The hormone cortisol is often seen in a negative light. It is commonly associated with “stress” and the many harmful effects that it can have on the body. In reality, cortisol is vital for the body − in many ways, our very survival depends on it. Serious issues can arise, however, when high cortisol levels become chronic. Then it can turn into a killer, leading to immune system deficiency and cancer.
What Is Cortisol?
Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is produced by the adrenal gland through signals from the hypothalamus and pituitary. It is produced in high amounts when a person is in “fight or flight” mode and when the body perceives that it is in danger (either physically or psychologically). According to our diurnal rhythm, the levels of cortisol in a healthy person will be highest in the morning (around 7 am) and lowest at night.
Some of the functions that cortisol helps with in the body include:
- Keeping us awake and alert and preventing “brain fog” or physical fatigue
- Keeping blood sugar levels and overall metabolic processes balanced
- Reducing inflammation
- Helping with healing
- Assisting with memory retention and other cognitive processes
- Helping the developing fetus to grow
- Balancing blood pressure
- Allowing us to respond quickly to perceived danger
How Does Cortisol Connect With Breast Cancer?
When it comes to cortisol and breast cancer, it is a two-way street. There are numerous studies that suggest that cortisol levels tend to be higher overall and irregular in their daily patterns in patients with breast cancer. A landmark study conducted in 2000 by Stanford University found that 65% of advanced breast cancer patients had abnormal cortisol levels during the day (either abnormal peak periods or consistently flat). What’s more, mortality rates were significantly higher in these women than in the remaining roughly 35% whose cortisol levels were normal.
The researchers also found that the women with abnormal cortisol levels had fewer Natural Killer Cells, which played a major role in their lack of ability to curtail breast cancer metastasis. Recent studies have found the same correlation in men with prostate cancer. Amongst these is a 2016 study by the University of Buenos Aires that found significantly higher daytime cortisol levels in middle-aged men who had prostate cancer versus those who did not.
The other connection between high cortisol and breast cancer starts not with the cancer, but with the cortisol. Stress, poor lifestyle habits (including eating habits), lack of sleep, and physical illness can create a devastating cascade effect. When stress levels rise, the pituitary releases another hormone called ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), whose job it is to create more cortisol (as well as adrenaline). Over time, the adrenal glands become depleted from overwork.
Cortisol also raises glucose levels within normal cells. Do you recall what cancer cells love to feed on? You guessed it. Sugar!
Rising glucose levels in the body increases the acidity of the internal environment. An acidic internal environment is also an anaerobic one and the perfect environment for pathogens to take hold. Besides cancer, these include opportunistic fungi and bacterium. The waste products from these entities add another level of toxicity to the mix.
Stress, Hormones & Cancer
Especially important for those who are concerned about breast cancer prevention is the way that high cortisol levels caused by stress affects the production of reproductive hormones. When the body produces high amounts of cortisol, it has to get the “raw material” from somewhere. This is where the substance pregnenolone comes in.
Pregnenolone is the precursor for many hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA. In very basic terms, when someone is in chronic stress, pregnenolone will consistently be used for the production of cortisol above all other hormones. The result will be the depletion of other substances essential for reproductive health. Irregular periods, extreme PMS, fibroid tumors, endometriosis, and cancers of the reproductive system (including breast cancer), eventually ensue.
Interestingly, when cortisol is allowed to do its job in short bursts like it was meant to do, it is responsible for a “ramping up” of immune system responses. When high cortisol levels are left for too long, however, the reverse begins to happen. Cortisol begins to deteriorate the functions of the immune system (some researchers think the hormone does this to prevent an autoimmune response).
Research has also connected chronic stress (and thus chronically high cortisol levels) with thymus gland shrinkage. High amounts of cortisol can inhibit white blood cell production. It can also suppress the ability of immune cells to secrete chemical messengers such as interleukins and interferons, who have an important job to play in keeping cancer cells at bay.
What Can You Do About High Cortisol Levels?
Signs that you may be suffering from high cortisol levels include:
- Weight gain (especially around the midsection)
- Mood swings and anxiety
- Fatigue and muscle pain
- Trouble falling and staying asleep
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- High blood pressure
- A decrease in libido
- Increased urination
- Brittle bones
- Excessive thirst
Tests for Checking Cortisol Levels
If you feel that chronically high cortisol levels may be affecting you, there is a fairly simple blood test you can take. However, saliva testing may give you a more accurate picture. This is because the saliva samples are taken throughout the day, indicating where and when any cortisol bursts or depletions may be occurring.
The good news in all this is that there are several things you can do NOW to lower your cortisol levels for overall health. Probably the most important thing you can do is practice doing nothing! The main premise here is to REDUCE STRESS (and thus lower your cortisol levels) BY SLOWING DOWN on all levels.
Ways to Slow Down and De-Stress
Meditation is a proven way to go about doing this. A 2004 report published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology studied cortisol levels (among other things) of breast and prostate cancer patients who participated in a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program (MBSR).
The study found that decreased afternoon cortisol levels occurred overall for those who went through the training. It found that the MBSR program enrollment was “associated with enhanced quality of life and decreased stress symptoms in breast and prostate cancer patients, and resulted in possibly beneficial changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning.”
Meditation isn’t the only way you can de-stress your life, however. Here are some other stress-reducing and cortisol-lowering activities:
- Consider journal writing, walking, being in nature, practicing EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique or Tapping), or doing yoga or tai chi
- Moderate exercise, getting a good night’s sleep, and reducing EMF exposure from cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, and other electronics are all ways to make sure that cortisol and other stress hormones stay in balance
- Consider herbal supplements such as ashwagandha, licorice, holy basil, and ginseng
- And according to Dr. Josh Axe, the anti-inflammatory essential oils lavender, myrrh, frankincense, and bergamot have all shown to lower cortisol levels directly
Finally, if high cortisol continues despite all your efforts, consider seeking professional help. This is especially important if you have suffered a trauma or have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD). Remember that each day that an abnormal hormonal stress response continues is another step further away from health… and closer to dis-ease.
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Article Summary
Cortisol is commonly associated with “stress” and the many harmful effects that it can have on the body. Cortisol isn’t all bad and does serve an important purpose in the body. But chronic high cortisol levels can lead to immune system deficiency and even cancer.
Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is produced by the adrenal gland. It is produced in high amounts when a person is in “fight or flight” mode.
There are numerous studies that suggest that cortisol levels tend to be higher overall and irregular in their daily patterns in patients with breast cancer.
Stress, poor lifestyle habits (including eating habits), lack of sleep, and physical illness can create a devastating cascade effect.
Signs that you may be suffering from high cortisol levels include:
- Weight gain (especially around the midsection)
- Mood swings and anxiety
- Fatigue and muscle pain
- Trouble falling and staying asleep
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- High blood pressure
- A decrease in libido
- Increased urination
- Brittle bones
- Excessive thirst
There are several things you can do now to lower your cortisol levels for overall health. The main premise here is to REDUCE STRESS (and thus lower your cortisol levels) BY SLOWING DOWN on all levels.
Meditation is one proven way to lower stress levels. Here are some other stress-reducing and cortisol-lowering activities:
- Journal writing, walking, being in nature, practicing EFT, or doing yoga or tai chi
- Moderate exercise, getting a good night’s sleep, and reducing EMF exposure from cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, and other electronics
- Consider herbal supplements such as ashwagandha, licorice, holy basil, and ginseng
- Anti-inflammatory essential oils lavender, myrrh, frankincense, and bergamot have all shown to lower cortisol levels directly
Yes…stress can hurt…steal progesterone that helps the immune system/bones/myelin and lower B vitamins and zinc. Gluten may cause stress and also hurt the gut lining so less nutrients absorb. Daily stress from life may destroy health if it is constant or extremely high. Vit B12 methylcobalamin with intrinsic factor/MTHF folate or shot may help stress greatly. At menopause progesterone is lower. Just before menopause people may get cancer. Guys may be low in progesterone and people maybe estrogen dominant from meat/dairy/soy/BPA etc. The birth control pill has progestin that is not progesterone so may let a woman be estrogen dominant.
No gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/GMO….taking vitamins/good oils/minerals…probiotic…LDN..detoxing may help cancer and help stress/immune system/oxygen/nutrients absorbed in the intestines so cells are made right to work right/help pH.
Herbs may help adrenals, but eventually instead of cortisol being high and person maybe low in cortisol and feel like they are dying. Licorice may help cortisol. last long. Adren- all by Orthomolecular may help. Progesterone can turn into cortisol instead of taking cortisol that may hurt after 3 days. Lyme/very sick people/tired/too much exercise or stress or not eating etc may burn out adrenals in addition to gluten hurting thyroid and all glands (liver/adrenals etc). Mg/Cr/oregon grape root/alpha lipoic acid/Ceylon cinnamon may help blood sugar. Progesterone may help the immune system/blood sugar and much more. Sugar may feel cancer and stress out adrenals as blood sugar goes up and down fast.
Ashwagandha lowers cortisol…is good for stage 1 of Adrenal fatigue, but may hurt stage 3-4 when cortisol is already too low. Herbal supplements are often for stage one more than later stages of Adrenal fatigue.
Hello Family; Yes this is wonderful information and of great assistance, meditation is great too and while in meditation it is a great time to heal issues of trauma of our mental and emotional issues through Forgiveness, maybe this could be the first too we could use, it is the active-inaction. I talked to a friend last night and they said that they had trouble with arthritis and that mads were bringing it under control. i said to him after hearing the #3 in my mind that a trauma happened at age 3 and they said that it was a time of his parents break up and I spoke to him about Forgiveness and how it might also help his health. Use all the tools. Love, Honour and respect. Alan.
Yes…forgiveness helps greatly. Arthritis maybe due to Celiac/gluten. Tests may not work to diagnose it. No gluten (wheat/barley/rye..oats/corn/rice) and taking vitamins/good oils/minerals..probiotic…LDN..detoxing may heal intestines so more nutrients absorb and swelling/inflammation may go. Night Shade family may also affect swelling. A food journal may help with date/time/symptoms/supplements etc. Zinc/fish oil/Vit C/probiotic/Mg/HCl and enzymes with meals/Vit B12 methylcobalamin with intrinsic factor/MTHF/ginkgo/biotin 5000IU/Vit E//Vit A/ Nature’s plus- Source of life multiple and Vit D3 5000IU/sunlight may help.
When I suffered severe stress over my mother’s terminal cancer, my periods came a bit earlier than usual and I developed pimples in my face. I noticed, when I get stressed, my immune system goes down. How does one meditate?
Hello Family; How does one meditate? There is a number of ways, one is traditional, while others are not. There is walking meditation, another is drinking coffee or tea another is eating, another is just breathing. It all may require a focus, maybe in a body part or a object. It seems to do with a focus and mind fullness and consciousness of being silent, as it says ” Be silent and Know that I am God ” Or it could be just sitting watching a child play and only be. Nothing to think about, no right or wrong just breathing and being in the moment. I have my ways and others have theirs. Loving Blessings. Yourself called Alan. Love All, with your eyes, with your ears, with all your senses. ( Love the cancer, fear does not help )
I have had the most stressful job over the last 12 months and was diagnosed with stress and anxiety in August then breast cancer on 04/01/2017 which I believe could be linked to this.
Stress/anxiety can be due to gluten also which may make the job harder. Low oxygen in the brain may cause depression/anxiety/no sleep/obsessing/panic/suicidal thoughts. Gluten may hurting intestines so less nutrients absorb…then cells are not made right to work right to burn oxygen. A person may also be estrogen dominant from eating meat/dairy/soy/BPA/fat/chemicals. At premenopause progesterone is going down that helps the immune system. Stress uses up Zn/B vitamins/progesterone so cancer may start and a person is already low in these if they are Celiac. No gluten may prevent cancer from coming back. Sugar may feed cancer. No gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/GMO…taking vitamins/good oils/minerals/probiotic…LDN….detoxing may help.
Hello Sasha, Hello All; Yes, everything is connected, everything responds to all of it, nothing is separate.Another cause may be happening too, please check for candida in the system it is a imbalance, just like life can be imbalanced, one is a reflection of the other. Take time for yourself, try yoga-meditation, breathe consciously. The Hanna Kroeger pressure points can balance hormones.The Universe like us requires balance. Just sharing and Loving. Yourself called alan.
Yes….Hanna Kroeger is good and yes burdens the immune system…is eating up the body like before a person dies. God can get the brain/body to work orderly/correctly. It is hard to use supplements in the same way as God would help. God can guide/help/bless/help people learn how to take care of their brain/body and emotions etc. Yes…balance is needed. Emotions may push a person into a health crisis after a break up or death of a loved one…person or pet etc.I find that when I get a walk in the sunlight the Vit D helps me laugh and exercise helps get oxygen in my brain/body. Being in nature is very healing. Grounding may also help. Celiac people may have a life that is abuse/trauma/sickness/addictions/suffering until they can learn how to deal with issues. Celiac to me is the number one reason for cancer. Fix the Celiac and emotions/stress/cells are rebuilt to burn oxygen/food and make ATP and then detoxing may help. Fix meat/dairy/soy/BPA/chemicals/The pill which can affect hormones…detox heavy metals…restore the intestines working so nutrients can absorb by 100% no gluten/GMO. Tests ,may not work to diagnose Celiac. People have died after strong anger/sadness. Cortisol steals progesterone/Zn/B vitamins that help the immune system. Prayer helps, but also a person needs to change/fix the problem. Upper ear has a point the acupuncturist can put in a tapped pin that can calm when pushed. People need 4 hugs a day minimum……need touch when a baby/child/adult/elderly person. Pets need touch. People need people…can’t live isolated/alone and expect to be ok. God can help, but people were not meant to be isolated. I see young adults working hard….which burns them out. No one takes time to help their health and schools took the human body out of classes since it was not on the state test. People may eat too many treats at holidays and socialize with food/drink that may hurt. Which is better…eating bad and being happy or eating well and being alone?
Help me. I have stage 4 cancer. PTSD from a hospital experience. 2 young children. Don’t know what to do. I’m sick with the medication. Help please.
Hi Ellie –
We appreciate you reaching out to us about this.
I’m so sorry to hear about your diagnosis – I’ll be sure to pray for you.
Unfortunately, we are unable to give any kind of medical advice. The best advice we can give you is to consult with one of the doctors we interviewed in the Global series.
Please note that we are not able to select an expert for you.
We’ve created a page with the experts’ contact info as it was available to us.
Here’s the link to the actual webpage:
http://thetruthaboutcancer.com/experts-info-sheet/
We do have one more resource you may be interested in. During our Live Event 2017 series, Dr. Patrick Quillin suggested contacting The Institute of Functional Medicine to locate a practitioner in your area.
If you are interested, here is the link to search for a Functional Medicine Practitioner in your area: https://www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/
I’m also attaching the info about the Hope4Cancer clinic in Tijuana, MX if you’d like to reach out to them.
http://www.hope4cancer.com/
https://hope4cancer.com/schedule-a-call/
Please also see the resources below in case they will be helpful to you.
From our beginning, we have supported charities that really help these cancer patients.
HealingStrong:
http://healingstrong.com/
https://www.facebook.com/healingstrong
HealingStrong supports MANY cancer patients and are amazing. HealingStrong, a nonprofit organization, is supported 100% by volunteers, who are experienced in using natural strategies. The organization’s mission is to educate, encourage, equip, and empower those seeking comprehensive natural strategies to heal strong and stay strong.
HealingStrong Connect Groups meet monthly in various areas of the U.S. and South Australia to link others interested in natural strategies, holistic protocols, and local resources. Their groups focus on mind, body and emotional healing based on Biblical promises, as they believe the God of the Bible is our healer. For more information on how to start a group, or become involved in one, please go to: http://www.healingstrong.org/groups, and like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/healingstrong.
Cancer Crackdown is so awesome and helps patients without a lot of money get supplements and treatments and even helps them raise money:
http://cancercrackdown.org/
https://www.facebook.com/CancerCrackdown
Also, the Independent Cancer Research Foundation is another charity that we support, also known as Cancer Tutor. They have been a TREMENDOUS help for cancer patients and have a TON of life saving information they give out freely and they do real research into treatments for cancer that are outside of the toxic Big Pharma Big 3:
http://www.theicrf.com/
The best that we can suggest is to contact Healing Strong and Cancer Crackdown for any need in financial resources.
We also support Mary Beth’s “Nick Gonzalez Foundation” which is bringing Nick’s protocol to the people…which is one of the most powerful cancer killing protocols out there.
I hope this is helpful! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us again if there’s anything else we can help with.
Wishing you endless blessings and love!