Cortisol is a type of Adrenal Glucocorticoid Hormone (Corticosteroid) manufactured by the (zona fasciculata and zona reticularis of the) Adrenal Glands.

Biological Functions: 

• may help to control Allergies
• significantly inhibits Inflammation
• released as a result of Stress and causes adaptive physiological changes to occur that allow the body to cope with Stress

Factors That Cause Excessive Cortisol Release:

• excessive quantities of Cortisol are released in persons who are subjected to excessive Stress and these large quantities of released Cortisol are toxic to the body
• exposure to Fluorescent Light may cause the body to manufacture excessive amounts of Cortisol
• elevated Cholesterol levels may cause the production of excessive amounts of Cortisol
• following Intensive Exercise, and during excessive Endurance Exercise (overtraining), free Cortisol levels may rise to levels up to ten times that of normal resting levels
• the lack of Sleep that is implicit in Insomnia may increase Cortisol levels

Substances That Minimise the Toxic Effects of Cortisol: 

• Acetyl-L-Carnitine
• Magnesium 
• Whey Protein 
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Ginkgo Biloba
• Korean Ginseng
• St John's Wort