Weekly Healthy Advice From VÄXA

The Link between Stress and the Immune System

There is much hype in the media these days about cortisol. Some commercials and articles claim that cortisol is essentially the root of all evil, and that, in excess amounts, it can be held responsible for everything from excess belly fat to increased blood pressure and increased blood sugar.

Cortisol is a corticosteroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Often referred to as the stress hormone, cortisol is the hormone behind the action when you have a fight or flight reaction.

It is well known that cortisol is also responsible for disrupting the immune response, though it is not clear whether it actually suppresses the immune system or whether the faulty regulation of the hormone - as caused by stress - sends an anti-inflammatory signal to the immune system that lessens as stress levels decline. For instance, think of how often you end up sick right after a major event or trauma. If the stress itself was suppressing the immune response, wouldn't you be sick while you're taking that major exam, and not two days afterward?