India, July 22 -- "Cortisol" has become one of the biggest buzzwords in the wellness world, with social media full of tips on how to lower it in the name of better health. But despite its reputation as the "stress hormone", cortisol isn't something your body is trying to get rid of - it's a hormone you need to survive. The real issue isn't cortisol itself, but when chronic stress keeps it elevated for longer than it's meant to be.

Dr Manan Vora, a Mumbai-based orthopaedic surgeon, health educator and co-founder of NutriByte Wellness, is breaking down the vital role cortisol plays in regulating metabolism. In an Instagram video shared on July 19, he explains why this stress hormone is essential for the body and when its effects can begin ...