Post-workout cortisol

**Timmm** · 18-09-2011 05:35 PM

Just wanted to see if the more knowledgeable folk have any views on this.
I practise intermittent fasting, and have done for a year now, training early in the morning and eating first meal at 12.

My question is whether the potential cortisol release during/after the session is driving adaptation, or whether cortisol should always be kept as low as possible (i've been in a 'gaining' phase for around 14 months, and still need much more).
I was debating whether or not to buy phosphotidlyserine to go with my bcaa's PWO, but wondered whether, like the supplementation of antioxidants, this blunted some of the adaptive responses to training. Charles Poliquin speaks highly of Phosphotidylserine PWo, but then again he also preaches the 6 meals a day approach, so not all of what he says is something that I agree with.

Okay, 'tis all.
Thanks.

**NU_nutrition_TS** · 19-09-2011 08:42 AM

You may find the answers you seek here: More on cortisol in fat and muscle metabolism

**Timmm** · 19-09-2011 10:49 AM

Wow, great, thanks!

**Timmm** · 19-09-2011 11:03 AM

Havind read through that thread, and the links provided within, I would say i'm no closer to a decision of wther it's the right thing to do.
You stated that recovery might be impaired, but one of the other srticles reported a reduce in muscle soreness.
I would suggest that decreasing cortisol PWo would allow for the beneficial effect of GH (fat loss, protein sparing) to be seen without the down side of cortisol alongside of it.

**MiniHulk** · 19-09-2011 11:59 AM

Are you taking glutamine powder on an empty stomach upon waking? If not, get on it. Do you train in a fasted state? I put about 20g of BCAA in a 2 litre bottle of water with green tea extract and tyrosine and sip that pre, intra and post workout. I am finding it pretty effective.

I don't dabble with cortisol personally, I don't see the need, especially if you are gaining.

**Timmm** · 19-09-2011 01:38 PM

I dont take glutamine no, have done in the past though. I just stick with my BCAAs pre/post workout at the moment.

**MiniHulk** · 19-09-2011 04:51 PM

HGH and recovering from muscle injuries (using L-Glutamine)

**MiniHulk** · 19-09-2011 04:52 PM

Not just for injuries, but for a general increase in growth hormone.

**Wotan** · 19-09-2011 06:34 PM

Except that the guy is twenty and doesn't need it.

@timmm Don't worry about cortisol at your age. More than anything else make sure you are getting enough sleep. If you are still worried about cortisol then simply take some extra vitamin C.

**Timmm** · 19-09-2011 07:13 PM

Thanks Wotan, that's saved me pounds!
Perhaps it is a case of my thinking above and beyond that which I need to be concerned about right now. it's not that i've been experiencing problems, it was just that I wondered whether it was something that could give me that extra 10%, because let's face it everyone wants a little bit more.