Diet for High Cortisol Levels
Cortisol is a stress hormone released by the adrenal glands during a fight-or-flight emergency situation. It is responsible for several functions in the body including blood pressure regulation, glucose utilization and anti-inflammatory properties. Excess cortisol levels can cause fat accumulation in the stomach region, fatigue and a decrease in immunity, however. Research indicates that dietary changes may help lower high cortisol levels.
Black Tea
Researchers from the University College of London in the U.K. investigated the impact of tea consumption on stress relief. Healthy nonsmoking men consumed 4 cups of black tea or a placebo for six weeks. Participants underwent a stress test in which they performed stressful tasks before and after treatment. Scientists reported in the September 2006 issue of the journal "Psychopharmacology” that subjects consuming black tea had lower cortisol levels after performing stressful tasks compared to those with a placebo.
- Researchers from the University College of London in the U.K. investigated the impact of tea consumption on stress relief.
- Scientists reported in the September 2006 issue of the journal "Psychopharmacology” that subjects consuming black tea had lower cortisol levels after performing stressful tasks compared to those with a placebo.
Omega-3-rich Foods
Vitamin C Dosage to Help Lower Cortisol
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**In research reported in the June 2003 issue of the journal “Diabetes Metabolism,” scientists from the Hopital de la Cavale Blanche in France explored the effects of fish oil, which contains omega-3 fatty acids, on stress hormones elicited by mental stress 1. They observed that participants consuming 7.2 g of fish oil per day for three weeks had lower cortisol levels after a stress test compared to those consuming a placebo. Omega-3 fatty acid foods include salmon, halibut, tuna, walnuts and soybeans.
Dark Chocolate
Consuming dark chocolate in moderation might reduce cortisol levels, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Nestle Research Center in Germany. They reported in the October 2009 issue of the "Journal of Proteome Research” that human subjects ingesting 40 g of dark chocolate per day for two weeks experienced decreases in cortisol levels 2.
Yogurt and Ricotta Cheese
Supplements that Suppress the Appetite
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In findings reported in the June 2000 issue of the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,” researchers from the TNO Nutrition and Food Research Institute in the Netherlands examined the impact of alpha-lactalbumin on cortisol levels in stress vulnerable subjects 3. They discovered that subjects following a alpha-lactalbumin-rich diet experienced reductions in cortisol levels after undergoing acute stress compared to those adhering to a casein protein-rich diet. Whey protein, which is found in foods such as yogurt and ricotta cheese, is a rich source of alpha-lactalbumin.
Related Articles
References
- "Diabetes Metabolism"; Fish Oil Prevents the Adrenal Activation Elicited By Mental Stress in Healthy Men; J. Delarue et al.; June 2003
- "Journal of Proteome Research"; Metabolic Effects of Dark Chocolate Consumption on Energy, Gut Microbiota, and Stress-Related Metabolism in Free-Living Subjects; F.J. Martin et al.; October 2009
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; The Bovine Protein Alpha-lactalbumin Increases the Plasma Ratio of Tryptophan to the Other Large Neutral Amino Acids, and in Vulnerable Subjects Raises Brain Serotonin Activity, Reduces Cortisol Concentration, and Improves Mood Under Stress; C.R. Markus et al.; June 2000
- Van der Valk ES, Savas M, Van Rossum EFC. Stress and obesity: Are there more susceptible individuals?. Curr Obes Rep. 2018;7(2):193-203. doi:10.1007/s13679-018-0306-y
- Harvard Health Publishing. Understanding the Stress Response.
- Wippert PM, Rector M, Kuhn G, Wuertz-Kozak K. Stress and Alterations in Bones: An Interdisciplinary Perspective. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2017;8:96. doi:10.3389/fendo.2017.00096
- Hewagalamulage SD, Lee TK, Clarke IJ, Henry BA. Stress, cortisol, and obesity: A role for cortisol responsiveness in identifying individuals prone to obesity. Domest Anim Endocrinol. 2016;56 Suppl:S112-S120. doi:10.1016/j.domaniend.2016.03.004
- Chaudhry HS, Singh G. Cushing Syndrome. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Updated December 14, 2019.
- Hannibal KE, Bishop MD. Chronic Stress, Cortisol Dysfunction, and Pain: A Psychoneuroendocrine Rationale for Stress Management in Pain Rehabilitation. Phys Ther. 2014;94(12):1816-1825. doi:10.2522/ptj.20130597
- Bhasin MK, Dusek JA, Chang BH, et al. Relaxation response induces temporal transcriptome changes in energy metabolism, insulin secretion and inflammatory pathways. PLoS ONE. 2017;12(2):e0172873. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0062817
- Ma X, Yue ZQ, Gong ZQ, et al. The effect of diaphragmatic breathing on attention, negative affect and stress in healthy adults. Front Psychol. 2017;8:874. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00874
- Thirthalli J, Naveen GH, Rao MG, Varambally S, Christopher R, Gangadhar BN. Cortisol and antidepressant effects of yoga. Indian J Psychiatry. 2013;55(Suppl 3):S405-S408. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.116315
- Yau YH, Potenza MN. Stress and Eating Behaviors. Minerva Endocrinol. 2013;38(3):255-267.
Writer Bio
William Gamonski is a graduate of St. Francis College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health promotion and sciences. He was a dietetic intern at Rivington House and has been a personal trainer for the past two years. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in nutrition.