Why Cortisol Isn’t the Enemy—And What You Really Need to Know

Let’s get one thing straight: cortisol isn’t the enemy.

If you’ve been blaming all your fatigue, weight gain, puffiness, inflammation, and that “cortisol belly” on cortisol alone, you’re missing the bigger picture. I get it—80% of women experience hormonal imbalances at some point—but hormones are never the root cause. They’re messengers. They respond to what’s going on inside and around you.

Stress (emotional, physical, even from hidden infections or toxins) pushes your cortisol to react. That doesn’t necessarily mean your cortisol is high. In fact, I see low cortisol more often in my practice, especially in women who’ve been in survival mode for far too long. The stress bucket overflows—and your body taps out.

The Real Root Causes of Cortisol Imbalance

Cortisol imbalance doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Your body is smart and incredibly interconnected. If something is off, it usually links back to a few key areas:

1. Blood Sugar Dysregulation

Skipping meals, living off caffeine, crashing at 3 p.m.—sound familiar? That’s your blood sugar yo-yo-ing all day long. When it drops too low, your body calls in cortisol to save the day and bring it back up. It’s not bad—it’s protective. But constant rollercoasters exhaust your adrenals over time.

2. Hidden Infections & Toxins

Fungal overgrowths, mold exposure, heavy metals—these things place a huge burden on your body. Your immune system stays on high alert, and cortisol steps in to help. But again, long-term stress from these sources will deplete your reserves.

3. Emotional Stress & Trauma

Unresolved trauma or ongoing emotional stress pushes your body into chronic survival mode. Cortisol responds, but when it’s happening for months or years, your body can no longer keep up.

4. Poor Diet & Over-Exercising

Even if you’re eating “clean,” you could be under-eating or overdoing intense workouts. Your nervous system doesn’t know the difference between a toxic boss and a punishing HIIT routine—it just feels stress.

Symptoms of High vs. Low Cortisol

Knowing whether your cortisol is high or low can help you approach healing in the right way.

High Cortisol:

• Fatigue but wired at night

• Trouble sleeping

• Puffiness

• Weight gain

• Feeling anxious and jittery

Low Cortisol:

• Exhaustion despite sleeping 10+ hours

• Depression or mental fog

• Weight loss resistance

• Getting sick often

• Feeling completely tapped out

How to Start Balancing Your Cortisol

I always recommend a root-cause approach (and yes, functional lab testing when possible), but here are a few places you can start:

🥦 Nutrition First

Focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods. Always pair protein and healthy fats with carbs to stabilize blood sugar—think ground beef and butter with your rice or potatoes. If you're really struggling with blood sugar, a short-term carnivore reset can be surprisingly helpful in certain cases.

🧘‍♀️ Lifestyle & Nervous System Support

Joy is medicine. Whether that’s laying at the beach, reading in the sun, or just walking outside—find what lights you up. Practices like breathwork, tapping (EFT), journaling, prayer, and frequency music all support nervous system regulation, which directly supports cortisol balance.

🧴 Smart Supplementation

Adaptogens like reishi mushrooms are amazing natural tools. I love Reishi Supreme or Organo's reishi-based coffee for daily support. Homeopathics like DesBio Adrenal Support or DesBio Hormone Combination have also been game-changers for many of my clients—especially postpartum women or those under chronic stress.

📊 Lab Testing for Precision

If you’re ready to really dig into your cortisol story, tests like the DUTCH test or my Complete Root Cause Panel can show you exactly what’s going on—how your cortisol is metabolizing, where your imbalances lie, and what your body needs most.

Cortisol isn’t the villain. It’s your body’s way of keeping you safe. The key isn’t to “shut it down” but to understand why it’s reacting the way it is—and work with your body, not against it.

It’s time to stop just surviving and start giving your body what it truly needs to thrive.

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