Hormone Health Hub: Expert Insights on Testing, Balance & Better Living — saliva cortisol testing

Thinning hair is more than a cosmetic concern — it is often a signal of something happening internally. From stress and cortisol to menopause, thyroid dysfunction, PCOS and nutritional deficiencies, hormones play a central role in hair health. Dr. Kate Placzek breaks down the science behind hormonal hair loss and what you can do about it.

Cortisol is your body’s primary stress hormone, produced by the adrenal glands in response to physical, mental and emotional stress. While it plays a vital role in energy metabolism, immune function and cardiovascular health, both chronically high and chronically low cortisol levels can cause significant health problems — from fatigue, weight gain and sleep disorders to burnout and adrenal exhaustion. This article explains what cortisol is, what happens when it goes wrong, and why regular testing matters.

A growing body of research suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction may lie at the root of many treatment-resistant mental health conditions — including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD and even dementia. In this clinical overview, Dr. Peter Bongiorno explains why neurons are particularly vulnerable to mitochondrial damage, how stress, heavy metals and hormonal imbalances compound the problem, and what a comprehensive 5-step repair plan looks like in practice.

Your adrenal glands are your body's frontline stress managers — producing cortisol, DHEA and adrenaline to keep you functioning under pressure. But when stress becomes chronic, these glands can fall out of balance, leading to fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, anxiety and more. Discover how adrenal hormones work, what imbalance looks like, and 10 evidence-based tips to restore balance.

Obesity is not simply a matter of calories in versus calories out. Chronic stress triggers a cascade of hormonal changes — elevated cortisol, depleted DHEA, disrupted leptin signalling and imbalanced sex hormones — that actively drive visceral fat storage and metabolic dysfunction. This article explains the biochemistry of stress-related weight gain and why understanding your hormone levels is key to breaking the cycle.