was ist cortisol — what does this mean exactly?

Cortisol is a vital steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Often called the 'stress hormone,' it is released in response to physical or psychological stress, putting the body into a state of alert. Cortisol regulates metabolism by increasing blood sugar, suppresses inflammation, and helps maintain blood pressure. It follows a natural circadian rhythm: highest in the morning, lowest at night. Chronically elevated cortisol – due to ongoing stress or conditions like Cushing's syndrome – can lead to weight gain, sleep disturbances, immune suppression, and hypertension. Deficiency (adrenal insufficiency) is rare but serious. Importantly, a single blood test is not very informative because cortisol fluctuates significantly. Abnormal results require medical evaluation. Supplements like magnesium may help if a deficiency exists, but they are not a treatment for high cortisol. The evidence for cortisol physiology is human-strong, based on decades of endocrine research.