Effects of stress and cortisol, Part 1
Self-tutoring about stress and health: the tutor explores some effects of cortisol.
Back in my post from March 14 I bring up cortisol, Part 0. I observe therein that cortisol is released in response to stress. Cortisol, in turn, causes a flood of glucose into the bloodstream without a corresponding increase in insulin. The reason: neither brain cells nor exercising skeletal muscle cells need insulin to take up glucose, while fat cells do. Therefore, the cortisol makes a deluge of calories available for the brain and skeletal muscles so the body can solve the stress it faces.
A consequence of cortisol is that it can suppress normal body functions in favour of the stress response. In nature, the threat would soon pass, then the stress would release and the normal body functions would resume. However, the modern, long-term stress people can face may lead to elevated cortisol long-term. Immunity, digestion, reproduction, and growth can be disrupted. Elevated cortisol, combined with adrenaline and other hormones of stress response, can eventually compromise a patient’s physical and mental health.
Exercise can help regulate stress, as well as consume the immediate calorie flood that accompanies elevated cortisol.
Source:
Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.