Cortisol is a valuable hormone. We need just the right amount! Too much or too little can make us miserable in many ways. Weight gain, type 2 diabetes, anxiety and depression, memory loss, high blood pressure, and inflammation are just a few of the negative effects of dysregulated levels of cortisol.1 And maybe, worse - ANGRY OUTBURSTS have been found to be problematic with those having both too little and too much cortisol.2
Below you will find some suggestions for products that may help. You can buy these on Amazon, but the New York Times, Wirecutter reported,3 and Amazon has had to admit, repeatedly, that it's a terrible place to buy what you think are quality supplements!4
I now have an online Fullscript storefront and can offer you discounted prices on hundreds of brands - YOUR favorite high quality supplements and products - currently 25% below MSRP. Much to my surprise, because I am a certified Brain Health Professional, I was invited to be a Fullscript Dispensary provider - which basically means with my link you receive discounts! I was invited to apply by my naturopathic doctor's wife and to my delight, I was accepted!
LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO IMPROVE YOUR CORTISOL
If you identify with some of the negative effects of chronically high cortisol, there are changes you can make to help naturally balance your levels. By reducing your stress level and sugar intake you will likely experience dramatic results. Some people may improve their mental health so much with these two changes that they do not need any other interventions or any supplements at all to be balanced. Until then. . .
If you'd like to try supplements here are some ideas. You will need to do your own research to decide what might work best for you and your unique situation because we are all responsible for our own choices!
Supplements that are known to help with cortisol levels that you may wish to try:
- L-theanine - "L-theanine helps to lower levels of the stress hormone corticosterone and avoid interference with memory and learning."5 Psychology Today
- Ashwagandha "Serum cortisol levels reduced with both Ashwagandha 250 mg/day (P < 0.05) and Ashwagandha 600 mg/day (P < 0.0001). Compared to the placebo group..."6 NIH
- Rhodiola - "R. rosea was found to exert a notable anti-fatigue effect that increased mental performance, particularly the ability to concentrate, and decreased cortisol response to awakening stress in burnout patients."7 NIH
- Fish oil "Four months of omega-3 supplementation led to a profile of stress resilience – lower overall levels of cortisol and inflammation during stress, and higher levels of telomerase and anti-inflammatory activity during recovery. This has direct relevance to aging biology and psychiatry. These findings are preliminary, but if replicated, they suggest that omega-3 supplementation may limit the impact of repeated stress on cellular aging and depression risk."8 NIH
As you know, I love Young Living products, and in their amazing line of oil infused supplements, they have a capsule called Cortistop. It is really great for many people!
Why I Usually Prefer Essential Oils
Good, pure supplements are often just what they are called. . . they supplement something your body naturally makes. The problem with this type of supplement is that by giving your body additional, ______________ (cortisol in this case) it sometimes causes the body to become dependent on the supplement. I prefer to know if my body can be stimulated to heal and reactivate itself. Essential oils do just that! They help your body by stimulating it to naturally produce what it needs. That said, supplements are a simple answer for people not ready to make the leap to essential oils.
For Cortisol Levels:
Rosemary and/or Lavender Essential Oils can help according to an article on the (NIH). "These findings clarify that lavender and rosemary enhance FRSA and decrease the stress hormone, cortisol, which protects the body from oxidative stress."9
Both of these oils are on the FDA's GRAS list so they can be ingested, used topically or aromatically. Also, they are both in our Vitality line and labeled with FDA guidelines - meaning they could be found in a grocery aisle. If you're ready to give them a try, you might want these capsules and these dropper tops (from Amazon) to make your life easier. Let me know if you order them and I will help you get started. It's easier than you may think.
TAKING ACTION NOW
What Action Step(s) will you commit to this week? Small consistent steps that you add to slowly will give you a better chance at success than making some drastic declaration. ie. Cutting sugar and stress out of your life is a great idea. But you probably can't do that this week! On the other hand, you likely can cut the syrup in your lattes in 1/2 and add a daily supplement.
I encourage you to commit to one or two small changes this week and add more and more healthy steps, slowly, as time goes on. Your mental health is worth it.
To order Young Living Essential Oils or nontoxic products, please use my link: youngliving.com - thanks!
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