CSNN Class 3 Cortisol

What are the 3 main issues that contribute to the development of many diseases?

# Issues that contribute to the development o f diseases are: Stress, lack of exercise & poor diet

What is the General Adaptation System?

The General Adaptatiion System is the body's way of reacting to a stressor so the body will be brought back into balance.

What is a type C personality?

Type C personality: Chronically stress therefore chronically exposed to high levels of cortisol.

How can we address stress management without stressing out stressing out a client even more?

We can help a client address stress management without stressing them out more by helping them to: 1. Evaluate priorities, 2. Acknowledge the wins, 3. Ask them what kind of support they have &/or where they can find it.

What happens when cortisol stops fluctuating and simply flatlines?

When Cortisol flatlines and stops fluctuating HSD (fat storing) systems kick in. When this happens abdominal fat "sees" high cortisol levels and stores fat at a faster rate, while rest of the body 'sees' normal ranges.

**What is the difference in the stress animals face and the stress we (modern humans) face?

**Stress in the animal kingdom is short term/acute. Running from a predator and then its over. Humans have longer term & chronic repeated stress such as driving daily in heavy traffic, daily work with difficult co-worker. Have added psychological & social stressors not just physical stressors. This puts us in a chronic elevated stress hormone state

What is a glucocorticoid?

A glucocorticoid is any of a group of corticosteroids (e.g., hydrocortisone) that are involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats and have anti-inflammatory activity.

What should a good program to deal with health issues related to stress include?

A good program which would help a client deal with health issues related to stress would include: 1. Good nutrition, 2. Supplementation, 3. Stress Mgmt 4. Exercise

According to circadian rhythm, when do cortisol levels usually drop?

According to circadian rhythm cortisol levels usually drop rapidly between 8am - 11am.

How is the Central Nervous System linked to the endocrine system when it comes to stress?

AS the brain collects info through our senses (sight, sound, smell, thoughts) it uses the central nervous system and endocrine system to respond to what it observes. A physiological and/or psychological stress results in an endocrine system activation. The co-ordination of the hyohtalamus & pituitary in the brain and the adrenal glands above the kidneys cause a hormonal cascade. Hormones such as cortisol, epinephrine & norepinephrine plus others are sent out to help regulate physiology like cardio vascular function, energy metabolism, immune-system activity and brain chemistry. CNS system activates endocrine system in times of stress.

According to circadian rhythm when are cortisol levels at their lowest?

According to circadian rhythm cortisol levels are their lowest between midnight & 2am. 2am being the lowest

What is the impact of acute or chronic psychological stress?

Acute or chronic psychological stress causes an increase of cortisol but also causes inflammatory diseases.

What does adrenaline do?

Adrenaline functions to accelerate the heart, inhibits the digestive system, sexual response, tear and saliva production & pupil dilation.

Where is adrenaline produced?

Adrenaline is produced by the adrenal medulla.

What its the purpose of aldosterone?

Aldosterone is a steroid hormone important in salt/water balance and blood pressure

What is the purpose of cortisol?

Almost every cell contains receptors for cortisol and so cortisol has a lot of different actions depending on which sort of cells it is acting upon. These effects include controlling the body's blood sugar levels and thus regulating metabolism, acting as an anti-inflammatory, influencing memory formation, controlling salt and water balance, influencing blood pressure and helping development of the foetus.

What does catabolism of tissue lead to?

Catabolism of tissue leads to muscle loss, bone loss, causing immune cells to die and inactivates the protective measures of our immune system.

List causes of stress.

Causes of stress are: Money concerns, meeting deadlines, traffic, family conflicts, financial concerns, marriage, aging parents, children.

What are the characteristics of a long term Type C personality?

Characteristics of a long term Type C personality are: hurry, hurry state, depression, fatigue, low sex drive, trouble concentrating, abdominal weight gain, low grade cortisol over exposure, trying to fit 25 hrs into 24.

What are the symptoms of chronic stress?

Chronic stress symptoms may include: weight gain, fatigue,fluctuations in blood sugar, increased appetite, carb cravings, muscle weakness, lowered immunity, decreased muscle tissue and lower basal temperature.

What illnesses are connected to chronically elevated cortisol levels

Chronically elevated cortisol levels lead to illnesses such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, depression and alzheimers.

What conditions have chronic high cortisol levels been linked to?

Conditions linked to high cortisol are: increased : appetite & cravings, body fat, anxiety, depression, PMS, menopausal side effects ( hot flashes, night sweats). Decreased: muscle mass, bone density, immune response, libido. Also, memory impairment & mood swings.

Where is cortisol (corticosteroid/glucocorticoid hormone) produced?

Cortisol (corticosteroid hormone/glucocorticoid) is produced by the adrenal cortex.

In what process is cortisol a positive thing?

Cortisol (the good) 1. is a potent anti-inflammatory in short & specific situations, 2. it also has immunosuppressive properties. Both are important in regulating normal responses of the immune system. 3. gives us fight/flight ability.

What is Cortisol (the ugly) associated with?

Cortisol (the ugly) is associated with widespread tissue destruction & system breakdown referred to as catabolism.

What effect does cortisol have in stimulating several of the body's metabolism of glucose, protein & fatty acids?

Cortisol in metabolic processes stimulates gluconeogenesis, mobilizes amino acids from muscle tissues to serve as raw material in gluconeogenesis, inhibits glucose uptake in muscle & adipose tissue (this increases blood sugar levels), and stimulation of fat break down in adipose tissue.

What is cortisol?

Cortisol is a steroid hormone, known as a glucocorticoid, made in the cortex of the adrenal glands. Released in the system when the body starts experiencing stress

What hormone is known as the primary stress hormone?

Cortisol is known as the primary stress hormone.

How is cortisol released into the body?

Cortisol is secreted when the adrenals are stimulated by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary gland. ACTH itself is secreted by the cortiotopin-releasing hormone (CRH) from the hypothalamus. Brain perceives stress--secretes CRH (hypothalmus)---CRH stimulates pituitary to secrete ACTH---ACTH goes to adrenals which stimulates release of cortisol.

What kind of pattern does normal cortisol metabolism follow?

Cortisol metabolism follows a circadian rhythm a 24 hour cycle.

How does cortisol cause mass muscle loss under periods of prolonged stress?

Cortisol secretion releases amino acids from muscles. Over time prolonged results in a catabolic impact on the muscle. This 'wasting away' decreases muscle which decreases basal metabolic rate leading to weight gain.

What is the function of cortisol?

Cortisol's one of many functions is to stimulate release of glucose, fatty acids, & amino acids for energy production

When is the release of fatty acids detrimental on health?

Fatty acids released during fat breakdown (lipolysis) are detrimental to health as they reduce cellular sensitivity to insulin. (precursor to diabetes)

What is gluconeogenesis?

Gluconeogenesis is the process where amino acids are converted into glucose for energy.

What is an HPA Axis?

HPA Axis is a co-ordinated system of 3 endocrine glands that mediate response to stress

What is HSD?

HSD is a fat storing enzyme locked deep within fat cells. (11-beta-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase).It causes inactive cortisol to become 'reactivated' into active cortisol with individual fat cells. Particularly a concern for visceral fat as visceral fat cells respond strongly to the fat-storage signal of cortisol

What impact do high cortisol levels have on our body.

High cortisol levels increase our appetite & cravings. Especially for sweet, salty or fatty foods. These types of foods increase our fat cells leading to insulin resistance, heart disease & cancer.

What happens if we are too often in the 1st Phase (Alarm Phase)

If we are too often in the 1st Phase (Alarm Phase) it leads to constant elevated cortisol levels. Leading to 3rd Phase called Overload

What is a normal stress response?

In a normal stress response body goes through a series of neurological, biochemical, hormonal & physiological actions that are designed to help you either run or deal with the situation. (Flight/fight response) & should be short-lived

What role does cortisol play in adipose tissue?

In adipose tissue, cortisol releases fatty acids.

What role does cortisol play in the skeletal muscles?

In skeletal muscles cortisol promotes the release of amino acids for use by the muscles or to go to the liver for conversion to glucose.

What role does cortisol play in the liver?

In the liver cortisol stimulates the breakdown of glycogen into glucose (glucose metabolism)

Why is cortisol important in times of stress?

In times of stress cortisol is needed to maintain normal physiological processes. Without cortisol the body would be unable to respond to stress effectively. For example, cortisol releases amino acids from muscles glucose from he liver and fatty acids from adipose tissue into the bloodstream for energy to run away.

Cortisol (the bad) under longer term exposure leads to what conditions?

Long term exposure to cortisol (the bad) leads to breakdown of metabolic processes bringing on symptoms such as: elevated blood sugar, increased appetite, accelerated weight gain, reduced sex drive, severe fatigue

Explain psychoneuroendocrinology?

Psychoneuroendocrinology looks at our mind (how we think), plus our nervous system (how thoughts are transmitted) and hormones (how they control functions & behaviours in all areas of the body)

Why does science now measure if cortisol is in a fluctuating over time instead of just doing a high/lo measure?

Science measures cortisol fluctuations over time because cortisol's normal pattern should be in a state of flux.

What is the result of socioeconomic stress (SES)?

Socioeconomic stress (SES) is linked to heart disease, weight gain, diabetes

What is socioeconomic stress?

Socioeconomic stress is worry about money.

Whats the difference between men & women when it comes to stress?

Some of the differences between men & women when it comes to chronic stress are: 1. Men tend to leave their work problems at work, women tend to bring work problems home. 2. Men respond to stress with more HPA Axis & women tend to have greater hormonal reactions to stress. 3. Men are more like to experience cardiovascular side effects like High BP & heart attacks, women depression & anxiety.

Why is stress different for each individual?

Stress is different for each individual because:1. one person can see the same situation differently. 2. some people can carry a greater stress load. 3. people may have different nutritional deficiencies.

What is stress?

Stress is what you feel when life's demands exceed your ability to meet those demands.

What are some stress-related illnesses?

Stress related illnesses are: Depression, poor digestion, heartburn, high blood pressure, insomnia

What are the two parts that make up the adrenal glands?

The adrenal glands are made up of the inner medulla and the outer cortex

What is the body's response to dealing with acute stress?

The body responds to acute stress with: Increased - heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature. Feelings of anxiety, headaches, heartburn, irritability.

How does the body try to counteract the catabolic effects of elevated cortisol?

The body tries to counteract the catabolic effects of elevated cortisol by raising testosterone levels. However chronic cortisol exposure lowers testosterone.

What does cortisol (corticosteroid hormone/glucocorticoid) do?

The cortisol (corticosteroid hormone/glucocorticoid) modulates the way the body uses various fuel sources.

What does the inner medulla of the adrenal gland produce?

The inner medulla of the adrenal gland produces adrenaline (epinephrine)

What is the new science called which links, mind, neurosystems and hormones?

The new science which links mind, neurosystems & hormones is called psychoneuroendocrinology.

What does the outer cortex of the adrenal gland produce?

The outer cortex of the adrenal gland produces cortisol and aldosterone

What are the two phases of the General Adaptation System?

The two phases of the General Adaptation System are: 1st Phase: Alarm Phase - immediate activation of nervous system & adrenal glands to get things moving 2nd Phase: Resistance Phase - activates Hypothalmic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA Axis) which mediates our response to stress.

What happens when chronic cortisol lowers the body's testosterone levels?

When chronic cortisol exposure lowers the body's testosterone; mood, muscle mass and metabolic rate can not be maintained so weight gain starts

What happens to the body when acute stressors become chronic stressors

When the acute stressors become chronic stressors for the body, cortisol levels continue to increase and DHEA/testosterone levels decrease. The body then begins to lose muscle and gain fat.