digestive tract, nervousness, increased sweating, etc.

All the symptoms of high cortisol can be confused with some other disease, so it is recommended to seek the help of an experienced specialist who will help establish an accurate diagnosis.

The reasons

Treatment

Excess cortisol in the human body should not be ignored. To reduce the level of this hormone in human blood, it is necessary to undergo complex treatment, which is prescribed by a doctor.

As a rule, this is a drug treatment, during which the patient needs to take certain medications that help lower blood cortisol. However, there are additional, non-drug methods that are no less popular and are very effective:

Moderate physical activity and sports. Morning exercises, hiking in the fresh air, cycling - all this provokes a decrease in the level of the stress hormone, as the body becomes more resistant to such situations.

Complete rest. Speaking of physical activity, do not forget about proper rest. Cortisol in men returns to normal if you sleep at least 8 hours a day, worry and worry less.

Healthy food. To significantly reduce cortisol levels, sometimes it’s enough just to adjust your diet to include more wholesome and healthy foods: cottage cheese, eggs, dairy products, low-fat foods rich in vitamins.

Meditation practice. This technique helps the body to relax and positively affect the functioning of the brain, which is responsible for all other organs and the production of hormones.

How to lower cortisol levels?

If cortisol is above normal, the following specific tips will help reduce its level in the shortest possible time. So what to do in such situations?

Take drugs based on Rhodiola rosea. This natural herb improves mood, lowers stress hormone levels, and helps burn unwanted fat.