CORTISOL & ADRENAL HEALTH

Cortisol is the stress hormone and main player involved in the ‘fight or flight’ response. When your body feels under threat, the adrenal glands release a spike in cortisol to give you the energy to fight your ‘predator’ (in this modern age those threats are typically not life-threatening) or run away. This is a normal, natural and intelligent response from the body! Furthermore, stress is not the only reason your body releases cortisol, the levels are constantly going up and down according to what your brain feels it needs. For example, it starts to increase during the night (around 2 or 3am), peaking around 8 or 9am and gradually decreasing during the day, until it tops itself up again while you sleep. Cortisol has been described as the “water of life”, as it binds to every cell in your body making it involved in virtually every bodily system. The main functions of cortisol include;

​

• Preparing the body to deal with stress or danger

• Helping control blood sugar and blood pressure

• Regulating how the body uses food and gets energy, i.e. your metabolism

• Playing a role in helping the brain form memories

• Helping the body recognise when it is time to sleep and when to wake up

​

On the down side, this 'fight or flight' response sustained for long periods of time, becomes not such a great thing. Your body can’t keep this stress mode up, the adrenal glands will struggle to produce the necessary amounts of cortisol needed, and your body systems will consequently start to break down. A classic example of this adrenal imbalance is being unable to get out of bed in the morning. This is your adrenals crying out for some love and support. The wear and tear that chronic stress puts on your body is linked with numerous mental and physical health issues, including;

​

• Thyroid issues

• Anxiety & Depression

• Digestive issues

• Headaches

• Heart problems

• Difficulty sleeping

• Gaining weight

• Problems with memory and concentration

​

At Darling Health, our experienced team of Naturopaths, Clinical Nutritionists, Acupuncturists and Psychologists are here to help combat the myriad of struggles associated with chronic stress, elevated cortisol and adrenal imbalances. We combine both holistic diagnosis with conventional medical investigations to explore your particular health concerns associated with your adrenal imbalances and chronic stress. Our qualified practitioners will assess you as an individual, prescribing focused treatment plans and natural solutions to promote optimal health and well-being, and help your body return to a state of balance.