The increase in cortisol level is most often associated with frequent staying in a stressful environment. Demanding work, tense situation at home or on a road in a busy city - those are things that often make us stressed, what is the higher level of this hormone.
Cortisol - what are the causes of its excessive level?
Long-term elevated level of cortisol causes problems with psychoactive functions, disturbed sleep phases or general irritability. An excessive amount of it can also reduce the efficiency of the immune system and negatively affect the production of thyroid hormones and the conversion of T4 and T3.
Lack of proper regeneration (sleep) negatively affects the regenerative factors of muscles and body. A chronically elevated level intensifies the breakdown of muscle tissue and makes it difficult to get rid of fat stores, which leads to an unsightly figure, as well as inhibits the uptake of amino acids into muscle cells.
Vitamin C
The most popular compound used to lower cortisol is vitamin C. However, despite high doses (1-2 g per day), it shows a fairly weak effect on cortisol reductions. We do not say that it does not work - because it works - but there are supplements that work better.
Omega 3 fatty acids
The next noteworthy supplement is Fish Oil. Here we have 330mg EPA and 220mg DHA in one capsule!. These are the main fatty acids that reduce cortisol levels.
In addition, fatty acids are responsible for the proper functioning of neurons. Epidemiological studies and animal experiments show that the addition of omega-3 acids to the diet effectively inhibits the formation of carcinogens in the body. Omega-3 acids are particularly useful in inhibiting the development of breast, prostate and large intestine cancer - the most prevalent cancerous diseases of the present century.
Phosphatidylserine
One of the another preparations for lowering the cortisol level is phosphatidylserine. Phosphatide, as one of the few substances, has the ability to reduce cortisol levels by up to 30%. It has been shown that significantly protects the nervous system from the effects of acute and chronic stress. In addition, it supports the functioning of the nervous system and the brain, prevents neurodegenerative diseases and increases intellectual abilities.
5-HTP
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) - a compound that is a direct precursor to serotonin, a hormone that plays a very important role in the regulation of appetite, improve mood and optimize the secretion of other hormones, is one of the key products stabilizing cortisol levels. 5-HTP very well affects the issues of stress relief, regulates the work of the nervous system, causing that smaller amounts of catabolic adrenal hormone are secreted. Appropriate dosage will alleviate hyperactivity and reduce cortisol levels.
DHEA
DHEA is a hormone secreted by the adrenal gland, like cortisol. However, the first is anabolic, and the second referred in this article is catabolic. Stress causes excessive secretion of cortisol, which ultimately leads to homeostasis between these hormones to be disturbed. DHEA causes an increase in well-being, self-confidence and protects against the formation of metabolic syndrome.
Ashwagandha
The last of the presented today and the most recommended supplement suppressing the secretion of cortisol is Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)
Withania Somnifera is widely appreciated for the mood-enhancing, anti-stress, anxiolytic, antidepressant, improving adaptation to the environment, increasing self-confidence, extroversion and openness to new experiences.
Its properties are due to the ability to sensitize serotonin (5-HT) receptors, so that the same amount of serotonin by binding to a specific receptor acts more strongly and efficiently, i.e. increases the frequency of nerve impulses on serotoninergic pathways. Already 500 mg of Ashwagandha extract lowers cortisol by several percents! However, the dose that brings the most benefit in the fight against cortisol is not less than 1500 mg. In this case, we recommend Ashwagandha Gold from Apollos Hegemony
