Increase Cortisol Naturally

How to Balance Cortisol Levels Naturally

Sep 12, 2009 Wendy Kelly

Cortisol levels decline with age. A very low cortisol level is a serious medical condition, but there are some simple steps you can take to raise your cortisol levels.

Cortisol is one of the hormones secreted by the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are the two glands that sit on top of your kidneys. They have two parts. The cortex or outer part is where cortisol is produced. Cortisol is responsible for your body’s stress response. It also controls the inflammatory response along with other hormones. Cortisol levels naturally decline with age. There are natural ways to increase cortisol levels.

Adrenal Fatigue

Low cortisol levels can be a sign of adrenal fatigue, and very low levels can signal adrenal failure. This can be a very serious condition. You may try natural methods to increase cortisol levels, but if they do not work, you must see a doctor and use hydrocortisone. You can use natural hydrocortisone, but do follow the doctor’s advice and remember that this can be a very serious, life threatening condition.

Sleep and Cortisol

One method to increase cortisol levels is through sleep. To help your body produce the correct amount of cortisol, you need to sleep in a totally dark room without an alarm clock, according to Barbara Minton in an article in Natural News. Dr. Pauline Harding, board certified in family practice and a licensed nutritionist, notes that for optimum health, you need to go to sleep before 10:00. Your body needs to recover and heal between 10:00 and 2:00, so it is important to be asleep at this time.

Licorice and Cortisol Levels

Licorice is an herb that may balance cortisol levels. Glycyrrhisic acid, found in licorice, inactivates the enzyme that breaks down cortisol. By taking licorice, you slow the breakdown of cortisol, which keeps cortisol levels at a steady level. Consult a naturopath for more information on dosage and to see if this herb is the correct one for your situation. Licorice in large doses can raise blood pressure and cause water retention. Though it can be an effective solution, using licorice for adrenal issues should be done with a naturopath’s guidance.

Grapefruit and Low Cortisol

Grapefruit also helps to inactivate the enzyme 11-Beta HSD, which breaks down cortisol. One study published in the January 1996 issue of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics showed a decrease in the urinary levels of cortisol/cortisone in men who drank grapefruit juice. You would need to eat about ten to fifteen grapefruits per day to sustain your cortisol levels.

Lifestyle and Cortisol

Exercise moderately and eat sensibly. These two recommendations can also help to increase cortisol levels and bring your hormones back into balance. Not exercising enough or exercising too strenuously can cause your hormone levels to become imbalanced. Eating sensibly and well, with lots of whole foods and pure water is also important to keeping balanced cortisol levels.

Keeping hormones in balance is important in maintaining good health. Although many people suffer from too high levels of cortisol, when levels are too low, the situation needs immediate attention. There are natural methods to increase cortisol, but if they don’t work quickly, you must see a doctor.

The copyright of the article Increase Cortisol Naturally in Natural Medicine is owned by Wendy Kelly. Permission to republish Increase Cortisol Naturally in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Grapefruit can lower cortisol levels

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