Blood Sugar & Stress Quiz
Test your knowledge of the blood sugar and stress module. Review the previous lesson if you need a refresher before taking this quiz.
Test Your Knowledge
1. What is the primary biological purpose of cortisol?
The main biological purpose of stress hormones like cortisol is to maintain blood glucose homeostasis -- ensuring there is enough glucose in your blood to keep you alive.
2. What happens to digestion when the body is in a sympathetic (fight or flight) state?
In the sympathetic nervous system state, overall digestion and GI motility slows down to divert energy to the muscles and other parts of the body needed for survival.
3. What is the 'pregnenolone steal' (cortisol steal)?
When the body goes into making stress hormones, it stops making other adrenal hormones including testosterone, estrogen, pregnenolone, progesterone, and DHEA. The body prioritizes stress hormones over hormones you need to thrive.
4. Which of the following is an adaptogenic herb that can help stabilize stress hormone output?
Adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha, rhodiola, schisandra, cordyceps, licorice root, and holy basil can help stabilize stress hormone output and support the HPA Axis.
5. What is the HPA Axis?
The HPA Axis (Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal) is the communication route of stress from the brain to the adrenal glands. The hypothalamus senses a stressor and sends a message to the pituitary gland to order stress hormones from the adrenals.