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Cortisol Metabolic Impact

Meaning

Cortisol metabolic impact describes the extensive and multifaceted effects of the primary glucocorticoid hormone, cortisol, on the body’s energy balance and substrate utilization. As a key stress hormone, cortisol fundamentally influences glucose homeostasis by promoting gluconeogenesis in the liver and inducing peripheral insulin resistance, raising blood glucose levels. Furthermore, it stimulates lipolysis, mobilizing fatty acids from adipose tissue, and promotes protein catabolism, releasing amino acids for glucose production. Sustained dysregulation of cortisol secretion can lead to significant clinical sequelae, including central adiposity, muscle wasting, and impaired glycemic control.