What is the impact of cortisol on glucose metabolism?

Cortisol plays a significant role in glucose metabolism, primarily by increasing blood glucose levels. It achieves this through several mechanisms.

Firstly, cortisol promotes gluconeogenesis, the process where the liver generates glucose from non-carbohydrate sources such as amino acids and glycerol. This increases the amount of available glucose in the bloodstream, which is crucial during times of stress or fasting when the body needs additional energy.

Secondly, cortisol decreases the uptake of glucose by certain tissues, particularly muscle and adipose (fat) tissue. This action ensures that more glucose remains available in the blood for vital functions, particularly for the brain, which relies heavily on glucose as its primary energy source.

Additionally, cortisol influences the breakdown of glycogen (the stored form of glucose) in the liver, releasing more glucose into circulation as needed.

This multifaceted approach by cortisol is vital for maintaining energy homeostasis, particularly in response to stress situations. Therefore, the impact of cortisol is an increase in blood glucose levels, affirming that the correct answer is indeed that cortisol increases blood glucose.