Cortisol: Is the ‘Stress Hormone’ Stressing You Out?

Cortisol has made headlines in the past couple of years. If your feed has you questioning whether cortisol is behind everything from “moon face” to belly fat, this episode is here to help. We break down what cortisol actually does, what a normal daily cortisol curve looks like and why true cortisol disorders are rare. We also dig into what’s more likely behind carrying more weight around the midsection and whether it’s worth measuring cortisol at all. Plus, why the basics (sleep, managing stress and healthy routines) tend to matter more than any alleged cortisol quick-fix — including “cortisol cocktails.” Expert: Dr. Nadir Mulla, primary care physician Notable topics: Why cortisol is the body’s energy mobilization hormone The cortisol curve: how the body naturally controls cortisol levels How rare are cortisol disorders? The simple morning habit that could optimize your cortisol curve Uncovering what's more likely to be behind "cortisol face" and "cortisol belly" What heart rate variability can tell you about your stress levels  Why managing stress, your sleep schedule and diet are more important than any cortisol quick-fix tips  "Cortisol cocktails" may work — just not for the reason you might think Learn when to see your doctor about fatigue and any symptoms If you enjoy these kinds of conversations, be sure to subscribe. And for more topics like this, visit our blog at houstonmethodist.org/blog.