CORTISOL: THE SILENT KILLER

CORTISOL: THE SILENT KILLER

Cortisol is a steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex. Increasing cortisol levels in the body affects our health in many ways.

High cortisol levels have been associated with increased blood sugar, high systolic and diastolic blood pressure, high triglyceride levels, and insulin resistance. Each is an independent risk factor for heart attack, and together they act to multiply the danger.

Cortisol is associated with stress-related eating. After overeating, cortisol ensures that excess calories are converted into fat, which is deposited in the most dangerous place from a health point of view - the stomach. Excess intra-abdominal fat significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Elevated cortisol levels affect immune function. When you respond to an acute crisis with a surge of cortisol, you get a temporary boost in immune function. But when cortisol levels remain chronically high, it has a negative impact on the body's defenses. Scientists have linked chronic stress to how likely you are to develop a cold if you're exposed to the virus, and how severe the symptoms will be. High levels of stress are known to reactivate herpes infections and reduce the likelihood of the immune system responding to the vaccine.

Cortisol has even been linked to memory loss. One of the reasons that stressful events are so strongly imprinted in the mind is high levels of cortisol. Chronically high levels of cortisol can affect memory and lead to permanent changes in the brain. It accelerates mental decline in those who already have brain disease (such as Alzheimer's disease) and may contribute to the development of other forms of dementia.

Yoga practices such as Kaya Sthiram, Pranayama and repetition of mantras, relax the nervous system, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, digestive system and respiratory system, which helps reduce cortisol and stress levels in the body.