Stop Stress!
Cortisol, known as the primary stress hormone, serves several crucial roles in our body. It typically reaches its highest levels in the morning, which helps with waking and alertness, before gradually decreasing throughout the day to prepare for sleep.
However, prolonged high levels of cortisol can lead to various health issues such as increased appetite, weight gain, hypertension, muscle weakness, mood fluctuations, diabetes, and even sleep disturbances and skin problems.
Understanding cortisol patterns is essential. A Montreal-based health tech startup, Eli Health, recently introduced an at-home cortisol test aimed at addressing these concerns.
“We started six years ago out of personal needs,” said Marina Pavlovic Rivas, the company’s co-founder and CEO. “This particular hormone has a significant influence on our health.”
Curious about the test itself? Let’s delve into how it functions and ways to optimize your cortisol levels.
What Does Cortisol Do?
Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands as a response to stress. It’s also influenced by factors like light, diet, and sleep.
Hormones play a crucial role in managing blood pressure, blood sugar, and immune system response, while also regulating the body’s fight or flight mechanism.
“Cortisol goes far beyond just managing stress; it impacts all physical functions,” said Pavlovic Rivas. “It’s like a dictator in the realm of hormones.”
How Does ELI Health’s Test Work?
Eli Health suggests testing at least every two weeks to keep an eye on cortisol levels. It’s recommended to take the test in the morning after waking up or in the evening before bed. A monthly set of four tests costs about $32.
The testing process is straightforward—similar to pregnancy or COVID tests. Saliva has long been used to gauge cortisol levels.
To start, users need to download the Eli Health app, which records the test results. The test involves placing it under the tongue for a minute to collect saliva.
“Imagine filling up a tube,” Pavlovic Rivas explains. It’s important to gather enough saliva for accurate results.
Once collected, you’ll pull a tab on the test and wait about twenty minutes for results, which aren’t instant like other tests. Taking a photo of the test results through the app helps interpret the information.
The app uses color variations to gauge levels. If the test isn’t executed properly, or if there isn’t enough saliva, it may yield invalid results.
Ways to Improve Cortisol Levels
The app also enables users to track activities that might influence cortisol. This functionality assists in identifying patterns, allowing adjustments to optimize levels.
Maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in moderate exercise, ensuring proper sleep, practicing mindfulness, getting natural light, and nurturing supportive relationships can all help keep cortisol levels in check.
“We’ve observed this trend among our user base,” Rivas noted. For some, spending time in nature significantly lowers cortisol. And, interestingly, some users are realizing that intense late-night workouts might disrupt their sleep.
Testing for cortisol is expected to be publicly available by the end of September, with plans to introduce a progesterone testing system aimed at regulating menstrual cycles and impacting mood, sleep, and energy levels.
