Lower cortisol: How to beat stress and fatigue

01 Cortisol: the stress hormone
02 The functions of cortisol in the body
03 Symptom guide: high vs low cortisol levels
04 Effects of an elevated cortisol level
05 How to lower your cortisol levels
06 Nutrients and plant substances that can lower cortisol
07 Conclusion

You can lower your cortisol levels through exercise, sleep, diet and the right supplements.

Our bodies and their mechanisms for dealing with stress have changed little for over 60,000 years, while our lifestyles and diets have changed dramatically.

Consequently, it doesn’t matter to our bodies these days whether the stress is caused by a ferocious lion or by your stressful everyday life and juggling between job, family and commitments. This is because the brain triggers chemical reactions in both situations to protect us.

This protective mechanism, which used to be used for fight or flight, can lead to problems today because there are many stress triggers in our lives, but stress relief hardly ever happens. This can lead to chronic stress and a permanent increase in the stress hormone cortisol.

Cortisol: the stress hormone

This hormone, which is produced by the adrenal glands, belongs to the group of glucocorticoids. Receptors for this stress hormone are present in almost all tissues of the body. Therefore, cortisol can (negatively) affect almost every one of our organ systems:

• Nervous system
• Immune system
• Heart health
• Breathing
• Reproduction
• Musculoskeletal

The functions of cortisol in the body

Cortisol increases blood glucose levels by promoting the release of glucose from the body’s energy stores and activating fatty acids as a source of energy. Additionally, cortisol has anti-inflammatory properties and influences the body’s immune response.

In stressful situations, cortisol is released as part of the natural stress response to mobilize your energy reserves and help you overcome short-term challenges.

Furthermore, cortisol plays an important role in regulating your sleep-wake cycle. This is because it ensures that you are energized in the morning and can relax throughout the day to enjoy a restful night’s sleep.

Symptom guide: high vs low cortisol levels

Effects of elevated cortisol levels

As already described, there are many docking points in the body for the stress hormone. Elevated cortisol levels can therefore have serious effects on very many areas of your well-being.

Scroll through our list and see if you recognize some of the symptoms. Then you probably have elevated cortisol levels.

Too much cortisol and your sleep

• Sleep problems: Cortisol plays an important role in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle. This is because disturbed cortisol levels, especially elevated cortisol levels in the evening or at night, can affect your sleep and lead to problems falling asleep, restless sleep, or early awakenings.

Too much cortisol and your metabolism

• Digestive problems: elevated cortisol levels can inhibit the release of digestive enzymes from the pancreas. This can lead to poorer nutrient absorption in the intestines, “leaky gut,” and diarrhea or constipation.
• Metabolic changes: Cortisol influences energy consumption in metabolism. Elevated cortisol levels slow metabolism, resulting in fewer calories burned. This can lead to the storage of excess calories as fat, especially in the abdominal area.
• Appetite increase and eating behavior: Cortisol can lead to increased cravings for high-energy and sugary foods. This increases caloric intake and increases abdominal weight gain.
• Fat distribution in the body: increased cortisol levels favor fat storage in the abdominal area. This fatty tissue in the middle of the body is particularly metabolically active and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes as well as other health problems.
• Insulin resistance: high cortisol levels reduce the insulin sensitivity of cells, which can lead to insulin resistance. Insulin is responsible for regulating blood glucose levels. Decreased insulin sensitivity leads to increased insulin production, which in turn promotes fat storage in the abdomen.
• Blood sugar level: A high cortisol level leads to increased glucose production, which can cause a short-term energy boost. In the long term, however, this leads to unbalanced blood sugar levels, which can cause energy slumps and fatigue.

Elevated cortisol levels and your cycle

Menstrual cycle: Cortisol levels affect the production and metabolism of estrogen and progesterone, the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. Accordingly, high levels of cortisol can disrupt the production of these hormones and affect the hormonal balance in the body. Estrogen dominance may be the result.

• Cycle Disorders: High cortisol levels can lead to cycles in which ovulation does not occur and menstruation becomes irregular or fails to occur. This can lead to difficulties in conception, for example.
• Changes in menstrual patterns: elevated cortisol levels can lead to changes in menstrual patterns, such as longer or shorter cycles, heavier or lighter bleeding, and increased premenstrual symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, or fatigue.
• Concentration problems: With chronic stress and permanently elevated cortisol levels, the brain can become overloaded and cognitive function can be impaired, leading to impaired concentration and memory problems.

Too much cortisol and your skin

• Collagen production: Cortisol influences the production of collagen, an important structural protein in the skin. As a result, this can lead to both premature aging, wrinkling, and overall poorer skin condition.
• Dry skin: Cortisol can affect the moisture content of the skin and lead to a disturbed skin barrier, eventually resulting in dry and dehydrated skin. Dry skin also causes itching, flaking and irritation.
• Skin immune system: Cortisol affects the immune system of the skin and increases sensitivity to external stimuli. This can disrupt the skin’s defense response, making it more sensitive to allergens, pollution and other substances.
• Sebaceous gland metabolism: Disturbed cortisol levels can lead to excessive sebum production, which can result in oily skin, clogged pores and acne, for example.

Increased cortisol levels and your immune system

• Inhibition of the immune response: cortisol has an immunosuppressive effect and inhibits the activity of certain immune cells, especially T cells. This weakens the immune response, as T cells play an important role in fighting pathogens and abnormal cells.
• Reduced inflammatory response: although inflammation is normally a natural defense response of the body, inhibition of the inflammatory response by cortisol can impair the immune system’s ability to effectively fight pathogens.
• Decreased antibody buildup: high cortisol levels can impair the immune system’s ability to produce enough antibodies to fight infections.

Here’s how you can lower your cortisol levels

To lower cortisol levels, you can take action yourself. The following measures have a cortisol-lowering effect. However, you should always approach the issue as holistically as possible:

• Relaxation exercises and meditation
• Breathing exercises
• Regular exercise (low-impact sports, walking, hiking, swimming)
• Sufficient sleep as well as a good sleep routine
• A balanced diet with both fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats.
• Avoid caffeinated beverages (yes, that’s right, no coffee in the morning)
• No alcohol and nicotine
• No excessive, performance-oriented sports
• Learn to say “no” when you feel exhausted.

Supplements that can lower cortisol

B vitamins

Vitamins such as B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9 (folic acid) and B12 are essential for energy metabolism and support of the nervous system. They also help to convert food into energy and contribute to stress management. Vitamin B6 also helps regulate hormone activity, which may be important for balancing elevated cortisol levels.

Make sure you get enough B vitamins by including foods like legumes, whole grains, leafy green vegetables, nuts and seeds, eggs and lean meats in your diet.

If you are taking medications like the pill, be sure to supplement B vitamins as they are blocked by the medication.

You can find a complete vitamin B complex with all eight nutrients of this group, for example, in the ADAPTO GENIE Balancing Complex from Ogaenics.

For more information on how B vitamins support you during stressful times, see the article “Why B Vitamins Help with Stress.”

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic plant used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. It can help relieve stress by adjusting the body’s stress response and lowering the stress hormone cortisol.

The most researched Ashwagandha extract in the world is the so-called KSM-66 Ashwagandha. In a study of healthy volunteers, it lowered cortisol levels by an average of 27.9 percent after 60 days. The clinical dosage used in this study is in Ogaenics in the ADAPTO GENIE Balancing Complex.

Saffron

Saffron is a spice plant that is considered a natural antidepressant. While it doesn’t directly lower cortisol levels, it can still help improve mood to help relieve stress.

For example, incorporate saffron as a spice in your dishes to help boost mood and reduce stress, or take a supplement. For example, you can find a clinically researched saffron extract in Ogaenics’ ADAPTO GENIE Balancing Complex.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants protect the body from oxidative stress, which can be exacerbated by stress and high cortisol levels.

Therefore, consider foods with natural antioxidants such as berries, melons, green tea and dark chocolate to reduce oxidative stress. You can also improve your antioxidant supply with a supplement containing, for example, superoxide dismutase (SOD).

Superoxide dismutase is the most powerful antioxidant enzyme that neutralizes free radicals and protects cells from damage. Highly effective SOD from organic melon extract can also be found in clinical dosage in ADAPTO GENIE Balancing Complex.

Magnesium

Magnesium is an important mineral that is critical for energy production, muscle relaxation as well as stress management. It also helps to lower cortisol levels. A deficiency of magnesium can lead to fatigue as well as increased stress.

So make sure you’re getting enough magnesium by eating foods such as dark leafy greens, nuts and seeds, legumes, and whole grains, or by adding a supplement to your daily routine. For example, you can find a natural and particularly effective magnesium in CALM A LAMA Plant Based Magn esium from Ogaenics. It comes from an organic algae extract.

Supplementing with magnesium is definitely necessary if you are taking medications such as the pill, as they interfere with magnesium absorption from food.

For a more comprehensive overview of the many benefits of magnesium and more information on magnesium deficiency, be sure to read the articles “The Magnesium Effect: 9 Reasons You Should Love the Mineral” and “Magnesium Deficiency: Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions.” These articles will deepen your understanding of the importance of magnesium to your health and provide you with valuable advice to improve your quality of life. And did you know that magnesium also helps your liver detoxify? Learn more about this in the article “Detox: What you can do in everyday life to detoxify”.

Conclusion

Chronic stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which can have various negative effects on the body and energy levels. Too much cortisol in the blood can lead, for example, to sleep problems, digestive problems, metabolic changes, increased appetite, unfavorable distribution of fat in the body, insulin resistance, blood sugar fluctuations, menstrual disorders, impaired concentration, premature aging of the skin, and a weakened immune system.

To lower cortisol levels and address these problem areas, in addition to relaxation exercises, regular exercise, adequate sleep, a balanced diet, and avoiding caffeinated beverages and alcohol, you should pay equal attention to certain nutrients and botanicals that can help lower cortisol levels. These include B vitamins, ashwagandha, saffron, magnesium and antioxidants.

This blog article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. If symptoms of fatigue and stress persist, we recommend that you consult a qualified physician or professional.

Fatigue can also indicate an overloaded liver. You can find out what you can do about this in our article “Tired all the time? Maybe your liver is whispering for help”