Health WellNews

 

Cortisol is a complex hormone responsible for many things. I am providing the article below to give you a brief overview so you have a basic understanding of what it is, how it works and how important it is.

Cortisol is a life sustaining adrenal hormone essential to the maintenance of homeostasis. Called “the stress hormone,” cortisol influences, regulates or modulates many of the changes that occur in the body in response to stress. Cortisol levels normally fluctuate throughout the day and night in a circadian rhythm that peaks at about 8 AM and reaches its lowest around 4 AM. While it is vital to health for the adrenals to secrete more cortisol in response to stress, it is also very important that bodily functions and cortisol levels return to normal following a stressful event. Unfortunately, in our current high-stress culture, the stress response is activated so often that the body does not always have a chance to return to normal.* This can lead to health problems resulting from too much circulating cortisol and/or too little. When the adrenal glands become chronically fatigued, higher and more prolonged levels of circulating cortisol (like those associated with chronic stress) have been shown to have negative effects, such as:

Impaired cognitive performance

Dampened thyroid function

Blood sugar imbalances (hyperglycemia)

Decreased bone density

Sleep disruption

Decreased muscle mass

Elevated blood pressure

Lowered immune function

Slow wound healing

Increased abdominal fat. Fat stored in this area has a stronger correlation to certain health problems than fat deposited in other areas of the body. Some health problems associated with increased stomach fat are heart attacks, strokes, higher levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and lower levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL).

 

Chronically lower levels of circulating cortisol (as in adrenal fatigue) have been associated with negative effects, such as;

Brain fog (cloudy-headedness and mild depression)

Low thyroid function

Blood sugar imbalances, such as hypoglycemia

Fatigue – especially morning and mid-afternoon fatigue

Sleep disruption

Low blood pressure

Lowered immune function

Inflammation

 

Armed with this information, you should have your cortisol levels checked along with your other blood work whenever you have routine health exams. Many doctors do not routinely test cortisol levels so be sure to ask to have it included.

 

I frequently review a patients’ blood panel including cortisol levels to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a person’s overall health.

 

If you would like to discuss your blood work, including your cortisol levels, or are looking to treat any other health issue or injury, you can call my office at (561) 272-7816 for a free consultation.

 

Dr.Edward Scarlett

Cert. Ac  Dipl. Ac

Acupuncture Physician

Cortisol is a life sustaining adrenal hormone essential to the maintenance of homeostasis. Called “the stress hormone,” cortisol influences, regulates or modulates many of the changes that occur in the body in response to stress. Cortisol levels normally fluctuate throughout the day and night in a circadian rhythm that peaks at about 8 AM and reaches its lowest around 4 AM. While it is vital to health for the adrenals to secrete more cortisol in response to stress, it is also very important that bodily functions and cortisol levels return to normal following a stressful event. Unfortunately, in our current high-stress culture, the stress response is activated so often that the body does not always have a chance to return to normal.* This can lead to health problems resulting from too much circulating cortisol and/or too little. When the adrenal glands become chronically fatigued, higher and more prolonged levels of circulating cortisol (like those associated with chronic stress) have been shown to have negative effects, such as:

Impaired cognitive performance

Dampened thyroid function

Blood sugar imbalances (hyperglycemia)

Decreased bone density

Sleep disruption

Decreased muscle mass

Elevated blood pressure

Lowered immune function

Slow wound healing

Increased abdominal fat. Fat stored in this area has a stronger correlation to certain health problems than fat deposited in other areas of the body. Some health problems associated with increased stomach fat are heart attacks, strokes, higher levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and lower levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL).

 

Chronically lower levels of circulating cortisol (as in adrenal fatigue) have been associated with negative effects, such as;

Brain fog (cloudy-headedness and mild depression)

Low thyroid function

Blood sugar imbalances, such as hypoglycemia

Fatigue – especially morning and mid-afternoon fatigue

Sleep disruption

Low blood pressure

Lowered immune function

Inflammation

 

Armed with this information, you should have your cortisol levels checked along with your other blood work whenever you have routine health exams. Many doctors do not routinely test cortisol levels so be sure to ask to have it included.

 

I frequently review a patients’ blood panel including cortisol levels to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a person’s overall health.

 

If you would like to discuss your blood work, including your cortisol levels, or are looking to treat any other health issue or injury, you can call my office at (561) 272-7816 for a free consultation.

 

Dr.Edward Scarlett

Cert. Ac  Dipl. Ac

Acupuncture Physician

If you suffer from headaches, you are not alone. Over 50 million of us experience some form of a severe headache at some point in our lives. Whether you experience minor head pain or severe migraines, headaches can take valuable time out of your day and your life, and leave you searching for relief.

Many seek relief by reaching for drugs and other medications. This may work temporarily and can help you get out of pain fast. Unfortunately, common headache medications do not address the root cause(s), and when used over long periods of time can cause unwanted side effects. continue reading »

What do you think would happen if you kept your car in park and the engine revving at 65 miles per hour?

You guessed it—after a short time your car would break down.  If you were lucky, a simple tune-up would fix the problem. If not, the engine might need to be replaced entirely.

Stress is a revving engine that, if left unchecked, can wear out the body and mind. Stress in our professional, personal, financial and social lives can lead to a variety of symptoms and signs of ill health. continue reading »

Now is the time of year when the sun becomes irresistible.  As tempting as it is to spend as much time as possible in the warmth of the sun, there are a few precautions to take to protect your skin from harmful rays.

Our skin is the largest organ in the body. It reflects our health and age. Today, there’s much concern about sunbathing leading to an increase in skin damage and skin cancer. continue reading »

Spring is not just a time to clean and refresh your home, but also a great opportunity to rejuvenate and cleanse your body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring is associated with the Wood element, which refers to growth and nourishment in the human body.

Spring represents a new beginning and a time to refresh the mind and body.

TCM values the liver as one of the most important organs in the body. The main job of the liver is to spread and regulate QI (energy flow) throughout the rest of the body. This is why the liver is one of the organs emphasized for spring. The liver absorbs everything our body takes in and ingests, being the holder and detoxifier of blood that is circulated throughout the body.

Symptoms of an imbalance in the liver can include anger, depression, irritability, nausea, stiff muscles and bruising. Acupuncture and TCM can aid to restore the liver and body back into balance.

There are 14 acupuncture points for the liver that begin at the edge of the big toenail all the way up to just under the rib cage. When the liver is overloaded, toxins can build up and lead to a blockage in the Qi and blood flow throughout the body. Acupuncture can help to release this blockage and restore our bodies natural flow.

Spring is the perfect time to bring more self-awareness to your body and the toxins that are ingested on a daily basis. Paying closer attention to your diet and getting rid of processed foods and chemicals can help to detox your liver and diminish acute problems that may have formed.

Dietary suggestions for spring include eliminating alcohol, saturated fats, coffee, and chemical additives. On the other hand, natural and whole foods such as spinach, sesame seeds, strawberries and quinoa are encouraged and beneficial for the liver. These unrefined foods can improve the quality of our blood, therefore improving and strengthening the liver.

The liver is believed to be closely connected to the mind. Because of this, when your mind is at peace, your liver is able to function properly. Getting enough sleep on a regular basis and taking time to rest your mind can help your liver function at its best.

With the help of acupuncture, take the spring season to rejuvenate your body and mind.

Sources: “Staying Healthy with The Seasons”, by Elson M. Haas, M.D.,  “Body Wisdom: Chinese and Natural Medicine for Self-Healing”, by Jennifer Harper

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Spring Body Cleaning Tips

1) Seek Acupuncture

We can’t talk about ways to cleanse the body this spring without mentioning acupuncture. From relieving seasonal allergies to reducing pain and inflammation, the benefits of this Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are endless.

2) Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey

You can make a powerful, all-natural detoxifying beverage by mixing together one tablespoon of unfiltered apple cider vinegar (with the ‘Mother’), one tablespoon of honey, and 12 ounces of water. The vinegar works to stabilize your body’s internal pH level, while the honey works to regulate your blood sugar levels. When combined together, it offers a superb cleansing and detoxifying beverage that’s perfect for the spring season. Even the Greek philosopher Socrates prescribed apple cider vinegar to his patients.

3) Take Care of Your Eyes

Did you know that your eyes are connected to every organ in your body in some manner? With that said, the liver has the strongest connection to the eyes. When your eye health begins to decline, so does your liver. Take care of your eyes by limiting your time in front of electronic displays (e.g. computers and television) and have an eye exam performed by a licensed optometrist at least once every two years.

4) Chlorophyll

Consuming chlorophyll – the pigment responsible for giving all green plants their color – will strengthen your liver. Chlorophyll is known to exhibit antioxidant properties, fighting harmful chemicals within the body known as free radicals. Some excellent sources of chlorophyll include spinach, parsley, garden cress, green beans, green peppers, Brussels sprouts, green peas, asparagus, broccoli, zucchini, cucumbers, green apples, melon, honeydew and kiwi.

5) Get Outdoors

The blooming plant life and warming temperatures offers the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and exercise. Exercise and fresh outdoor air stimulate the body’s energy (Qi), keeping it moving and flowing throughout the body. When Qi becomes stagnant, it increases the risk of disease and illness. Something as simple as a 30-minute walk outside can make a world of difference in your health.