10 Symptoms of High Cortisol & The Metabolic Consequences of Living in Constant Fight or Flight

Cortisol, often termed the "stress hormone," is a vital element in our body's symphony. Far from being a villain, we depend on it for daily life readiness. This hormone adheres to a natural curve, peaking in the morning for an energy boost and gradually tapering off as the day winds down, preparing us for restful sleep. Yet, chronic stress can disrupt this delicate balance, triggering a cascade of effects on our metabolism and overall well-being.

Chronic stress is a key player in many chronic health conditions (and we’ll soon see WHY), but let’s start with some of the symptoms you may experience if you’re dealing with chronically high cortisol.

Symptoms of high cortisol include:

🌬️ Constantly racing from one task to the next 

😴 Feeling wired yet tired 

🌙 Difficulty calming down before bedtime 

💤 Disrupted sleep or difficulty falling asleep 

😰 Anxiety & nervousness 

🧠 Feeling distracted or poor memory 

🍬 Sugar cravings 

👙 Increased abdominal fat 

🩹 Skin conditions 

🦴 Bone loss 

🩺 High blood pressure or rapid heartbeat 

🤲 Shakiness between meals 

🔄 Blood sugar instability or insulin resistance 

🤢 Indigestion 

🤰 Unexplained pink to purple stretch marks on the belly or back 

🩸 Irregular menstrual cycles 

🤷‍♀️ Decreased fertility

Does this sound familiar? Because this is DEFINITELY something I was dealing with myself for quite some time before I made the connection between my digestive issues, hormone imbalances and chronic unmanaged stress levels (because GUESS WHAT- it’s all connected).

Amidst the chaos, it's crucial to recognize that cortisol is essential for daily life readiness! ⚖️

6 Metabolic Consequences of Chronically Elevated Cortisol Levels

1️⃣ Weight Gain:

Chronic stress can contribute to abdominal deposition of weight, which is connected to hormone imbalances, blood sugar instability, and inflammation which can result in weight gain.

2️⃣ Cholesterol & Triglycerides:

Persistent stress and elevated cortisol levels over an extended period may contribute to an increase in cholesterol. The body's response to stress includes the release of adrenaline, activating a 'fight or flight' mode to address the stressors. This physiological reaction can, in turn, stimulate the production of triglycerides, potentially elevating levels of 'bad' cholesterol.

3️⃣ Brain Neurochemistry:

Chronic unrelenting stress has downstream negative implications on brain neurochemistry, contributing to symptoms of depression and anxiety.

4️⃣ Insulin Resistance:

Cortisol plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels by raising them and facilitating the conversion of food into energy. However, when cortisol is present in excess, it can interfere with insulin, leading to insulin resistance and disrupting its normal effects.

5️⃣ Suppressed Libido:

Cortisol makes your sex hormones take a backseat which sends your libido into a nosedive. The last thing your body is thinking about during those high stress phases of life is reproduction, so it makes sense that your libido decreases as your stress levels increase.

6️⃣ Frequent Illness:

Intense stress over time can impact your immune system. Interestingly, cortisol is ordinarily anti-inflammatory, but if cortisol levels are too high for too long, your immune system actually can become suppressed.

One actionable step today to support cortisol levels

EAT YOUR BREAKFAST! Ensure your breakfast includes 25-30g of protein with a pinch of fat for energy production, metabolic balance, and blood sugar stability.

Some of my absolute FAV protein-rich breakfasts include:

1. Unflavoured Greek yogurt with berries, hemp hearts, almond butter and a drizzle of raw honey

2. Scrambled eggs with veggies and sourdough toast

3. Overnight oats or chia pudding (made with greek yogurt or protein powder for added protein)

4. Avocado toast with an egg and pinch of sea salt

Does this sound familiar and have you feeling like you could use some one-on-one support on your health and wellness journey? Click the link HERE to book a free discovery call to see which one of my programs would be a good fit for you!