Category Archives: Cortisol

Alcohol Addiction and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

Posted on August 5, 2024 by Robert Barrington

Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a peptide hormone under the regulation of the cyclic AMP response element binding (CREB) protein. Evidence suggests that BDNF is required for neuronal health, synaptic plasticity, and may play a role in memory and … Continue reading →

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Phosphatidylserine to Blunt Cortisol Release

Posted on July 1, 2024 by Robert Barrington

Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid found in the cell membranes of plants and animals. The presence of phosphatidylserine is required for normal membrane function, and in addition to membrane fluidity, this may include the regulation of key membrane bound enzymes and … Continue reading →

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Can Carbohydrate and Protein Influence Testosterone Levels?

Posted on April 29, 2024 by Robert Barrington

It is known that testosterone levels in men can be influenced by the diet, particularly the fat and total energy levels. However, other macronutrients may also have an effect. Some evidence suggests that the protein to carbohydrate ratio may significantly … Continue reading →

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Selenium and Vitamin C: The Stress Connection

Posted on May 11, 2022 by Robert Barrington

A number of nutrients are associated with protection from chronic stress. The basis for this differs between nutrients, but one category of anti-stress nutrients may function through an antioxidant mechanism. Both selenium and vitamin C are important nutrients required for … Continue reading →

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Effects of Fasting on Testosterone

Posted on September 14, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Fasting has some interesting metabolic effects. For example, the fall in insulin levels seen with fasting may induce weight loss, and the fall in inflammatory markers may improve immunity. Testosterone levels are known to drop in males undergoing fasting and … Continue reading →

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Stress and Fasting

Posted on September 13, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Fasting is known to cause significant hormonal and neuronal changes. These changes are thought to be responsible for some of the health effects of fasting. Fasting can change brain chemistry through a number of mechanisms and one mechanism might be … Continue reading →

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Resistance Training: Not Just For The Young

Posted on August 6, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Resistance training has a number of health benefits. These include a general improvement in physical fitness, as well as specific adaptations that include increased muscle mass, improvements in cardiovascular fitness and reductions in stress levels. Studies have investigated the effects … Continue reading →

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Can Vitamin C Suppress Cortisol Levels?

Posted on July 29, 2021 by Robert Barrington

There is evidence that vitamin C is able to suppress blood levels of cortisol in humans. In one study a group of researchers administered synthetic corticotropin (a hormone that causes the release of cortisol) to a group of children as … Continue reading →

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Magnesium Supplements as A Sleep Aid

Posted on July 12, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Sleep deprivation is a common cause of poor health. In particular sleep deprivation may contribute towards the development of mood disorders and may also perpetuate them once present. Obtaining enough sleep is important because restorative processes occur during sleep, and … Continue reading →

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Oxidative Stress and Cortisol Resistance

Posted on July 9, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Cortisol is a stress hormone that is released in response to environmental stress. Cortisol is considered one of the major stress hormones in humans while corticosterone performs a similar role in animals. One of the functions of cortisol is to … Continue reading →

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