article_snippet.sent: Most scientists agree that a bit of stress is good for you, stimulating your body to produce an important hormone called cortisol.
article_snippet.sent: In it she reveals why prolonged periods of stress - due to money and work, for example - can inhibit your immune system and even lead to weaker bones.
article_snippet.sent: Cortisol is known as the 'stress hormone'.
article_snippet.sent: Normally, Cortisol's present in the body at higher levels in the morning, and at the body lowest at night.
article_snippet.sent: Although stress isn't the only reason that cortisol is secreted into the bloodstream, cortisol has been termed the 'stress hormone' as cortisol is released when the body is in 'fight or flight' mode.
article_snippet.sent: As she explains, when you encounter a stressful situation ‘your body will start releasing [the hormones] adrenaline and norepinephrine within seconds to prepare you to fight - or more likely, take flight.
article_snippet.sent: After a minute or two your body is flooded with cortisol, which is vital in keeping you healthy in tense situations.
article_snippet.sent: Cortisol puts more glucose into your bloodstream so that when the adrenaline is gone you do
article_snippet.sent: After a minute or two of being stressed (stock image shown), your body is flooded with cortisol, which is vital in keeping you healthy in tense situations.
article_snippet.sent: Cortisol inhibits some of your immune responses, meaning you’re more likely to get sick and Cortisol takes longer for wounds to heal,’ ’ Dr Burks continued.
article_snippet.sent: Cortisol also slows bone growth, meaning sustained levels can lead to weaker, more fragile bones.
article_snippet.sent: And because cortisol acts on a part of your brain that controls appetite, Cortisol also increases your desire for fatty and sugary foods.
article_snippet.sent: One positive side effect of too much cortisol, though, is that cortisol is good at reducing swelling or itching in cortisol medical form - known as hydrocortisone.