The Stress Hormone Cortisol: Friend or Enemy?

Join Dr. Emily Cooper, Andrea Taylor, and Mark Wright on Fat Science as they unravel the complex role of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. 

Dr. Cooper explains how cortisol isn’t always bad—it helps us adapt to stress, mobilize energy, and even save our lives in emergencies, but chronic elevation can cause serious health problems like insomnia, weight gain, and increased risk for diabetes and heart disease. 

The team explores the science behind how stress impacts metabolism, why recovery and adaptation are essential, and practical, science-backed strategies for managing stress in everyday life.

Key Takeaways:

• Cortisol helps the body adapt to acute stress but becomes harmful when chronically elevated, increasing risk for major health issues including metabolic dysfunction.
• Chronic stress can impair sleep, disrupt blood sugar regulation, and suppress immune function.
• Managing stress involves more than just eliminating stressors—recovery, lifestyle shifts, and purposeful micro-breaks are vital for a healthy stress response.
• Meditation, certain types of yoga, gentle exercise, fueling workouts with carbs, and improving sleep all have proven benefits for regulating cortisol.
• Balancing lifestyle choices, nourishing the body with complex carbs, antioxidants, and gut-friendly foods, and setting boundaries are crucial for long-term metabolic health.

Personal Stories & Practical Advice:

• Andrea opens up about stress shopping and learning healthier coping habits.
• Mark shares how his career-induced sleep deprivation affected his health, and the positive changes he’s made.
• Dr. Cooper offers actionable advice on finding realistic ways to “take the load off,” from better sleep to more intentional rest.

Resources from the episode:

Fat Science is a podcast on a mission to share the real science behind why we get fat, addressing stigma and confusion with facts, hope, and empowering stories. 

• Connect with Dr. Emily Cooper on LinkedIn.
• Connect with Mark Wright on LinkedIn.
• Connect with Andrea Taylor on Instagram.

Fat Science is a podcast on a mission to explain where our fat really comes from and why it won’t go and stay away. We are committed to creating a world where people are empowered with accurate information about metabolism and recognize that fat isn’t a failure. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice.

Check out our new website where you can ask a mailbag question and sign up to be in the audience for our 100th episode we’re recording on Thursday, September 4th at 9 a.m.PST. Be part of the live audience and ask Dr. Cooper a question. We’d love to celebrate this milestone with you!

If you have a question for Dr. Cooper, a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at questions@fatsciencepodcast.com or dr.c@fatsciencepodcast.com.

Fat Science is supported by the non-profit Diabesity Institute which is on a mission to increase access to effective, science-based medical care for those suffering from or at risk for diabesity. https://diabesityresearchfoundation.org/