Definition:
Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland. It is often called a stress hormone, because the body makes more of it in the face of acute, or chronic (ongoing), stress.
Levels of cortisol in the blood fluctuate over a 24-hour period, with highest levels typically in the morning (6-8am), and lower levels around midnight. Doctors can test for increased or decreased cortisol levels using a serum (blood) or urinary cortisol test. While cortisol plays a valuable role in the day to day functioning of the body, chronically-elevated cortisol has been linked to reduced longevity because of its detrimental effects on the cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune systems.Sources:
Cortisol Level. US National Institutes of Health Medline Public Information Sheet. Accessed June 26, 2012.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003693.htm
Cortisol: Urine. US National Institutes of Health Medline Public Information Sheet. Accessed June 26, 2012.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003703.htm
Pronunciation: CORT-i-zahl
