Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom (118 page)

Mobilizes and increases fatty acids in the blood (from fat cells) to be used as fuel for energy production

But, as with most things, too much cortisol can also cause problems. An excess:

Leads to diminished glucose utilization by the cells and increases blood sugar and insulin levels

Decreases the body’s ability to synthesize protein

Increases protein breakdown, which can lead to muscle wasting and osteoporosis

Suppresses the sex hormones

Increases the risk for hypertension, high cholesterol, and heart disease

Causes immune system depression, which may lead to increased susceptibility to allergies, infections, and cancer

Under normal circumstances, DHEA reverses many of the unfavor able effects of excessive cortisol, as well as providing important benefits of its own. It:

Functions as an androgen to help the body build tissue

Is a precursor for testosterone, the hormone associated with sexual desire

Reverses immune suppression caused by excessive cortisol levels and therefore increases resistance to viruses, bacteria,
Candida albicans,
parasites, allergies, and cancer

Stimulates bone deposition and remodeling, which prevents osteoporosis

Improves cardiovascular status by lowering total and LDL (bad) cholesterol

Increases muscle mass and decreases percentage of body fat