[stat1951]

Good segments of article on Cortisol as involved with the disorder CSR (a disease of the eyes from hypercortisolism states). These are segments pulled as related more directly to elevated cortisol (some referencing actual hypercortisolism 0 and others simply the state of having mildly elevated cortisol levels of a temporary nature):

What is Cortisol?

Cortisol is a hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex which assists the body to deal with various stresses. It reduces inflammation and immune system function and triggers the breakdown of protein into sugars.

A certain amount of cortisol is necessary for life. Without cortisol even a small amount of stress will kill you. Addison's disease is a disease which causes low cortisol levels, and which is treated by cortisol replacement therapy...

CSR is associated with high cortisol levels. That is, people with high cortisol levels are more likely to suffer from CSR, and people with CSR generally have high levels of cortisol. CSR sufferers have high levels of cortisol made by their own adrenal gland (50-80% higher than the average, and outside the normal range)...

Adverse Effects of Excess Cortisol

Cortisol is a powerful chemical and has numerous adverse effects in excess. It is therefore recommended in the drug manuals that cortisone medication be taken in as small a dose as possible for as short a time as possible. A partial list of the adverse effects of cortisol follows:

1. Immune system suppression, leading to susceptibility to infection and cancer.
2. Loss of muscle tone.
3. Accumulation of body fat especially around the middle (as Bob Hope said 'middle age is when your age shows around your middle').
4. Depression and anxiety. Initially, however cortisol can produce a short term euphoric effect.
5. Increased permeability and fragility of the linings of blood vessels.
6. Loss of bone mass, leading to osteoporosis.
7. Damage to the hyppocampus, a brain area associated with memory.

It should be noted however that Cortisone mediation can be a life saver, for example with asthma, and in controlling some forms of short term but dangerous inflammation. A judgement needs to be made in each case of the dangers vs the benefits.
Controlling Cortisol Levels
Cortisol Regulation by the body

The body's control of cortisol levels is complex. The PVN area within the hypothalamus secretes a substance called CRF (corticotropin releasing factor). This is picked up by the pituitary gland which then secretes ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). In turn this causes the adrenal cortex to secrete cortisol.

The hypothalamus acts as the body's stress detector and drives cortisol production in this way as a response to stress.

Negative feedback mechanisms exist between the body's cortisol levels and the pituitary and hypothalamus to keep the cortisol levels within reasonable bounds in normal circumstances. The negative feedback is more effective in controlling high cortisol that results from psychological stress than high cortisol that results from physical causes such as blood loss or illness.

One unfortunate fact about the body is its tendency to resist any change. For example if you go in a diet the body increases subjective hunger and decreases metabolic rate, thus 'helping' you not to lose weight. The same thing applies with many of the techniques to reduce cortisol levels. They may work for a while but then the body adapts and levels return towards the original values...

Factors that elevate cortisol

Drugs like caffeine and nicotine tell the hypothalamus that you are under stress, leading to increased cortisol levels, as well as increased adrenaline levels. The increase in cortisol levels from consuming 4-5 cups of coffee per day may be of the order of 50-60% and the increase is highest in people who are already prone to high levels of cortisol. There are anecdotal reports that other stimulants are also associated with CSR attacks eg ephedrine (found in decongestants and herbal weight loss preparations).o

Stress increases cortisol levels. This includes all the forms of stress described above. However the body is better able to control cortisol levels that result from psychological stress than those that result from physical stress.

Cortisone steroid drugs (such as prednisone, hydrocortisone, etc.) mimic the effect of high cortisol levels.

There is a lot of evidence that a stressful childhood leads to a permanently increase susceptibility to stress and increased CRF levels from the hypothalamus leading to higher cortisol levels. The stresses in childhood can range from separation from the mother through to physical and sexual abuse, hunger and disease. This can sensitize the hypothalamus and make it "trigger happy".

Pseudo-Cushings Syndrome

If you have high cortisol levels but do not have the tumour characteristic of Cushing's disease, your condition is likely to be labelled as "pseudo-Cushing's syndrome". The term is unfortunate because the high cortisol and the damage that results is just as real as in the 'real' thing. Most people develop some tolerance to cortisol over time, so the symptoms are not so extreme - difficulty controlling weight around the middle, a tendency to fluctuating blood sugar levels, high cholesterol and blood pressure, lack of energy, etc. Pseudo-Cushing's syndrome is often assumed to be due to excessive alcohol consumption or psychological depression or stress. However a recent study has established that a significant proportion of the population has a genetic predisposition to high cortisol levels, so it may not all be in your mind after all.

Also:

According to http://qualitycounts.com/fptheanine.htm, "Chief among the supplements with documented cortisol-controlling effects are Phosphatidylserine, Beta-sitosterol, Magnolia bark, Theanine, Epimedium, Ashwagandha and Passionflower".

(Note: Again, use of those OTC supplements would be in referencing cases of mold-to-moderate temporary cortisol elevation that were not actual hypercortisolism disorders.

Larry