Cortisol

The cortisol level may show problems with the adrenal or pituitary glands, as cortisol is made by the adrenal gland. Cortisol levels go up when the pituitary gland releases another hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)5.

Cortisol has many functions. It helps the body use sugar (glucose) and fat for energy, and it helps the body manage stress. Cortisol levels can be affected by many conditions, such as physical or emotional stress, strenuous activity, infection, or injury5.

Normally, cortisol levels rise during the early morning hours and are highest at approximately 7 am. They drop very low in the evening and during the early phase of sleep4,5. However, if you sleep during the day and are up at night this pattern may be reversed. Cortisol regulates energy by selecting the right type and amount of substrate (carbohydrate, fat, or protein) that is needed by the body to meet physiological demands. Cortisol mobilises energy by tapping into the body’s fat stores (in the form of triglycerides) and moving it from one location to another, or delivering it to hungry tissues, such as working muscle. Under stressful conditions, cortisol can provide the body with protein for energy production through gluconeogenesis, the process of converting amino acids into useable carbohydrate (glucose) in the liver. Additionally, it can move fat from storage depots and relocate it to fat cell deposits deep in the abdomen6. Cortisol also aids adipocytes (baby fat cells) to grow up into mature fat cells. Finally, cortisol may act as an anti-inflammatory agent, suppressing the immune system during times of physical and psychological stress.

Cortisol directly affects fat storage and weight gain in stressed individuals. Tissue cortisol concentrations are controlled by a specific enzyme that converts inactive cortisone to active cortisol. This particular enzyme is located in adipose (fat) tissue7. Studies with human visceral fat (fat surrounding the stomach and intestines) and subcutaneous fat tissue have demonstrated that the gene for this enzyme is expressed more by obese people7. It has also been demonstrated in research that human visceral fat cells have more of these enzymes compared to subcutaneous fat cells6. Therefore, higher levels of these enzymes in deep fat cells surrounding the abdomen may lead to obesity due to greater amounts of cortisol being produced at the tissue level. Furthermore, Hans Selye, a stress physiologist of the 20th century defined stress as ‘the nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it’8. Richard Lazarus, a highly regarded psychologist adds that stress is, ‘Any event in which environmental demands, internal demands, or both, tax or exceed the adaptive resources of an individual, social system, or tissue system’8.

Stress

Figure 2 The amethyst negative ion Bio-Mat

Figure 2 The amethyst negative ion Bio-Mat

In many societies stress is a common term that is often associated with negative situations and settings. Yet a stress-free life may also be harmful, because an individual will lose his/her ability to react to the different challenges of life. Every person has an optimal positive stress level referred to as eustress, while stress that is harmful is noted to be distress.

People can react to stress in different ways. For instance, if an individual perceives the stressor as a challenge to his/her control of a situation, noradrenaline, the ‘fight’ hormone, is predominantly released. And, if the stress arousal increases and a possible loss of control is felt by the individual, then adrenaline, another ‘flight/anxiety’ hormone is released. When the stress is prolonged and seen as hopeless, the individual becomes more distressed and feels defeated. This activates the hypothalamus in the brain. What follows is a cascade of hormonal pathways resulting in the final release of cortisol from the adrenal cortex of the kidney.

The brain has the ability to selectively activate the fight, flight, or defeat responses8. This usually occurs in day-to-day living when an individual perceives a situation as a challenge to control or a loss of control. Although the stress pathways work together, they can each uniquely affect the function of bodily processes. For instance, the ‘fight’ or ‘flight’ stress responses cause the heart to beat faster and harder, as well as release more free-fatty acids (disassembled triglycerides) into the blood. The ‘defeat’ response stress pathway can lead to enhanced lipogenesis (fat creation), visceral obesity (deep abdominal obesity), breakdown of tissues, and suppression of the immune system9,10.

Conclusions

As shown from the results of this case study, the Bio‑Mat/BioBelt has a synergistic effect and has resulted in both stress and pain reduction. Weight reduction for the 12 subjects was achieved through reducing cortisol, the stress hormone, and increasing serotonin and endorphins known as the happy chemicals in the brain.

The far‑infrared Bio‑Mat and BioBelt increases blood circulation and oxygen supply to damaged tissues (aiding reduction of chronic joint and muscle pain or sport injuries), promotes relaxation and comfort, induces sleep, and relieves stress as shown in the case study.

Recently there have been reports detailing the hazards of exposure to certain kinds of electromagnetic fields, such as those from high-tension power lines, cell phones, or from computer display terminals. Far-infrared heating systems have been tested in Japan and found free of toxic electromagnetic fields. The Swedish Radiation Protection Institute has also concluded that infrared heaters are not dangerous. Rather, Japanese researchers have reported that far-infrared radiant heat antidotes the negative effects of toxic electromagnetic sources.

Further research is needed to clarify the synergistic effect of using the Bio-Mat/BioBelt in a number of biological functions, including the reduction of pain, stress, weight, increased libido, and overall sense of wellbeing owing to increased serotonin, as well as gamma‑aminobutyric acid (GABA) and other essential neurotransmitters responsible for better sleep and reducing depression and overall stress.