Cortisol and insulin have an antagonistic relationship: cortisol generally opposes the actions of insulin.
Cortisol, often called the "stress hormone," plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels. However, it can disrupt the balance maintained by insulin. Here's a breakdown of their interaction:
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Cortisol inhibits insulin secretion: Cortisol can directly suppress the release of insulin from the pancreas. This means less insulin is available to help glucose enter cells.
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Cortisol promotes insulin resistance: Cortisol can interfere with insulin signaling, making cells less responsive to insulin. This is known as insulin resistance, where cells require more insulin than normal to achieve the same effect of glucose uptake.
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Cortisol stimulates glucagon secretion: Cortisol encourages the release of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar levels by promoting the breakdown of glycogen (stored glucose) in the liver. This further counteracts insulin's efforts to lower blood sugar.
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Cortisol reduces GLP-1 production: Cortisol impacts the incretin pathway by reducing GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) production. GLP-1 stimulates insulin secretion; therefore, less GLP-1 also reduces insulin secretion.
In essence, cortisol's actions tend to increase blood sugar levels, working against insulin's primary function of lowering them. Prolonged or excessive cortisol exposure can contribute to insulin resistance and, over time, increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
