The Circadian Release of Cortisol

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The circadian rhythm of cortisol is linked to patterns associated with sleeping at night and working during the day.  The normal pattern can be observed on a graph with high levels of cortisol in the morning, which gradually taper down until its lowest levels are plotted at midnight.  The reason cortisol levels are highest in the morning is because the body has just engaged in sleeping.  Sleeping is a fasting state on human physiology.  When the body is asleep it does not have available glucose from food intake to help with repairs and to supply cells,  such as the brain and blood cells, with the constant supply of glucose they demand.  Therefore the adrenals will release cortisol during sleep.  As a matter of fact, the body will lose 2/3 of its glycogen (stored glucose) levels after a typical nights sleep.  As the person wakes up there is less demand on glucose and therefore cortisol will taper down if the pattern is normal.  When the circadian release of cortisol is abnormal, many times patients will complain of sleep abnormalities, such as an inability to stay or fall asleep, non-restful sleep, symptoms of fatigue in the morning with difficulty getting out of bed, etc.  Usually patients that have adrenal hyper function will have spikes in the late evening when cortisol should be low and those that have adrenal exhaustion will have depressed cortisol in the morning when it should be high.

The Impact Of Adrenal Stress On Human Physiology & Metabolism

Blood Sugar Imbalances & Adrenal Disorders—Elevated cortisol from adrenal cortical hyper function will cause the pancreas to secrete more insulin in order to transport glucose into the cells.  This will result in hyperinsulinemia and cause all the adverse impacts of elevated insulin associated with it.  Decreased cortisol from adrenal cortical hypo function will induce dramatic impacts on the body’s ability to stabilize glucose levels.  Low glucose levels can cause hypoglycemia.  Hypoglycemia cannot be corrected unless the adrenals are normalized.

Thyroid Defects & Adrenal Disorders—Elevated cortisol will decrease active T3 levels and therefore reduce the potential of optimal gene expression by thyroid hormones.

Intestinal Dysbiosis & Leaky Gut Syndrome with Adrenal Disorders—Elevated cortisol levels have adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract by promoting an inflammatory environment.  Elevated cortisol can contribute to dysbiosis (imbalances between beneficial and adverse bacteria) and leaky gut syndrome (increase permeability due to thinning of the gastrointestinal lining).

Suppressed Immune System & Adrenal Disorders—Elevated cortisol levels have suppressing effects on the immune system and can decrease a person’s ability to fight infections and other immune pathogens.

Gastric & Duodenal Ulcers & Adrenal Disorders—Elevated cortisol can induce gastric and duodenal ulcers. 

Cardiovascular Disease & Adrenal Disorders—Elevated cortisol, at even small quantities, has been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

Depression & Adrenal Disorders—Metabolic shifts that take place in chronic stress have been shown to be related causative factor in the onset of depression.

Bone Density & Adrenal Disorders—Elevated cortisol has negative impacts on bone metabolism.  It leads to calcium malabsorption, lower bone mineral density and an increased risk for fractures.  

 

References: Functional Endocrinology by Datis Kharrzian & Apex Energetics

 

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