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The Iron Game
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Just a small piece of a paper recently written. It was not on cortisol but rather stress. I have only taken the info relating to cortisol.
When the body is exposed to stress, whether it be physical or psychological, the hypothalamus in the brain releases a hormone called corticotropin-releasing hormone. Cortisol is a dominant catabolic hormone which will leave many in an overtrained state and prevent many goals from being achieved.
Total elimination of this hormone is not what is wanted, in fact it would put you one step forward and two back.
'Increased adrenocortical activity is reflected in increased plasma and urine levels of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids. Such increases have been noted in response to a variety of stresses' (Mason et al., 1965)
What is of some importance is this Integration of the Endocrine Response to Stress.
'..using male Rhesus monkeys working on a conditioned avoidance schedule. In the avoidance procedure the monkeys had to press a hand lever at a moderate but continuous rate to avoid an unpleasant foot shock.
Measurements of response of a number of endocrine systems were taken before, during, and after 72 hours of avoidance activity.
....Urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, adrenaline, and noradrenaline levels rose, as did plasma levels of butanol-extractableiodine (indicator of thyroid activity) and Growth hormone. However oestrogen and anadrogen levels fell, as did plasma insulin levels'.
The findings were that catabolic hormone levels rose, not at the start, whereas anabolic hormone levels dropped.
From another study, cortisol levels began to increase, not at the start but 20 minutes after subjected to stress.
A possible explanation for this is explained below:
Blood Glucose Levels and Stress
In stress-producing situations glucose is the person's most important source of immediately available energy. Both central nervous system and musculature are almost entirely dependant on it for the efficient performance of their functions. Furthermore glucose may also be required as a source of energy for the repair and regeneration of damaged tissue.
This is in contrast to proteins and fats which are other possible sources for energy, carbohydrates tend not to yield toxic metabolites, EVEN if large quantities are suddenly catabolised. The utilisation of glucose by peripheral tissues therefore proceeds without risk to the person even if severe shock disrupts hepatic detoxification and renal elimination of metabolites. In accute emergencies the person is almost entirely dependant on blood glucose. Normal concentrations of glucose in the blood: 60-90mgs/100ml of plasma. Kept within this range by a number of regulatory mechanisms. The main problem of this regulation is the tendancy for a person to eat in frequently.
This is not so important to us, but certain things we can adopt if we dont already:
*Consume carbohydrates not protein or fat pre workout (although I must admit I sometimes eat beef)
*Cortisol increases peak at about 20 minutes after stressful activity and then steadily decline. Carbs at the beginning of this will allow your body to deal with the increase in cortisol over drinking just water.
*Funny enough, although cortisol increase 20 minutes into some activity relating to stress, it is followed by a drop in catabolic hormones and an increase in anabolic hormones to counter problems encountered.
*Eat frequently as all of us do in order to help counter problems relating to stress which can be quite serious as well as keeping a more steady level of glucose in the blood stream.
*Phosphatidlyserine does help to an extent but remember not to completely try and eliminate cortisol from your body.
*Deep breathing does help.
*Steroids do help but when coming off, cortisol and oestrogen will be your biggest problem. You must fully restore the Hypothalamus in order to try and keep lbm gained.
Peace
When the body is exposed to stress, whether it be physical or psychological, the hypothalamus in the brain releases a hormone called corticotropin-releasing hormone. Cortisol is a dominant catabolic hormone which will leave many in an overtrained state and prevent many goals from being achieved.
Total elimination of this hormone is not what is wanted, in fact it would put you one step forward and two back.
'Increased adrenocortical activity is reflected in increased plasma and urine levels of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids. Such increases have been noted in response to a variety of stresses' (Mason et al., 1965)
What is of some importance is this Integration of the Endocrine Response to Stress.
'..using male Rhesus monkeys working on a conditioned avoidance schedule. In the avoidance procedure the monkeys had to press a hand lever at a moderate but continuous rate to avoid an unpleasant foot shock.
Measurements of response of a number of endocrine systems were taken before, during, and after 72 hours of avoidance activity.
....Urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, adrenaline, and noradrenaline levels rose, as did plasma levels of butanol-extractableiodine (indicator of thyroid activity) and Growth hormone. However oestrogen and anadrogen levels fell, as did plasma insulin levels'.
The findings were that catabolic hormone levels rose, not at the start, whereas anabolic hormone levels dropped.
From another study, cortisol levels began to increase, not at the start but 20 minutes after subjected to stress.
A possible explanation for this is explained below:
Blood Glucose Levels and Stress
In stress-producing situations glucose is the person's most important source of immediately available energy. Both central nervous system and musculature are almost entirely dependant on it for the efficient performance of their functions. Furthermore glucose may also be required as a source of energy for the repair and regeneration of damaged tissue.
This is in contrast to proteins and fats which are other possible sources for energy, carbohydrates tend not to yield toxic metabolites, EVEN if large quantities are suddenly catabolised. The utilisation of glucose by peripheral tissues therefore proceeds without risk to the person even if severe shock disrupts hepatic detoxification and renal elimination of metabolites. In accute emergencies the person is almost entirely dependant on blood glucose. Normal concentrations of glucose in the blood: 60-90mgs/100ml of plasma. Kept within this range by a number of regulatory mechanisms. The main problem of this regulation is the tendancy for a person to eat in frequently.
This is not so important to us, but certain things we can adopt if we dont already:
*Consume carbohydrates not protein or fat pre workout (although I must admit I sometimes eat beef)
*Cortisol increases peak at about 20 minutes after stressful activity and then steadily decline. Carbs at the beginning of this will allow your body to deal with the increase in cortisol over drinking just water.
*Funny enough, although cortisol increase 20 minutes into some activity relating to stress, it is followed by a drop in catabolic hormones and an increase in anabolic hormones to counter problems encountered.
*Eat frequently as all of us do in order to help counter problems relating to stress which can be quite serious as well as keeping a more steady level of glucose in the blood stream.
*Phosphatidlyserine does help to an extent but remember not to completely try and eliminate cortisol from your body.
*Deep breathing does help.
*Steroids do help but when coming off, cortisol and oestrogen will be your biggest problem. You must fully restore the Hypothalamus in order to try and keep lbm gained.
Peace
