What is Cortisol?
From the Cleveland
Clinic
Before we get into the science portion of this teaching, it
is imperative to find the cause of excessive cortisol because of the
destruction it does to our physical health.
I call it cortisol drip (hypercortisolism). Meaning, it is a perpetual drip affecting all
soft tissue. Science and doctors don’t
know the cause of cortisol drip or how to stop cortisol drip. It is amazing how cortisol affects so much of
the body. The Bible gives us scripture to
help explain excessive cortisol drip and how to be healed. That will be
explained at the end of the science part of this teaching. It is mind blowing why excessive cortisol
secretion is not discussed much not only in the science and the medical field,
but especially how it pertains to what the Bible tells us about what causes
cortisol drip. Just what the enemy
wants.
Cortisol
Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone that your adrenal
glands produce and release. Hormones are
chemicals that coordinate different functions in your body by carrying messages
through your blood to your organs, skin, muscles and other tissues. These
signals tell your body what to do and when to do it.
Glucocorticoids are a type of steroid hormone. They suppress
inflammation in all of your bodily tissues and control metabolism in your
muscles, fat, liver and bones. Glucocorticoids also affect sleep-wake cycles.
Your adrenal glands, also known as suprarenal glands, are
small, triangle-shaped glands that are located on top of each of your two
kidneys. They’re a part of your endocrine system.
Cortisol is an essential hormone that affects almost every
organ and tissue in your body. It plays many important roles, including:
- Regulating
your body’s stress response.
- Helps
control your body’s use of fats, proteins and carbohydrates, or your
metabolism.
- Suppressing
inflammation.
- Regulating
blood pressure.
- Regulating
blood sugar.
- Helps
control your sleep-wake cycle.
Your body continuously monitors your cortisol levels to
maintain steady levels (homeostasis). Higher-than-normal or lower-than-normal
cortisol levels can be harmful to your health.
Is cortisol a stress hormone?
Cortisol is widely known as the “stress hormone” or a “fight
or flight hormone” which secrets when confronted with a trauma. However, it has
many important effects and functions throughout your body aside from regulating
your body’s stress response.
It’s also important to remember that, biologically speaking,
there are multiple different kinds of stress, including:
- Acute
stress: Acute stress happens when you’re in sudden danger (fight or
flight) within a short period of time. For example, barely avoiding a car
accident or being chased by an animal are situations that cause acute
stress.
- Chronic
stress: Chronic (long-term) stress happens when you experience ongoing
situations that cause frustration or anxiety. For example, having a
difficult or frustrating job or having a chronic illness can cause chronic
stress.
- Traumatic
stress: Traumatic stress happens when you experience a
life-threatening event that induces fear and a feeling of helplessness.
For example, experiencing an extreme weather event, such as a tornado, or
experiencing war or sexual assault can cause traumatic stress. In some
cases, these events can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Your body releases cortisol when you experience any of these
types of stress.
What does
cortisol do to the body?
Almost all tissues in your body have glucocorticoid
receptors. Because of this, cortisol can affect nearly every organ system in
your body, including:
- Nervous
system.
- Immune
system.
- Cardiovascular
system.
- Respiratory
system.
- Reproductive
systems (female and male).
- Musculoskeletal
system.
- Integumentary
system (skin, hair, nails, glands and nerves).
More specifically, cortisol affects your body in the
following ways:
- Regulating
your body’s stress response: During times of stress, your body
can release cortisol after releasing its “fight or flight” hormones, such
as adrenaline, so you continue to stay on high alert. In addition,
cortisol triggers the release of glucose (sugar) from your liver for fast
energy during times of stress.
- Regulating
metabolism: Cortisol helps control how your body uses fats, proteins
and carbohydrates for energy.
- Suppressing
inflammation: In short spurts, cortisol can boost your immunity by
limiting inflammation. However, if you have consistently high levels of
cortisol, your body can get used to having too much cortisol in your
blood, which can lead to inflammation and a weakened immune system.
- Regulating
blood pressure: The exact way in which cortisol regulates blood
pressure in humans is unclear. However, elevated levels of cortisol can
cause high blood pressure, and lower-than-normal levels of cortisol can
cause low blood pressure.
- Increasing
and regulating blood sugar: Under normal circumstances, cortisol
counterbalances the effect of insulin, a hormone your pancreas makes, to
regulate your blood sugar. Cortisol raises blood sugar by releasing stored
glucose, while insulin lowers blood sugar. Having chronically high cortisol
levels can lead to persistent high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). This can
cause Type 2 diabetes.
- Helping
to control your sleep-wake cycle: Under regular circumstances, you
have lower cortisol levels in the evening when you go to sleep and peak
levels in the morning right before you wake up. This suggests that
cortisol plays a significant role in the initiation of wakefulness and
plays a part in your body’s circadian rhythm.
Optimum cortisol levels are necessary for life and for
maintaining several bodily functions. If you have consistently high or low
cortisol levels, it can have negative impacts on your overall health.
How does
my body control cortisol levels?
Your body has an elaborate system to regulate your cortisol
levels.
Your hypothalamus, a small area of your brain involved in
hormonal regulation, and your pituitary gland, a tiny gland located below your
brain, regulate the production of cortisol in your adrenal glands. When the
levels of cortisol in your blood fall, your hypothalamus releases
corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which directs your pituitary gland to
produce adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH then stimulates your adrenal
glands to produce and release cortisol. In
order to have optimal levels of cortisol in your body, your hypothalamus,
pituitary gland and adrenal glands must all be functioning properly.
What
tests can check cortisol levels?
Healthcare providers can measure your cortisol levels
through blood, urine (pee) or saliva (spit) tests. They will determine which
test is best depending on your symptoms.
What causes high levels of cortisol?
Experiencing abnormally high levels of cortisol (hypercortisolism) for an extended period of time is
usually considered Cushing’s syndrome, which is a rare condition. Causes of
higher-than-normal cortisol levels and Cushing’s syndrome include:
- Taking
large amounts of corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone,
prednisolone or dexamethasone, for treatment of other conditions.
- Tumors
that produce adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). These are usually found
in your pituitary gland. More rarely, neuroendocrine tumors in other parts
of your body such as your lungs can cause high cortisol levels.
- Adrenal
gland tumors or excessive growth of adrenal tissue (hyperplasia), which
cause excess production of cortisol.
What are the symptoms of high cortisol levels?
The symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome depend on how elevated
your cortisol levels are. Common signs and symptoms of higher-than-normal
cortisol levels include:
- Weight
gain, especially in your face and abdomen.
- Fatty
deposits between your shoulder blades.
- Wide,
purple stretch marks on your abdomen (belly).
- Muscle
weakness in your upper arms and thighs.
- High
blood sugar, which often turns into Type 2 diabetes.
- High
blood pressure (hypertension).
- Weak
bones (osteoporosis) and fractures.
- Soft
tissue cell destruction
What causes low levels of cortisol?
Having lower-than-normal cortisol levels (hypocortisolism)
is considered adrenal insufficiency. There are two types of adrenal
insufficiency: primary and secondary. The causes of adrenal insufficiency
include:
- Primary
adrenal insufficiency: Primary adrenal insufficiency is most commonly
caused by an autoimmune reaction in which your immune system attacks
healthy cells in your adrenal glands for no known reason. This is called
Addison’s disease. Your adrenal glands can also become damaged from an
infection or blood loss to the tissues (adrenal hemorrhage). All of these
situations limit cortisol production.
- Secondary
adrenal insufficiency: If you have an underactive pituitary gland
(hypopituitarism) or a pituitary tumor, it can limit ACTH production. ACTH
signals your adrenal glands to make cortisol, so limited ACTH results in
limited cortisol production.
You can also have lower-than-normal cortisol levels after
stopping treatment with corticosteroid medications, especially if you stop
taking them very quickly after a long period of use.
What are the symptoms of low cortisol levels?
Symptoms of lower-than-normal cortisol levels, or adrenal
insufficiency, include:
- Fatigue.
- Unintentional
weight loss.
- Poor
appetite.
- Low
blood pressure (hypotension).
How can I reduce my cortisol levels?
If you have Cushing’s syndrome (very high levels of
cortisol) you’ll need medical treatment to lower your cortisol levels.
Treatment usually involves medication and/or surgery. You’ll also need medical
treatment if you have lower-than-normal cortisol levels.
When should I see my doctor about my cortisol levels?
If you experience symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome or adrenal
insufficiency, contact your healthcare provider.
If you’re concerned about your daily stress levels, talk to
your provider about steps you can take to minimize your stress and stay
healthy.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Cortisol is an essential hormone that impacts several
aspects of your body. While there are several things you can do to try to limit
your stress, and therefore manage your cortisol levels, sometimes having
abnormally high or low levels of cortisol is out of your control.
If you experience symptoms of high or low cortisol levels,
such as weight gain or loss and high or low blood pressure, respectively, it’s
important to contact your healthcare provider. They can run some simple tests
to see if your adrenal glands or pituitary gland are responsible for your
symptoms.
Soft Tissue Damage
High levels of cortisol can damage soft tissue, particularly
by inhibiting the production of collagen, a key protein responsible for tissue
structure and repair, leading to thinner, more fragile skin and potentially
impaired wound healing when cortisol levels are chronically
elevated; essentially, excessive cortisol can weaken connective tissue
throughout the body, making soft tissues more susceptible to damage.
Science - Key points about cortisol and soft tissue
damage:
Cortisol suppresses the activity of fibroblasts, cells
responsible for producing collagen, resulting in reduced collagen synthesis and
weakened connective tissue.
Chronic stress-induced cortisol elevation can lead to a
thinning of the skin, making it more prone to bruising and damage.
High cortisol levels can interfere with the normal
inflammatory response necessary for wound healing, leading to slower recovery
times.
While cortisol helps mobilize energy during stress,
sustained high levels can contribute to muscle wasting.
How
cortisol affects nerves
- Sensitizes
nerves: Cortisol can sensitize peripheral nerves, which can cause
pain even when there's no nerve injury.
- Binds
nerve endings: Cortisol can bind to nerve endings, which can
cause pain.
- Causes
brain cell death: High levels of cortisol can cause brain cells
to die.
How cortisol affects other parts of the body
- Causes
inflammation: Cortisol can cause inflammation, which can lead to
muscle tension and pain.
- Causes
bone loss: Cortisol can cause bone loss by negatively affecting
bone remodeling.
- Causes
metabolic changes: Cortisol can cause metabolic changes like
diabetes and osteoporosis.
- Affects
the immune system: Cortisol can affect the immune system by
inducing apoptosis of proinflammatory T cells.
Can
Excessive Cortisol Affect White T Cells?
Excessive cortisol can significantly impair the function and
reduce the number of white blood cells, including T cells, effectively
"destroying" their ability to fight infection by suppressing the
immune system when levels remain elevated for a prolonged period; this is
why chronic stress, which leads to high cortisol, can make you more susceptible
to illness.
Key points about cortisol and white blood cells:
High cortisol levels can suppress the immune system by
inhibiting the activity and proliferation of T cells, a key type of white blood
cell responsible for adaptive immune responses.
Cortisol interferes with the signaling pathways that
regulate T cell activation and migration, preventing them from effectively
responding to pathogens.
Prolonged stress leading to sustained high cortisol levels
can have the most detrimental effect on immune function, making individuals
more vulnerable to infections
__________________________________________________________________________________________
What Does
the Bible Say About the Cause of Cortisol Drip?
As I said at the begging I will show the root cause of
excessive cortisol drip from a biblical perspective. There is a mind-body correlation involved. Your body is a responder to who you are in
thought. It’s referred to as the
min-body connection. It’s not anything
new to a believer. God already told us,
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” Proverbs 23:7. God knew what He was
talking about. It’s a biological truth that the things we think about and dwell
on actually become part of who we are physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We will never get to the spiritual roots of
disease if we don’t first understand the biology of how our minds affect our
bodies.
Key word is Bitterness.
Every bitterness will have an offense, rejection, self-rejection, self-hatred,
feeling unloved, anger and unforgiveness tied to it. Bitterness can lead to intense antagonism or
hostility toward others. Holding on to angry feelings, being offended, and breaking
out in anger at any moment. Bitterness is
like acid (excessive cortisol drip) that destroys your physical body (soft
tissue) leading to sickness and disease.
Bitterness destroys the immune system.
It causes inflammation and pain.
Note the
four scripture components below – Bitterness, Dry Bones, Envy/Jealousy, and
Forgiveness.
Bitterness
Proverbs 14:10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
and a stranger does not share its joy.
Ezekiel 3:14 So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away,
and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the
Lord was strong upon me.
Ephesians 41:32 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger,
clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to
one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ
forgave you.
Hebrews 12:15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of
the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble
(health issues), and by this many become defiled.
Romans 3:13-14 “Their throat is an open tomb; with their
tongues (slander, gossip), they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of
asps (venomous snakes) is under their lips”; “Whose mouth is full of
cursing (bad mouthing) and bitterness.”
Dry Bones
Psalm 32:3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old through
my groaning (illness) all the day long.
Psalm 38:3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of
Your anger, nor any health in my bones because of my sin (anger/bitterness).
Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, but
a broken spirit dries the bones (bone marrow-white T cells that fight off
immune disease).
Lamentations 3:4 He has aged my flesh and my skin, and
broken my bones.
Envy and
Jealousy
Proverbs 14:30 A sound heart is life to the body, but
envy is rottenness to the bones.
James 3:14-16 But if you have bitter envy and
self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This
wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For
where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
Forgiveness
How do we counter bitterness
Colossians 3:13 bearing with one another, and
forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as
Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
The scripture is key to healing.
