CortiTrax™ Natural Cortisol Blocker
Powerful Adaptogens & Natural Stress Fighters

The Importance of Cortisol Balance for Health

Cortisol is an important glucocorticoid hormone produced in the body by the adrenal glands. It is correlated to our body’s circadian and diurnal rhythms and its release plays a critical role in the waking up process [1]. It is also released under stressful situations such as in the fight or flight response, during extreme exercise (such as heavy resistance training or long distance running), and in athletic and non-athletic human competition [2].

Its secretion naturally peaks in the morning when we wake up and then steadily declines throughout the day. The main biological role of cortisol is to restore hormonal balances following exposure to stressful situations. 

Cortisol plays a major role in glycogenolysis. It is created from cholesterol by cytochrome P450 enzymes in the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex. Upon its release, cortisol elevates glucose levels and activates gluconeogenesis in the blood by blocking the effects of insulin. 

Although cortisol release leads to higher blood sugar levels, it also helps to balance glucose levels through stimulating glycogen synthesis in the liver (which has the effect of lowering net sugar levels). Thus cortisol plays a critical role in maintaining a healthy balance of glucose in the body. 

Cortisol is controlled by the release of ACTH, which itself is stimulated by corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) release in the hypothalamus. Once cortisol is released a feedback signal from the adrenal gland to the hypothalamus occurs. This blocks the release of CRH, and thus stops future stimulus of the hormones release in the adrenals. 

The release of cortisol has many positive benefits for human health, and is important to manage for both bodybuilders and stressed out soccer moms alike. A small increase in levels of the hormone facilitates a burst of energy for the fight or flight survival response, it is involved in overall homeostasis, it can help to heighten memory function, and helps to support immune and nervous system responses.

Unfortunately, cortisol levels may not return to normal healthy levels – and remain elevated – due to the body not correctly activating its relaxation response mechanisms. 

Elevated cortisol levels can have numerous detrimental effects on human health. High levels of cortisol in the blood may lead to poor cognitive performance, decreases in bone and muscle mass, poor regulation of blood pressure, poor healing and immune responses, suppression of thyroid function, and imbalances in blood glucose levels. 

Maintaining a healthy cortisol level is of utmost importance for athletes, for men and women who partake in weight training workouts, and in the elderly as high levels are associated with muscle loss and weakness [3]. Indeed, an increase in cortisol concentration following acute exercise has been reported to impair muscle strength performance [4–7]. This may especially be a problem for bodybuilders and athletes as short term high-intensity training (HIT) and acidosis are reported to induce cortisol and human growth hormone [8]. 

The VitaMonk CortiTrax product contains an array of herbs that are rich in bioactives reported to help block cortisol hormone release. The core ingredients of our VitaMonk CortiTrax Cortisol Blocker are:

Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)

This herb is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine. As an adaptogen supplement, it is thought to help support adrenal health and aid in the response to stress. 

As stress is known to stimulate the release of cortisol, it is important to keep it under control as best as possible. 

The main bioactives found in Ashwagandha include steroidal lactones such as withaferin, withanone, withanolides and withanosides, catechins, β-sitosterol, polysaccharides, and various acids.

Constituents of Ashwagandha are reported to interact with numerous hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, follicle stimulating hormone, thyroid hormone, luteinizing hormone, and the corticosteroids 

When stressed rats and mice are given a supplement of the glycosides found in Ashwagandha there is a notable reduction of cortisol in their serum [9]. It has been reported that the supplementation with Ashwagandha may support a reduction of cortisol levels in humans by as much as 50% [10]. 

Holy Basil (Tulsi)

This herb is often used for the support of libido in Ayurveda medicine. It may also help to support general well being and fertility. 

The main active compounds in the adaptogen Holy Basil (Ocimum Spp.) include ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, ocimarin, ocimimosides, eugenol, and various bio-flavonols [11, 12].

Its use has been reported to support against stress [13] and to support the body’s response to anxiety. 

Rhodiola Rosea

Also known as Aaron’s rod and Golden root. This herb has long been used in traditional Chinese, Russian and Scandinavian medicines to offer support in stressful situations, such as exposure to extreme cold temperatures [14].

The plant is an adaptogen and is also thought to support healthy aging [15].

Its main biologically active components include tyrosol, β-sitosterol, Benzyl-O-β-glycopyranoside, rosavins, and viridoside [16]. 

Sunflower Oil Phosphatidylserine

Sunflower Oil is a rich source of both mono and polyunsaturated acids. Phosphatidylserine is included in this product as it may help with the support of stress, fatigue, cognition, and memory.

Phosphatidylserine supplementation has been reported to support stress and cortisol levels in healthy people. This phospholipid has been reported to play a role in hormonal response following resistance training, and to improve mood and cognitive function [17]. It may also help to limit the natural increases in cortisol and ACTH that occur during exercise, thus acting as cortisol blockers [18]. 

Magnolia Bark (Hou Po)

Magnolia is a deciduous tree native to China. Its bark is used in traditional Chinese medicine for the support of relaxation. The bark is rich in compounds such as magnolol and honokiol, and contains numerous alkaloids [19]. 

The neolignans found in Magnolia are reported to support against increased corticosterone levels, to support against feeling stressed, and to enhance mood in rodents [20]. A small pilot study suggested that magnolia extracts may help to support the response to anxiety in women [21]. 

Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma Longifolia) 

This plant is a native to Southeast Asia, where its root is used in traditional local medications as a health tonic. It is a rich source of quassinoids such as eurycomanone, glycosaponins, and eurycolactones [22].

It is reported to support weightlifting performance in men. The small pilot study suggested that it might support loss of body fat and to increase the size and strength of muscle [23]. When Eurycoma longifolia supplements were provided to mice, support of anxiety was observed [24]. 

Banaba Leaf (Lagerstroemia) 

This plant leaf is widely used for its support of glucose regulation and as a muscle builder. 

Its key bioactive compounds include valoneaic acid dilactone, corosolic acid, lagerstroemin and other ellagitannin, and triterpenoids [25]. 

Ginkgo Biloba

This tree is commonly used in dietary supplements as it is thought to help enhance cognition and act as a nootropic.

The main bioactive compounds found in Ginkgo biloba include Bilobalide, Gingkolides. Ginkgolic acids, and carboxylic acids [26] 

An extract from Ginko (EGb 761) has been reported to support the release of cortisol under stressful situations and to support healthier blood pressure levels [27]. 

Further Reading

• Harvard Medical School: Why stress causes people to overeat: its effects on fat and sugar cravings, differences in gender responses, and advice on how to overcome stress [https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/why-stress-causes-people-to-overeat] 
• Michigan State University Extension: Cortisol: The stress hormone [http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/cortisol_the_stress_hormone] 
• Dartmouth College: The Physiology of Stress (Neurochemistry [http://dujs.dartmouth.edu/2011/02/the-physiology-of-stress-cortisol-and-the-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis/#.WYFWpf-GMy4]
• Mayo Clinic: Can Cortisol blockers help me lose weight [http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/expert-answers/cortisol-blockers/faq-20058132]

Citations, Reviews, Abstracts and Scientific References 

[1] Stalder et al. Assessment of the cortisol awakening response: Expert consensus guidelines. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2016 Jan;63:414-32. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.10.010.

[2] Casto and Edwards. Testosterone, cortisol, and human competition. Horm Behav. 2016 Jun;82:21-37. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.04.004. 

[3] Peeters et al. The relationship between cortisol, muscle mass and muscle strength in older persons and the role of genetic variations in the glucocorticoid receptor. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2008 Oct;69(4):673-82. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2008.03212.x

[4] Grandys et al. The importance of the training-induced decrease in basal cortisol concentration in the improvement in muscular performance in humans. Physiol Res. 2016;65(1):109-20.

[5] Kraemer et al. Changes in creatine kinase and cortisol in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I American football players during a season. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2013 Feb;27(2):434-41. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e318281d1b0.

[6] Crewther and Christian. Relationships between salivary testosterone and cortisol concentrations and training performance in Olympic weightlifters. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2010 Sep;50(3):371-5.

[7] Fry and Lohnes. Acute testosterone and cortisol responses to high power resistance exercise. Fiziol Cheloveka. 2010 Jul-Aug;36(4):102-6.

[8] Wahl et al. Effect of high- and low-intensity exercise and metabolic acidosis on levels of GH, IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and cortisol. Growth Horm IGF Res. 2010 Oct;20(5):380-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ghir.2010.08.001.

[9] Doctor Khan et al. Augmentation and proliferation of T lymphocytes and Th-1 cytokines by Withania somnifera in stressed mice. Int Immunopharmacol. 2006 Sep;6(9):1394-403. 

[10] Dr Auddy et al. A Standardized Withania Somnifera Extract Significantly Reduces Stress-Related Parameters in Chronically Stressed Humans: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. 2008 JANA Vol 11. No.1. 

[11] Prakash and Gupta. Therapeutic uses of Ocimum sanctum Linn (Tulsi) with a note on eugenol and its pharmacological actions: a short review. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2005 Apr;49(2):125-31.

[12] Seth et al. Antispermatogenic effect of Ocimum sanctum. Indian J Exp Biol. 1981 Oct;19(10):975-6. 

[13] Bhargava and Singh. Anti-stress activity of Ocimum sanctum Linn. Indian J Med Res. 1981 Mar;73:443-51.

[14] Darbinyan et al. Rhodiola rosea in stress induced fatigue--a double blind cross-over study of a standardized extract SHR-5 with a repeated low-dose regimen on the mental performance of healthy physicians during night duty. Phytomedicine. 2000 Oct;7(5):365-71. 

[15] Jafari et al. Rhodiola: a promising anti-aging Chinese herb. Rejuvenation Res. 2007 Dec;10(4):587-602.

[16] Yousef et al. Comparative phytochemical characterization of three Rhodiola species. Phytochemistry. 2006 Nov;67(21):2380-91. 

[17] Parker et al. The effects of IQPLUS Focus on cognitive function, mood and endocrine response before and following acute exercise. J Int Soc Sports Nutrition. 2011 Oct 21;8:16. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-8-16. 

[18] Monteleone et al. Effects of phosphatidylserine on the neuroendocrine response to physical stress in humans. Neuroendocrinology. 1990 Sep;52(3):243-8.

[19] yan et al. Studies on the alkaloids of the bark of Magnolia officinalis: isolation and on-line analysis by HPLC-ESI-MS(n). Molecules. 2013 Jul 3;18(7):7739-50. doi: 10.3390/molecules18077739. 

[20] Xu et al. Antidepressant-like effects of the mixture of honokiol and magnolol from the barks of Magnolia officinalis in stressed rodents. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2008 Apr 1;32(3):715-25.

[21] Kalman et al. Effect of a proprietary Magnolia and Phellodendron extract on stress levels in healthy women: a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Nutr J. 2008 Apr 21;7:11. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-7-11. 

[22]Miyake et al. Quassinoids from Eurycoma longifolia. J Nat Prod. 2009 Dec;72(12):2135-40. doi: 10.1021/np900486f.

[23] Hamzah and Yusof. The ergogenic effects of eurycoma longifolia jack: a pilot study. Abstract available online at http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/37/5/464.full

[24] Ang and Cheang. Studies on the anxiolytic activity of Eurycoma longifolia Jack roots in mice. Jpn J Pharmacol. 1999 Apr;79(4):497-500.

[25] Hou et al. Triterpene acids isolated from Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves as alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. Phytother Res. 2009 May;23(5):614-8. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2661. 

[26] EGb 761: ginkgo biloba extract, Ginkor. Drugs R D. 2003;4(3):188-93. 

[27] Jezova et al. Reduction of rise in blood pressure and cortisol release during stress by Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) in healthy volunteers. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2002 Sep;53(3):337-48.