ELEVATE YOUR HEALTH BY DECODING CORTISOL’S IMPACT ON YOUR BODY
Today, we’re fortunate to introduce you to Dr. Jessica, our “go-to” educator and resource in the field of hormone health. Dr. Jessica, a Chiropractor at SuNu Wellness (Minnetonka), brings a wealth of knowledge in hormone health, nutrition, and supplementation. Her expertise extends to lab work interpretation, personalized diet and exercise recommendations, and nutritional consultation appointments.
Dr. Jess contributed the content for this post so that we may better understand the role of cortisol in our bodies, the implications of cortisol spikes, and how to manage them effectively. Let’s start by familiarizing you with Dr. Jess.
MEET DR. JESSICA:
Dr. Jess is one of the newest chiropractors to join the SuNu team. She believes that pain-free movement is the foundation of a healthy and happy life. She honors the concept that all bodies are unique and require different techniques. Dr. Jess sees great benefit to whole-body healing which has inspired her to become professionally versatile in her treatment plans, incorporating nutrition and supplementation to chiropractic care and mobility recommendations. In her own words, she says:
“I HOPE TO INSPIRE PATIENTS TO FEEL CURIOUS ABOUT HEALTH AND WELLNESS – AND LESS CONFUSED OR OVERWHELMED BY IT. I AM EXCITED TO SHOW THE SUNU COMMUNITY THAT HEALTHY LIVING IS ROOTED IN SMALL DAY-TO-DAY CHOICES THAT CAN HAVE A PROFOUND EFFECT ON HOW WE THINK, FEEL AND MOVE.”
As well as chiropractic services, Dr. Jess offers comprehensive hormone health services, including individualized diet and exercise recommendations, nutritional consultations, and lab work interpretation. We are thrilled to announce she is trained to interpret DUTCH test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) results. If you have any interest in understanding your body and hormones, we highly recommend the DUTCH test. It’s a cutting-edge diagnostic tool that provides valuable insights into hormone levels and metabolism.
Additionally, Dr. Jess offers interpretations and support with Balanced Health sensitivity scans. If you’re not sure where to start, we tend to recommend the Balanced Health scan for things more gut related, and DUTCH tests for hormones. A nutritional consult with Dr. Jess is a wonderful way to set the course that’s right for you. If you’re interested in learning more about your hormone health or getting on the waiting list for a DUTCH test, schedule an appointment with Dr. Jessica today.
Please enjoy this brilliant and helpful information offered by Dr. Jess.
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A GUIDE TO HORMONE HEALTH WITH DR. JESSICA:
DECODING CORTISOL – BY DR. JESS:
In the fast-paced world we live in, stress is an inevitable part of our daily lives. One of the key players in the body’s stress response system is cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Considering hormone health and understanding cortisol spikes is important. While cortisol serves important functions in the body, chronic or excessive cortisol spikes can have detrimental effects on both physical and mental health. Let’s discuss the role of cortisol, the triggers for cortisol spikes, and how to manage and mitigate their impact on our well-being.
Let’s back up for a minute. What is a hormone and what does it do? Hormones are chemicals that coordinate different functions in your body by carrying messages through your blood to your organs, skin, muscles and other tissues. These signals tell your body what to do and when to do it! Cortisol is often referred to as the “stress hormone” because it’s released in response to stress and low blood glucose levels. Cortisol plays a vital role in the body’s fight-or-flight response, regulating metabolism, immune response, and aiding in the body’s response to stress. In moderate amounts, cortisol is beneficial, helping us cope with everyday challenges.
WHY HORMONE HEALTH MATTERS:
You might be wondering why hormone health is essential. Well, hormones act as messengers in the body, regulating various physiological processes. When hormones are out of balance, it can lead to a myriad of health issues, impacting everything from energy levels to mood and metabolism. By prioritizing hormone health, you can optimize your overall well-being and quality of life.
IMPLICATIONS OF CORTISOL SPIKES:
As mentioned, cortisol is important and necessary for normal physiological function. Here’s the kicker: long term stress, sleep disturbances, an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise/movement, and excessive caffeine can throw off the body’s natural pattern of cortisol production and utilization. Furthermore, inflammation drives cortisol to have a mind of its own and spike when it’s not “supposed” to. Enter Adrenal Fatigue, or…“I’m always tired no matter how many hours of sleep I get or how many cups of coffee I drink.” Prolonged cortisol spikes can lead to a range of health issues, including:
Weight Gain: Excess cortisol can lead to increased abdominal fat deposition.
Immune Suppression: Chronic elevation of cortisol can weaken the immune system, making us more susceptible to infections.
Insomnia: Elevated cortisol levels can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to insomnia.
Digestive Issues: Cortisol can negatively impact digestion, leading to issues like bloating and discomfort.
Mood Disorders: High cortisol levels are associated with anxiety, depression, and irritability.
UNTAPPED HEALING POTENTIAL AWAITS
Our collective task is to lean into stress management even when it feels like everything is against us. With 10-15 minutes of daily cortisol-reducing self care practices, you’ll notice mental and emotional resilience and stability when chaos inevitably hits. Remember, cortisol spikes are a natural response to stress, but chronic elevation can have negative consequences for our health.
MANAGING CORTISOL LEVELS & REDUCING SPIKES:
So, what can we do to counteract this chronic stress pattern? How do we promote cortisol release when we have to run from a bear… not when we have to answer a work email or solve a relationship conflict? Fortunately, I have several strategies to manage cortisol levels effectively.
1. Breath work: 4 second inhale and 6 second exhale. Our brain has paired the luxury of a long exhale with safety.
2. Eat within an hour of waking: Eat food BEFORE you drink your morning coffee.
3. Movement: Weight-bearing or resistance training is key. Walking daily. Yoga.
4. Herbal stress support: Schedule with me to learn more about trusted brands and dosages. I can help!
5. Epsom salt baths.
6. Weight loss and reducing inflammation: Eat a balanced, low inflammatory diet. We can work this out together.
7. Improve sleep quality: Remove phones from the bedroom, limiting screen time an hour or two before bed, reducing temperature in the room to 67-68, red light therapy before sleep.
8. Limit social media time first thing in the morning: Give yourself 15-20 minutes and think about what you are grateful for today before scrolling.
9. EMF tapping with Brad Yates on Youtube. Click the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6wqlJVhQK4
START YOUR HORMONE HEALING JOURNEY NOW
Thank you, Dr. Jessica, for sharing your wisdom and passion for whole-body health and wellness. We are grateful to have Dr. Jess as a resource for you. Together you can work towards maintaining a balanced cortisol profile and promoting a healthier, more resilient body and mind. Start TODAY! Schedule your appointment for chiropractic care, nutritional consultation, interpreting Balanced Health Scanning or DUTCH Testing with Dr. Jess here.
