How To Improve Cortisol: Techniques & Factors

Known as the stress hormone, cortisol is a steroid hormone, in the glucocorticoid class of hormones. When used as a medication, it is known as hydrocortisone.

It is produced in humans by the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex within the adrenal gland. It is released in response to stress and low blood-glucose concentration. It functions to increase blood sugar through gluconeogenesis, to suppress the immune system, and to aid in the metabolism of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. It also decreases bone formation

Endocrine

6 causes

Protective Factors	Studies
Minor Protective Factor Music Selfcare	1 study Attending a concert reduces glucocorticoids, progesterone and the c... Study in 2016 -50% with Moderate evidence in 24 hours 117 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Singing Selfcare	1 study Choral Singing, Performance Perception, and Immune System Changes i... Study in 2000 -37% with Moderate evidence in 1 hour 97 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Black Tea Beverage	1 study The effects of tea on psychophysiological stress responsivity and p... Study in 2007 -5% with Moderate evidence 75 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Bananas Nutrition	1 study Metabolomics-Based Analysis of Banana and Pear Ingestion on Exercis... Study in 2015 -2% with Moderate evidence in 2 hours 20 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Ashwagandha Herb	1 study A standardized Withania somnifera extract significantly reduces str... Study in 2008 -3% with Low evidence in 2 months 98 subjects

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Risk Factors	Studies
Risk Factor Fatigue Musculoskeletal system	1 study Cortisol awakening response and psychosocial factors: A systematic ... Study in 2009 +30% with High evidence
Minor Protective Factor Coffee (Caffeine) Beverage	1 study Dose effect of caffeine on testosterone and cortisol responses to r... Study in 2008 +52% with Moderate evidence in 2 hours 21 subjects
Minor Risk Factor Stress Brain system	1 study Cortisol awakening response and psychosocial factors: A systematic ... Study in 2009 +50% with Moderate evidence
Minor Risk Factor Post-traumatic stress... Brain system	1 study Cortisol awakening response and psychosocial factors: A systematic ... Study in 2009 +30% with Moderate evidence

Outcomes	References
Risk Factor Cardiovascular Disease Cardiovascular system	1 study Cardiovascular consequences of cortisol excess. Study in 2005 +50% with High evidence in 5 years
Minor Risk Factor Stroke Brain system	1 study Cardiovascular consequences of cortisol excess. Study in 2005 +50% with Moderate evidence in 5 years
Minor Risk Factor Hyperinsulinemia Lymphatic system	1 study Cardiovascular consequences of cortisol excess. Study in 2005 +42% with Moderate evidence in 5 years
Minor Risk Factor Fatigue Musculoskeletal system	1 study Cortisol awakening response and psychosocial factors: A systematic ... Study in 2009 +30% with Moderate evidence
Minor Risk Factor Stress Brain system	1 study Cortisol awakening response and psychosocial factors: A systematic ... Study in 2009 +30% with Moderate evidence
Minor Risk Factor Blood Sugar - Hypergl... Lymphatic system	1 study Cardiovascular consequences of cortisol excess. Study in 2005 +25% with Moderate evidence in 5 days
Minor Risk Factor Blood Pressure - Hype... Cardiovascular system	1 study Cardiovascular consequences of cortisol excess. Study in 2005 +11% with Moderate evidence in 3 days
Minor Risk Factor Insulin Resistance Lymphatic system	1 study Cardiovascular consequences of cortisol excess. Study in 2005 +25% with Low evidence in 5 years
Minor Risk Factor Obesity Musculoskeletal system	1 study Cardiovascular consequences of cortisol excess. Study in 2005 +1% with Moderate evidence in 5 years