One of the most misunderstood hormones in the body is cortisol. It’s got a bad reputation, as it is often referred to as the “stress hormone.” But as with so much in the body, it’s not a simple matter of “good” or “bad.” Cortisol serves an important purpose and is essential for survival. What matters most is keeping it balanced, especially when considering its connection to another key hormone: human growth hormone (HGH). Let’s try to dispel some myths and see how these two hormones can influence each other.
Myth #1: All Cortisol Is Bad
Cortisol isn’t your enemy. In truth, your body requires it to live.
When your body is under stress, it produces cortisol to aid in coping with it and facilitate the recovery process. But it does more than react to stress. Cortisol helps:
- Regulate your metabolism
- Control blood sugar levels
- Fight inflammation
- Keep you alert in emergencies
If you don’t have cortisol, then your body wouldn’t be able to cope with the presence of illness, injury, or even the demands of a regular day.
Myth #2: You Can Remove Cortisol Entirely
The fact of the matter is that you don’t want to completely rid your body of cortisol. What is best for your health is for you to maintain a healthy balance. When you have too much cortisol for too long, problems can happen.
- Increased weight around the belly
- Muscle loss
- Difficulty sleeping
- Weakened immune system
- Faster signs of aging
Elevated cortisol due to chronic stress, poor sleep, and bad eating habits can contribute to all of this. The key is not to banish cortisol. The goal that you need to meet is just to keep it in the right range.
So, Where Does HGH Come In?
The human growth hormone is another key hormone; however, it operates differently from cortisol. Human growth hormone helps your body:
- Build muscle
- Burn fat
- Regenerate skin
- Boost energy
- Recover at the cellular level
This is particularly important as you age, or when you’ve been recovering from illness or a personal challenge. Simply put, human growth hormone is the key to a strong and youthful body.
The Cortisol vs. HGH Connection
Cortisol and HGH tend to move in opposite directions. And when you have high levels of cortisol because you’re constantly stressed out, production of HGH dips. That translates to less recovery, slower healing, and more fatigue.
When HGH is high, on the other hand, your body recovers more effectively, builds muscle more quickly, and stores less fat. It’s one reason efforts to manage stress and get enough sleep matter so much for fitness and health.
What About Hormone Therapy?
Because the body’s human growth hormone levels naturally decrease with age or illness, others hope that hormone therapy is the answer. HGH therapy under medical care might help restore hormonal balance, particularly in people who are found to have deficiencies.
Always contact a specialist prior to starting any treatment. If you’re considering therapy, buy HGH only from reputable, licensed suppliers to guarantee safety and effectiveness. There are many sites online that sell hormones and claim to be reputable; however, you can’t be sure what you’re getting.
Buying hormones from untrustworthy websites can be very risky. Some of these sites may offer tainted, counterfeit, or unapproved drugs. You might consume something dangerous and not even realize it until it’s too late. Fake hormones may not work, and they might even have detrimental side effects like heart problems, liver damage, or mood changes. And because such sites typically don’t ask for a prescription, you also lose the opportunity for a doctor to ensure the treatment is safe for your body.
Cortisol is not the demon it’s portrayed to be, and HGH is not a magical cure. Your body requires both, but you must have the proper doses of each to achieve optimal health. By finding ways to manage stress, rest up, and talk with a medical professional, you can keep these hormones balanced and support your body to help it run at its best.
