What chronic high stress & low cortisol mean

HPA axis dysfunction, also known as adrenal fatigue, is often caused by long-term low cortisol level. The autoimmune disease Addison’s can be another cause.

HPA axis dysfunction means your body has been under prolonged stress and can no longer handle such demands.

Cortisol is our stress hormone, and part of our fight and flight sympathetic nervous response, so it’s important to our survival.

Too much ongoing stress where this cycle is repeated over again, leads to chronically high cortisol, and eventually chronically low levels.

Cortisol also controls your blood pressure and reduces inflammation.

Symptoms of low cortisol include

• Fatigue and low energy

• Lack of resilience (poor stress response)

• Weight gain

• Hormone imbalances

• Anxiety and depression

• Insomnia

Chronically low cortisol can make it hard to heal from chronic disease.

How do you balance your cortisol?

• Eat a real food, anti-inflammatory diet – lots of colourful veggies and fruit, naturally sourced protein, good fats (no processed seed oils), no added sugar or refined carbs

• Lower stress eg exercise, journal, spend time in nature, and practice mindfulness, yoga, breathwork

• Sleep, but sometimes natural support is needed

• Take adaptogenic herbs to support stress hormone management eg ashwagandha, schisandra, holy basil

• Take magnesium