Cortisol results from activation of the stress response system.

Anxiety, depression, digestive problems, headaches, muscle tension and pain…heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke…. sleep problems, weight gain, problems with memory and concentration… These are just some of the health problems documented Mayo Clinicwith “long-term activation of the stress response system and excessive exposure to cortisol and other stress hormones,” which “can alter almost every process in the body.”

Although the body is designed to respond to stress in ways designed to protect itself from the threats of predators and other aggressors, the reality is that these types of dangers are no longer common, while others “haunt” us: overwork?, economic? problems?, family “burdens”?… These are new threats that lead us to stress that controls our lives.

OXALUD interviews a doctor Luis Gutierrez CerantesGP and Marnys employee to find out more about one of the social media buzzwords in recent months: cortisol. What is this and how to deal with it?

QUESTION. – When stressors are constantly present and we constantly feel “attacked,” the body is always in a state of anxiety. What is the connection between stress and cortisol?

REPLY.- Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is associated with the response to stressBecause cortisol levels change to change the body’s response to stressful situations, it is therefore known as the “stress hormone.” Its receptors are distributed throughout the body, so it acts primarily on the nervous, immune, cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

Question: When was this connection discovered and how is the research progressing to date?

A.- Although there has been a lot of talk on the topic in recent months, especially on social media, the functioning of the adrenal glands and the way they produce cortisol were discovered in the 19th century, and research into its effects in various processes in the body has continued since then.

Question: Can you cite any recent research that sheds light on this issue?

A.- There are various studies and reviews on this subject, but a very comprehensive and recent study that explains very well the role of this hormone in chronic stress, Role of cortisol in chronic stress, neurodegenerative diseases and psychological disorders.

Question: What are the symptoms of high cortisol levels?

A.- High cortisol levels for longer than usual can cause skin changes (acne, eczema flare-ups, slow healing, etc.), weight gain, headaches, difficulty concentrating, and weakness or fatigue.

Q.- What are the risks?

A.- This usually occurs in situations where our body experiences changes in its normal daily routine, such as lack of rest, an unbalanced diet, diseases that cause increased cortisol production, or environmental changes or stressors that affect our daily lives.

V.- But… stress affects all of us, and in the 21st century to a greater extent, and in big cities. Does all stress pose a risk to physical and mental health, or only if it becomes “chronic”?

A.- Cortisol levels rise in response to stress, and this is a normal process in our body where the body recognizes a threat in order to gain energy and cope with it. The problem comes when these levels remain high for a long time, as this can cause negative effects such as the symptoms I mentioned earlier.

Q: Do we respond to stressors in certain ways due to genetic or social reasons (education or life experiences)?

A.- The physical response is similar because the internal processes that are activated are common to all in order to prepare the body. As for the emotional reaction, it depends on various factors such as previous experience, age, preparation for that situation or information about it, proximity, etc. Moreover, the consequences of high cortisol levels due to stress

prolonged also affects the emotional level, manifesting itself as a lack of motivation, irritability, bad mood or feelings of sadness. Depending on the cause of the stress, episodes of anxiety and changes in behavior often occur.

Q: I have anxiety attacks, digestive problems, headaches, tension and muscle pain… I have suffered from high cortisol levels for years, and although recent tests do not indicate this, I cannot be “calm” ” What needs to be done? What is the treatment?

A.- It is always preferable to contact your family doctor and explain any symptoms, as to make a full diagnosis, apart from tests, other types of additional tests can be done to determine the origin of these symptoms, as they may be due to another condition.

Q: Can we learn to control stress and therefore respond to this pathology?

A.- Because cortisol levels rise in response to stress, I recommend taking steps daily to learn to control these episodes. For example, our nervous system will benefit from relaxation techniques, eating a balanced diet, as well as exercise and proper rest. There are ingredients that have a positive effect on the nervous system, such as vitamins. group B, which contribute to its proper functioning and reduce tiredness and fatigue, or hydrolyzed milk proteins, which have beneficial properties for mental well-being. We can find them in foods such as dairy products and cereals, as well as in dietary supplements containing natural active ingredients that promote physical and mental well-being. Melatonin also plays a key role in rest as it is the hormone responsible for our sleep cycle and is also available in liposome supplement form to aid its absorption in the body.