was ist cortisol einfach erklärt — can a microbiome test help?

Cortisol is a vital hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It regulates metabolism, blood sugar, blood pressure, and immune response – and is often called the 'stress hormone' because it is released during acute stress. Chronically elevated levels can be harmful (e.g., weight gain, sleep disturbances, immune suppression). A microbiome test cannot directly measure cortisol, but there is evidence for a gut-brain axis: certain gut bacteria may influence the stress axis and could indirectly indicate dysregulation. However, the evidence is mostly mechanistic, based on animal studies or small human trials. A microbiome test alone is not a substitute for clinical cortisol diagnostics (saliva, blood, or urine). If you suspect real cortisol issues, consult an endocrinologist. The predictive value of DTC microbiome tests for stress hormones is currently limited and often marketing-driven.