What lowers cortisol
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Factors That Lower Cortisol Levels
Cortisol, often referred to as the "stress hormone," plays a crucial role in the body's response to stress. Elevated cortisol levels can have various negative health impacts, including increased risk of chronic diseases. Understanding what can lower cortisol levels is essential for managing stress and improving overall health. Here, we explore several factors and interventions that have been shown to reduce cortisol levels.
Nutritional Supplements and Cortisol Reduction
Cortitrol Supplementation
Cortitrol, a nutritional supplement, has been shown to significantly reduce cortisol levels in response to both physical and psychological stress. In a study involving high-intensity resistance exercise, Cortitrol reduced cortisol concentrations at multiple time points before, during, and after exercise. Additionally, it lowered free radical production, indicating its effectiveness in modulating physiological stress responses.
Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (LNS)
Research on pregnant Ghanaian women revealed that lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) might lower cortisol levels, particularly in younger women. While the overall study population did not show significant differences, younger women (≤26 years) who consumed LNS had lower salivary cortisol levels at 36 weeks gestation compared to those who received iron and folic acid or multiple micronutrients.
Antidepressants and Cortisol Levels
Mirtazapine vs. Venlafaxine
Antidepressant treatment with mirtazapine has been found to lower afternoon cortisol levels in depressed patients over a four-week period. In contrast, venlafaxine did not show a significant effect on cortisol concentrations. This suggests that mirtazapine may be more effective in dampening the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, which could be beneficial in managing depression-related cortisol elevations.
Psychological and Psychiatric Conditions
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Several studies have indicated that PTSD is associated with lower cortisol levels, particularly in individuals who experienced early life trauma. This reduction is not due to adrenal or pituitary insufficiency but rather increased sensitivity to glucocorticoid action and altered glucocorticoid receptor density. These changes may be a result of developmental programming and epigenetic mechanisms .
Low-Dose Cortisol Treatment
Administering low-dose cortisol has shown promise in reducing symptoms of PTSD. In a pilot study, patients with chronic PTSD experienced significant reductions in traumatic memory symptoms and improvements in reexperiencing and avoidance symptoms after one month of low-dose cortisol treatment.
Acute Cortisol Administration
Reducing Fatigue
Acute administration of cortisol has been found to decrease subjective fatigue and increase feelings of vigor in healthy women. This effect was most pronounced after cognitive tasks, suggesting that cortisol can improve fatigue when individuals are already fatigued. This finding is particularly relevant for addressing hypocortisolemic fatigue syndromes, which are more prevalent in women.
Conclusion
Various interventions, including nutritional supplements, specific antidepressants, and low-dose cortisol treatments, have been shown to effectively lower cortisol levels. These findings highlight the potential for targeted therapies to manage stress and improve health outcomes by modulating cortisol levels. Further research is needed to explore these interventions in different populations and settings to fully understand their benefits and mechanisms.
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