Hi everyone and welcome back to Ask a Nutritionist, our weekly mini episode of Dishing Up Nutrition.

I am Alyssa, registered dietitian with nutritional weight wellness.

Today I'm diving into the topic of cortisol. You have probably heard cortisol called the stress hormone and may feel like cortisol is your problem.

However, there is more to it.

Cortisol itself is not a bad hormone.

You need cortisol.

In this episode, we will cover what cortisol is.

Signs your cortisol might be dysregulated.

And most importantly, strategies you can use to support bringing cortisol back into balance.

So first, what is cortisol? Well, cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by

your adrenal glands, which sit on top of your kidneys. It's part of your body's natural circadian

rhythm, playing a key role in keeping you alive and functioning. A well-functioning circadian rhythm, cortisol peaks in the morning

within about 30 to 45 minutes of waking up. This helps you feel alert and awake and get your

brain ready to focus for the day. Then cortisol naturally lowers throughout the late morning

and afternoon.

You should feel steady energy without big crashes or cravings for sugar and caffeine to stay awake.

Cortisol continues to lower throughout the afternoon and is at its lowest point in the evening

before you go to bed.

Lower cortisol levels in the evening allow for melatonin,

your sleep hormone, to rise. You should feel sleepy, not wired, before you go to bed. Even though

we often refer to cortisol as the stress hormone, it's a natural part of our daily wake

and sleep cycle. Problems can arise when cortisol stays chronically elevated, which is common in our stressful

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