Natural Cortisol Remover
Cortisol is produced from stress. While some doctors believe that blocking cortisol and stress is a bad idea, there are an equal number who link it to obesity and other health problems. If you wish to reduce cortisol naturally, here are some ways to do it. These methods have not all been approved by doctors or the FDA; please consult a doctor before making a drastic change in your life, diet or supplementation.
Lifestyle Changes
Stress and cortisol production are often caused by our attitude and reaction to the events in our lives. If you begin to look at problems as opportunities and learning experiences instead of stressful events, it will actually decrease your stress level. On a related note, thinking positively about past successes instead of failures can help to reduce stressful situations. Affirmations have been used in the personal development field for years to help keep stress at bay. Even repeating to yourself something as simple as "I can handle this," can make you feel more capable and less stressed. Other ways to combat stress by changing your living habits are to stretch, take deep breaths, taking yoga or transcendental meditation classes, taking hot baths, regular exercise, and listening to soothing music (see reference 2).
Vitamins
Vitamin C can help your immune system but it can also help to lower your cortisol levels and limit the effects that often accompany the hormone. Cortisol's effects are stunted by vitamin C due to the vitamin's lowering of blood pressure and blood sugar. Vitamin C is also used to make other stress hormones that can keep the system better balanced. B-complex vitamins help lower your stress levels in many ways by providing you with energy, keeping tiredness at bay, and are the building blocks for brain chemicals that improve your mood and keep you alert. By taking a B-complex vitamin, you may be able to take a good chunk out of your cortisol levels. A lack of balance of vitamins in general may lead to health problems and more stress, so it is a good idea to have a healthy diet with many fruits and vegetables to keep your health level high (see references 1 and 3).
Herbs
Valerian root has been known to lower cortisol levels. It is a sedative and can help to counteract the effects of stress in general. Ginseng has long been attached to hormone-balancing properties along with an ability to stop the overproduction of cortisol. Holy basil, an herb that was first discovered in India, can help balance blood-sugar levels and lower your overall feelings of stress. St. John's wort has found its way into many herbal antidepressants that use its sedative properties to decrease the feelings of anxiety (see reference 3).
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