What is the effect of cortisol on the body?

Cortisol, often referred to as the "stress hormone," plays a critical role in the body’s response to stress and has a wide range of effects on various physiological processes. One of the primary functions of cortisol is to reduce inflammation and modulate the immune response. It achieves this through several mechanisms, including inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines, suppressing the activation of immune cells, and reducing the overall immune response to prevent excessive tissue damage during stress.

While cortisol does have anti-inflammatory properties, its action is complex. In acute situations, cortisol is vital for maintaining homeostasis and protecting tissues by dampening excessive immune responses. However, prolonged elevated levels of cortisol can lead to an array of health issues, including immune suppression.

The other choices presented offer different effects that cortisol does not primarily mediate. For example, while insulin sensitivity can be influenced by various hormones, cortisol generally has the opposite effect, promoting insulin resistance, especially in prolonged stress situations. The production of thyroid hormones is largely regulated by other factors, such as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid-releasing hormone (TRH), not directly by cortisol. Additionally, cortisol can indeed lead to weight gain and fat storage, particularly when present in high levels over