Have you looked in the mirror recently and not recognised the person looking back? Cortisol , the hormone designed to control inflammation in our bodies, could be to blame. At normal levels, of course, it's absolutely essential. Holistic nutritionist and author Beatriz Larrea explains that the anti-inflammatory hormone, which initially rises in the morning when we wake up, is "our friend". "It helps us get out of bed with energy and get our day started efficiently," she says. The problem arises, though, when levels skyrocket due to chronic stress or other factors, spiking our cortisol levels with it. "Our bodies aren't built for that," she notes, "and it starts a domino effect of health problems."

High cortisol: What it does to your face and body

What are those health dominoes that

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