Do I Have High or Low Cortisol – Confusion Clarified on Cortisol Levels by Dr. Berg

Let me clear up some of the confusion around high and low cortisol. Check this out.

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How to Reduce Stress:

Timestamps
0:00 Cortisol explained
0:35 Symptoms of high cortisol
1:08 Symptoms of low cortisol 
1:45 Cushing’s syndrome and Addison’s disease 
2:10 A subclinical cortisol problem
2:42 Cortisol resistance explained 
4:35 What to do for cortisol resistance
5:15 What to do from a nutritional standpoint 

There is a lot of confusion around cortisol. Many people are unsure whether or not they may have high cortisol or low cortisol. Today I want to help clear up this confusion. 

Symptoms of high cortisol (Cushing’s syndrome):
• Large waist
• Thin leg muscles 
• Round face
• Insomnia 
• Blood sugar issues 
• Atrophy in the gluteus maximus (butt muscles) 
• Acne 
• Allergies 
• Low vitamin D
• Excessive thinking 
• Osteoporosis 

Symptoms of low cortisol (Addison’s syndrome):
• Thin waist
• Tan 
• Vitiligo 
• Poor immune system 
• Salt cravings all day long 
• You’re completely burnt out 

Cushing’s syndrome is very rare. Addison’s disease is also very rare. However, there can be a subclinical problem with cortisol. This means that it may not show up on a blood test or a saliva test until it’s very advanced. I believe many people have a subclinical cortisol problem that’s hard to detect with certain testing. 

With a subclinical cortisol problem, the receptor for cortisol has become downgraded. There is now a cortisol resistance problem. With this situation, you can actually have symptoms of both low cortisol and high cortisol.

To potentially help with cortisol resistance, you need to do whatever you can to inhibit the trigger for cortisol. You need to drop your stress. Isolate where your stress is coming from and do whatever you can to minimize the stress. There are things you can do as far as exercise, diet, nutrients, and even a certain massage technique that I've outlined in other videos. There is also something natural called Panax ginseng that may potentially help, along with lowering your stress.

Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, age 58, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan, and is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

Disclaimer:
Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

#keto #ketodiet #weightloss

Thanks for watching! Overall, whether or not you may have high or low cortisol, you may really want to focus on reducing your stress as much as possible.

[omariam]

Interesting topic Dr. Berg. I've been living under constant stress for the past 3 years and my adrenals were so fatigued I could barely get out of bed in the morning and felt so lethargic throughout the day, and to make things worse I used to drink a lot of coffee to keep awake, and of course it was impossible to sleep at night, and when I did, I'd wake up in the middle of the night and never been able to go back to sleep. I even always got dizzy when I stand, which is another sign of adrenal burn out. Then I learned about the ketogenic diet, and within 4 months I managed to bring my blood sugar levels to normal, and started taking nutritional yeast and some adaptogenic herbs (Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Astragalus, Stinging nettle roots, Reishi mushroom, Cordyceps, Lemon balm, Skullcap, Passionflower, Ginseng, Gotu kola, Brahmi, Ginkgo, to name a few), in short I confronted my adrenal fatigue head on very aggressively. I also stopped drinking coffee and tea. Now I feel much better, I can sleep through the night and wake up refreshed and full of energy with a positive outlook, all praise to God. Now I make it my mission to raise the awareness of the people around me about how to combat chronic stress and restore the hormonal balance since so many people are suffering silently without knowing what's wrong with them, and the criminal medical establishment is not helping either, so it's very crucial, I think, that people share their knowledge and experience with these unrecognized conditions by the criminal medical establishment, and that's why I really appreciate what you're doing, Dr. Berg. God bless you!

[michaelharned]

Avoiding stress is easier said than done

[dimitar]

Walking for 20-30 minutes first thing in the morning does wonders for cortisol issues :)

[XxXxDominator]

damm the information that we never knew we needed and this is why i watch this channel daily because it is life changing in an amazingly positive way for all

[TheConnieLee]

Stress from employment is a big one. Avoiding certain coworkers is key.

[iWuvHuskys]

I'm in remission from Cushing's disease, your cortisol related videos are so helpful

[charliepinelo]

I’ve been watching the PA legislative hearing on OAN. I wish you could all see this. It’s extremely informative, thorough, and compelling. HAPPY THANKS GIVING

[silviageorge]

Impeccable logic !
Exceptional explanatory choice !
Thank you very much, Dr. Berg !

[ahmadyahyal]

😂 Why was I confused just yesterday and this pops up! Thanks Dr.berg!

[sarahussein]

I had low cortisol, was eating salt like food, on top of that i was diagnosed with undetactive thyroid and h pylori infection. I struggled for 4 years. When I go to doctor they say nothing wrong with you although I couldn't sleep during night, i was irritable and my body shape changed i suddenly looked old. But all that has changed after i found your channel. Thanks dr berg

[kevinkimwiley]

Thank you for all your videos Dr. Berg. I listen a lot and find you very knowledgeable and trustworthy....there are so many wacky things out there. Keep them coming. Kim from Canada!

[lambylambcurly]

Suffering with cortisol related issues for long time now, medical community is really a waste, my Dr didnt even want to listen to my symptoms, no cooperation at all to find out whats going on, thank you for Drs like you Dr. Berg for spreading awareness, much important in todays world. People are done with big pharma. Ayurveda, naturopathy and homeopathy are the way to go🙏🙏

[steben]

i believe topical steroid withdrawal has a lot in common with this great video. Could you please do a video on it and how steroid addiction affects the body.

[dailydoseofmedicinee]

High Cortisol Levels Symptoms and Signs👍

Fatigue.

Mid-section weight gain.

Bruising easily.

Swelling in the legs.

Mood swings.

Irregular periods.

Mental fogginess.

Muscle weakness.

[smcptrsa]

IM ALWAYS IN A WORRY OR STRESS STATE EVEN WHEN I DREAM

[HigherOnLife]

Using organic KSM-66 Ashwagandha right now for high cortisol. It works wonders. I'm no longer anxious and it looks like my testosterone is beginning to work properly again (seen massive muscle gain & better sexual performance)

[miriamroche]

Thanks Dr Berg. Glad to c u standing again - I was worried something was wrong. Or maybe ur just getting lazy - just kidding 😉 I was in a very stressful situation for the past 11 years, ended 2 months ago. Now I am riddled with inflammation all over. My doc wants me to go on steroids - I don't want to. So I'm trying to cure it with ur help. I'm out walking every day. I'm intermittent fasting and eating 2 meals in a 4 hour window. I'm eating big salads and lots of veg, with healthy fats and some protein. And doing some acupressure too, I have ur tool thing. No change so far - I'm not expecting an overnight miracle but hoping for some improvement by the new year. I've been burnt out for a long long time so hoping for a way back to health. I do sympathise with others in stressful situations like I was especially if it's a family member. It's not always possible to get away from it. A job is different, u can get another !

[frankenz]

Am in Arkansas and I grow my own ginseng. I drink tea from it's leaves. I call it "paradox tea" because while I get a calming sensation soon after drinking it, I get a very noticable sense of heightened awareness at the same. No nervous or jittery feeling. Just an energetic one. Drinking it is literally like your senses have a volume knob and you just gently turned it up. One drawback being it tastes very bitter.

[JamesPawson]

How timely!! I was up tossing and turning most of the night last night, and caught myself wondering if it has to do with cortisol.
Yikes... big gut, round face, super skinny legs, racing thoughts... check all the boxes. Well, glad I watched this!

[NATUREMAN]

Good morning and happy thanksgiving all.