Two daily habits blamed for elevated cortisol

Cortisol, a vital hormone for normal bodily functions, is increasingly being linked to negative health outcomes when its natural rhythm is disrupted by daily habits. While essential for waking up, responding to stress, and regulating blood sugar, prolonged elevated levels can cause issues like facial puffiness, acne, fatigue, and weight gain.

Doctors highlight chronic stress and poor sleep as two primary daily habits that negatively affect cortisol levels. Chronic stress, often stemming from busy schedules, constant digital engagement, financial worries, and strained relationships, keeps the body's sympathetic nervous system in a constant state of alert. This sustained activation prevents the parasympathetic system, responsible for rest and recovery, from functioning effectively. The consequences extend beyond mood, increasing the risk of insulin resistance, heart disease, anxiety, and depression.

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Kratkoročno, stres podiže kortizol na blagotvoran način, ali kada postane konstantan, telo održava kortizol povišenim duže nego što je normalno i narušava uobičajeni dnevni ritam, posebno tako da večernje vrednosti rastu baš kada bi trebalo da budu niske.

Similarly, insufficient or poor-quality sleep significantly disrupts cortisol's natural rhythm. When individuals consistently delay bedtime, often due to screen time or late-night activities, they interfere with cortisol's natural evening decline. In a healthy sleep cycle, cortisol levels are lowest in the early evening and gradually rise towards a morning peak. However, chronic sleep deprivation flattens this curve, leading to symptoms like daytime fatigue and cognitive fog.

Furthermore, relatively high evening cortisol levels associated with poor sleep can promote insulin resistance and impair glucose tolerance. This hormonal imbalance can also encourage increased calorie consumption and the accumulation of visceral fat, contributing to overall weight gain. Addressing these habits is crucial for maintaining a healthy cortisol balance and preventing associated health problems.

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Relativno visoki večernji nivoi kortizola podstiču insulinsku rezistenciju, narušavaju toleranciju glukoze i pojačavaju hormonske nepravilnosti koje promovišu veći unos kalorija i nakupljanje visceralne masti i raz