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Cortisol face & adrenal cocktails: here's my take
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Lately, I’ve been seeing a lot more information circulating online around cortisol myths, “hacks,” and trendy supplements that claim to fix it. And while I love that hormone health is getting attention, a lot of the advice out there is misleading (or plain wrong). So, let’s clear things up! Let’s talk about cortisol, debunking myths, and giving you the real facts about the stress hormone. What is cortisol anyways?Cortisol is often called the “stress hormone,” which makes it sound like something we should all be desperately trying to lower. But here’s the thing - cortisol isn’t inherently bad. Cortisol is needed for:
The problem isn’t cortisol itself - the problem is when our bodies are constantly pumping out for cortisol due to chronic stress, poor sleep, under-eating, or blood sugar imbalances. Myth #1: “You should always aim to lower cortisol.”Nope. If your cortisol is too low, you’ll struggle with fatigue, brain fog, poor stress resilience, and even worsened digestion. We don’t want cortisol too high or too low - we want it balanced. Myth #2: “Cortisol is only produced when you're stressed.”Actually, cortisol follows a daily rhythm. It naturally rises in the morning (called the Cortisol Awakening Response) to help you wake up and get moving. If your morning cortisol is too low, you might feel like you need three cups of coffee just to function. Myth #3: “Adrenal cocktails will fix your cortisol.”Adrenal cocktails (e.g. a mix of orange juice, sea salt, and coconut water) are trendy right now. And while they’re not harmful, they’re also not a cure-all. If your cortisol is out of balance, the real solution lies in addressing the root cause - not just adding in one drink. (Although I do LOVE having an adrenal cocktail before a workout… let me know if you want the recipe!) Myth #4: “High cortisol gives you ‘Cortisol Face.’”You may have seen people on social media blaming facial puffiness or weight gain in the face on “cortisol face.” While it’s true that extreme cortisol imbalances - like in Cushing’s disease - can cause noticeable changes in fat distribution, for most people, occasional puffiness is more likely due to fluid retention, poor lymphatic drainage, inflammation, or blood sugar imbalances rather than cortisol alone. Chronic stress and elevated cortisol can contribute to oxidative stress and collagen breakdown over time, which may accelerate aging, but popping a “cortisol-lowering” supplement isn’t the magic fix. Instead, focus on balancing blood sugar, supporting lymph flow (gentle facial massage, hydration, movement), and managing stress holistically. What actually works?If you’re struggling with symptoms of cortisol imbalance (fatigue, skin issues, digestive problems, mood swings), we need to look at: ✔️ Blood sugar stability (hello, balanced meals!) This is exactly what I help my clients work on in my 1:1 coaching. If you're tired of sifting through conflicting advice and want real, personalized solutions, book a Discovery Call to see how we can get your hormones (and your skin + gut) back on track. Click here to schedule your call Your body wants balance - we just have to support it the right way! In health, -Daina Forward this email to anyone who would benefit 💌 Forwarded this email? Sign up HERE to get future emails directly to your inbox. |
Holistic Nutrition & Gut Health
Learn something that will make you healthier every Thursday. Join 300+ health-minded women and get practical tips to improve your diet, detoxify your home, get better skin, and more.
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