Social media feeds have recently been flooded with wellness influencers warning about the dangers of high cortisol.But is this complex hormone truly something people should try to eliminate, or is it a victim of online hyperbole?In a recent Fox & Friends segment, Ainsley Earhardt sat down with New York City-based certified dietitian and nutritionist Amy Shapiro to separate fact from fiction.Despite its reputation, cortisol is a biological necessity.Produced by the adrenal glands, it is the body's primary stress hormone.DOCTORS SAY 8 FORGOTTEN HABITS COULD HELP FIGHT STRESS, OBESITY AND CHRONIC DISEASE"It does help us in many ways," Shapiro said during the segment.Reducing processed foods and prioritizing daily stress-management habits are effective ways to naturally keep your cortisol levels balanced.
(iStock)"It helps us get out of bed in the morning.You have a cortisol spike.
Gives you that energy to get up and go.It helps to protect you when you have to run ...
It helps support your immune system."COFFEE MAY HAVE POWERFUL EFFECT ON LIVER HEALTH, MAJOR STUDY SUGGESTSUnder normal conditions, cortisol levels follow a natural 24-hour cycle, peaking in the morning to help the body wake up and gradually dropping to their lowest point at night. Problems arise when the body remains in a prolonged state of stress, causing cortisol levels to stay elevated.Cortisol is an essential stress hormone that naturally peaks in the morning to provide energy and support the immune system.(iStock)According to Mayo Clinic, chronic exposure to high cortisol can disrupt almost all of the body's processes, contributing to anxiety, sleep issues and weight gain.CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIESShapiro highlighted these as markers of cortisol imbalance, along with additional warning signs like frequent illness and feelings of burnout.While influencers often attribute a puffy face ("moon face") entirely to cortisol, Shapiro said this is often misleading.Signs of chronically high cor...