how do I reduce my cortisol levels?

any good tips out there for food, supplements or anything else that helps to reduce cortisol levels?
can one actually measure cortisol without an expensive blood test?
thank you

nmevan

nmevan wrote:any good tips out there for food, supplements or anything else that helps to reduce cortisol levels?
can one actually measure cortisol without an expensive blood test?
thank you

nmevan

You might find this thread helpful:

http://survivingantidepressants.org/ind ... d-natural/

Obviously, with any supplement, start at a low dose and increase it very slowly. And only take one thing at a time so in case you have a reaction, you can pinpoint more easily what the problem is.

49er

Hmmm. I hadn't thought of cortisol levels causing various types of insomnia, not to mention some daytime issues. Too much adrenaline in the blood at night certainly, but not abnormal cortisol levels ... I'll do some research on the suggested supplements. Thanks for the link 49er.

Have you had a blood test that indicated your had elevated cortisol levels? If not, what basis do you have for wanting to lower them?

Some simple things you can do:

1. Take up meditation or some other relaxation process. It doesn't have to be elaborate or take up a lot of your day, just a brief session of relaxation will help.

2. Take a look at things that are causing excessive stress in your life. What can you change? What can't be changed--and if it can't be changed, how can you change how you respond to it?

3. Avoid inflammatory foods like processed Omega 6 oils (canola, soy, vegetable, margarine, most nut and seed oils except for olive oil and coconut oil). Grains and sugar are inflammatory--try to eliminate them from your diet. Soak nuts and beans to reduce the phytates. Supplement Omega 3 by getting at least 1200 mg DHA and EPA combined in a good source of fish oil, daily. Try to get your Vitamin D levels into the upper third of normal range.

4. Use your C-PAP every time you sleep--your body responds to apnea with stress hormones including cortisol.

5. Consider a different exercise routine if you do a lot of "chronic cardio" or too much of any kind of exercise. Make sure to get adequate rest for your muscles to grow and heal between exercise sessions.

reduce stress

Just popped into my head: This may be a dumb question, but can the use of topical anti-itch cortisone creams (1% OTC) elevate one's cortisol levels Cite sources if you have them, however opinions are welcome too.

Sir NoddinOff wrote:Just popped into my head: This may be a dumb question, but can the use of topical anti-itch cortisone creams (1% OTC) elevate one's cortisol levels Cite sources if you have them, however opinions are welcome too.

Hydrocortisone and cortisol are the same molecule, so it's plausible. But I'm not sure how extensively it would be absorbed into the blood stream from a topical cream.

I bet MJ would help.

good question about why I'm wondering if my cortisol levels may be too high.

I am experiencing what I can only describe as a type of brain fog…as if I am high on pot but without the euphoria. The feeling seems to be either accompanied by anxiety, or perhaps even caused by anxiety. I have a stressful life, but I have always handled things well…so it comes as a surprise to me. I understand that sleep apnea causes cortisol levels to rise….and I am wondering if years of uncontrolled cortisol has caused adrenal burnout or some other damage.

Occasionally, I have anxious dreams that cause me to need higher pressure from my bipap. I start off with a medium pressure, but sometimes the pressure increases to such a level that it wakes me up, and it is usually accompanied by an anxiety laden dream that might be something as simple as a dream of surfing a very big wave.

Anyway…I am wondering if the increased cortisol associated with sleep apnea, in conjunction with even more cortisol secreted during an anxious dream has somehow lead me into this brain fog?