c/stress Post
19

Effects of high cortisol on longevity

c/stress Posted by jaycuba 2 months ago

### Effects of Cortisol on Longevity and Biomarkers

#### Longevity
1. Cortisol and Aging:
- Chronic Stress and Cortisol: Chronic stress leads to prolonged exposure to cortisol, which can accelerate the aging process. Studies show that high cortisol levels are associated with increased risk of mortality and shorter telomere length, a biomarker of cellular aging .
- Allostatic Load: The concept of allostatic load, which includes the cumulative burden of chronic stress and cortisol, is linked to various age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline .

#### Biomarkers
1. Cardiovascular Health:
- Hypertension: Elevated cortisol levels contribute to high blood pressure, a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases .
- Atherosclerosis: Cortisol promotes inflammation and insulin resistance, both of which are pathways that lead to atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular conditions .

2. Immune Function:
- Immunosuppression: Chronic high cortisol levels suppress the immune system, leading to increased susceptibility to infections and slower wound healing .
- Inflammatory Response: While cortisol is anti-inflammatory in acute stress, chronic exposure leads to dysregulation, causing persistent low-grade inflammation associated with various chronic diseases .

3. Metabolic Effects:
- Insulin Resistance and Diabetes: Cortisol increases glucose production in the liver and reduces the sensitivity of tissues to insulin, contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes .
- Obesity: Chronic stress and high cortisol levels are linked to central obesity. Cortisol influences fat distribution, particularly increasing visceral fat which is metabolically active and associated with greater health risks .

4. Cognitive Function:
- Memory and Learning: Elevated cortisol affects the hippocampus, the brain region involved in memory and learning, potentially leading to cognitive decline and increased risk of dementia .
- Neurodegenerative Diseases: High cortisol levels are associated with increased risk and progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's .

### Cortisol and Nutrient Absorption
1. Digestive Health:
- Gastrointestinal Function: Chronic stress and elevated cortisol can impair gastrointestinal function, leading to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which in turn affect nutrient absorption .
- Gut Microbiota: Stress-induced cortisol changes can alter the gut microbiota composition, impacting digestion and nutrient uptake .

2. Bone Health:
- Calcium Metabolism: Cortisol interferes with calcium absorption in the gut and increases calcium excretion in the urine, which can contribute to bone density loss and osteoporosis .
- Vitamin D: Cortisol may reduce the activation of vitamin D, crucial for calcium absorption and bone health .

### Summary of Studies and Findings
1. Stress and Cortisol’s Impact on Longevity:
- High cortisol levels correlate with reduced lifespan due to their association with chronic diseases and systemic inflammation .

2. Cortisol’s Role in Disease:
- Cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, and cognitive decline are all linked to elevated cortisol .

3. Immune and Inflammatory Responses:
- Chronic cortisol exposure leads to immune suppression and dysregulated inflammatory responses, increasing vulnerability to infections and chronic conditions .

4. Nutrient Absorption and Digestive Health:
- Cortisol affects nutrient absorption by altering gut function and microbiota, impacting overall digestive health and nutrient uptake .

### Conclusion
Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, has profound effects on longevity and various biomarkers related to health.
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jaycuba 2 months ago Karma: 29
Chronic exposure to elevated cortisol levels due to prolonged stress can accelerate aging, contribute to the development of chronic diseases, impair cognitive function, and disrupt nutrient absorption and digestive health. Understanding and managing stress levels is crucial for maintaining optimal health and longevity. --- References: 1. Epel, E. S., et al. (2004). "Accelerated telomere shortening in response to life stress." *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*. 2. McEwen, B. S., & Stellar, E. (1993). "Stress and the individual: Mechanisms leading to disease." *Archives of Internal Medicine*. 3. Seeman, T. E., et al. (1997). "Price of adaptation--allostatic load and its health consequences." *Archives of Internal Medicine*. 4. Reynolds, R. M., et al. (2010). "Cortisol and cardiovascular risk factors in relation to immune system activation." *Psychoneuroendocrinology*. 5. Kershaw, K. N., & Ferdinand, K. C. (2017). "The double burden of obesity and stress in cardiovascular disease." *Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports*. 6. Cohen, S., et al. (2012). "Chronic stress, glucocorticoid receptor resistance, inflammation, and disease risk." *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*. 7. Black, P. H., & Garbutt, L. D. (2002). "Stress, inflammation and cardiovascular disease." *Journal of Psychosomatic Research*. 8. Van Cauter, E., et al. (1996). "Glucose and insulin profiles in obese subjects with upper body obesity and metabolic syndrome." *Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism*. 9. Bjorntorp, P. (2001). "Do stress reactions cause abdominal obesity and comorbidities?" *Obesity Reviews*. 10. Lupien, S. J., et al. (1998). "Cortisol levels during human aging predict hippocampal atrophy and memory deficits." *Nature Neuroscience*. 11. Popp, J., et al. (2015). "Cortisol and amyloid-β levels: a multifaceted relationship." *Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience*. 12. Farzi, A.,
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tomaspecinka 2 months ago Karma: 5
Yes, and if the adrenal glands are exhausted due to long-term high cortisol, then the cortisol is permanently critically low, which is also no glory. The adrenal glands can then start pumping adrenaline instead of cortisol, and that's another level.
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jaycuba 2 months ago Karma: 29
interesting. i didnt know this. super interesting. short term cortisol is healthy apparently through say moderate exercise.
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tomaspecinka 2 months ago Karma: 5
100% Humans are built for short-term stress and are good at seducing it. The problem is long-term stress. Cortisol is bad both high and low. One of the consequences of low cortisol is low blood pressure, dizziness, etc. Cortisol is highest in the morning, it makes you wake up. It is inversely related to melatonin. It gradually decreases during the day and should be the lowest in the evening, and on the contrary, melatonin rises.
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jaycuba 2 months ago Karma: 29
super interesting stuff. i find it fascinating that little things like 10 minute smartphone or what you eat effect those cortisol levels. see you know your cortisol :-D
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tomaspecinka 2 months ago Karma: 5
yes, I personally think that the best exercise for cortisol is walking in nature as much as possible and sex. They are also the 2 most natural activities. The chapter itself is the gut microbiome.
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jaycuba 2 months ago Karma: 29
funny. when i was kissing and doing tantra my skin improved tremendously. maybe my main problem is cortisol and histamine.
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tomaspecinka 2 months ago Karma: 5
Also, waking up at night, usually between 1-3 am, usually indicates a problem with cortisol.
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jaycuba 2 months ago Karma: 29
very good info! :-) i will think about that.. its interesting you know so much about it
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tomaspecinka 2 months ago Karma: 5
Yes, there is much more :) for example cortisol vs insulin etc.
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tomaspecinka 2 months ago Karma: 5
I think the problem with smartphones and modern devices is mainly blue light, which you can't find anywhere in nature. they say it eats the adrenals alive :)
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jaycuba 2 months ago Karma: 29
i posted in c/stress here there was research in valencia that smartphone increases cortisol gaming, social etc. not sure if its only the blue light. but i need to be less on the PC :-D i do have blue light filter but not so much. just a bit
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tomaspecinka 2 months ago Karma: 5
blue light will certainly only be one factor :)
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jaycuba 2 months ago Karma: 29
one of the main factors i realized is anything that draws your attention too much draws your energy away from rising through the spine to your crown chakra. its like the energy is being blocked in the solar plexus or mind area. thats why some people get so much headaches or stomach problems. its all connected
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tomaspecinka 2 months ago Karma: 5
Yeah, I love the energy explanations you're an expert at. I know a little about the connection on the body level. It is ideal to combine it together.
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jaycuba 2 months ago Karma: 29
yes! :-)
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