how does stress affect cortisol levels?
<answer> Every time that you are confronted with a stressful situation your body undergoes a fight or flight response and cortisol levels increase. <context> Cortisol functions to reduce inflammation in the body, which is good, but over time, these efforts to reduce inflammation also suppress the immune system. Chronic inflammation, caused by lifestyle factors such as poor diet and stress, helps to keep cortisol levels soaring, wreaking havoc on the immune system.