Cortisol, What Is It And Why Do I Care?

Cortisol is a steroid hormone released by the adrenal glands.  It is a glucocorticoid and is secreted specifically by the adrenal cortex, or the outer portion of the adrenal gland.  It is very important to blood glucose concentration in two ways.

First it increases the liver production of glucose through a process called gluconeogenesis.  This is important in the body during times of stress or between meals for the body to have energy.  The second method is by impairing the utilization of glucose by the peripheral tissues.  In other words cortisol has an anti-insulin effect on tissues and impairs the uptake of glucose for energy.

Cortisol is diabetogenic since it raises blood glucose concentrations.

This is why the stress response and the circadian release of cortisol are so very important to diabetics or borderline diabetics.  This process if left uncontrolled drives the blood glucose problem in the body.  It is one way in which to address diabetes from a functional problem or stand point instead of just addressing the blood sugar.

Dr. Charles Stafford

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Article by Dr. Charles Stafford, Type 2 Diabetes Professional, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX