Top 5 Cortisol Blockers: Reduce Stress & Improve Your Performance

While cortisol can be helpful to some degree in short bursts, chronic stress can cause cortisol levels to remain high which can lead to undesired effects such as increased inflammation, reduced immune function, and even muscle loss. To combat this, there are supplements that are designed to help lower or inhibit cortisol. 

In this blog, we will be taking a closer look at our top 5 cortisol inhibiting supplements and ranking them by their potency and effectiveness.

The Role of Cortisol

Cortisol is a hormone that plays a crucial role in the body's response to stress. It is released by the adrenal glands in response to stress, which can include anything from physical exertion or exercise to emotional stress. 

High cortisol levels can have a massive impact on your health and can lead to a number of undesirable effects such as:

• Increased inflammation
• Reduced immune function
• Muscle loss
• Increased fat storage
• Increased blood pressure
• Decreased bone density
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Depression

By reducing cortisol, you can help mitigate these negative effects and improve your overall health while optimizing your performance in the gym.

Top 5 Cortisol Blockers

1. Corti Combat by Assault Labs

Corti Combat by Assault Labs is currently our highest ranking and most comprehensive cortisol blocking formula available to date. It is designed to help reduce stress, enhance your performance in the gym, decrease fatigue, and promote relaxation.

Key Ingredients of Corti Combat:

• Ginger Root Extract
• Ashwagandha extract
• Rhodiola Root
• Green Tea Extract
• Phosphatidylserine
• 7-alpha-hydroxy-dhea
• 7-beta-hydroxy-dhea
• Cordyceps Sinesis

Key Benefits of Corti Combat:

• Decreased stress hormones
• Reduced anxiety
• Improved energy and endurance
• Supports lean muscle
• Decreased fatigue
• Helps optimize testosterone levels
• Helps combat aging
• Aids in restoring adrenal function
• Can help reduce inflammation
• Improves the quality of your sleep

Corti Combat FAQs:

Q: How often should I take Corti Combat?

A: It is suggested to take 3 capsules per day split into 3 separate servings. One capsule with breakfast, one with lunch about 4 hours later, and lastly one with dinner or at night time before bed. Assault Labs suggests discontinuing Corti Combat after 6 weeks of use.

Q: Can I take Corti Combat with other supplements? 

A: Yes, Corti Combat can safely be stacked with other supplements as long as there are no overlapping ingredients or ingredients that are known to have adverse effects when combined. Its generally safe to stack it with just about any general fitness supplement such as protein, amino acids, creatine, pre/post-workout, fat burners, testosterone boosters, natural anabolics, etc.

2. Lean Xtreme by Driven Sports

Coming in at number 2, Lean Xtreme by Driven Sports is a powerful cortisol blocker that is designed to help promote fat loss and preserve lean muscle mass while lowering stress and anxiety.

Key Ingredients of Lean Xtreme:

• Green Tea Extract
• Phosphatidylserine
• Coleus Forskohlii Extract (Forskolin)
• 7b-hydroxy,17b-dihydro-dhea (5-AT)
• Chinese Salvia Extract

Key Benefits of Lean Xtreme:

• Supports fat loss
• Helps prevent muscle loss
• Optimizes hormonal balance
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Helps restore adrenal function
• Reduces soreness and inflammation
• Aids in decreasing fatigue
• Promotes a deeper and more restful sleep
• Provides a clean, non-stimulant based energy boost

Lean Xtreme FAQs:

Q: What is the suggested use for Lean Xtreme? 

A: Driven Sports suggests taking 3 capsules per day (one in the morning with breakfast, one capsule about 4 hours later with lunch, and lastly one capsule at night time before bed.

Q: Is it safe to stack Lean Xtreme with other supplements? 

A: Yes, Lean Xtreme can safely be used in conjunction with other general fitness supplements such as protein powders, aminos, creatine, pre or post-workout, test boosters, fat burners, natural muscle building supplements, etc..

3. Reduce XT by SNS

Reduce XT by SNS is a potent cortisol blocker that is designed to help reduce stress and promote relaxation. 

Key Ingredients of Reduce XT:

• 7-alpha-hydroxy-dehydroepiandrosterone
• 7-beta-hydroxy-dehydroepiandrosterone

Key Benefits of Reduce XT:

• Helps accelerate fat loss
• Helps support lean muscle
• Aids in improving strength and endurance
• Helps preserve muscle mass while cutting
• Reduces anxiety and stress
• Promotes a more positive hormonal balance

Reduce XT FAQs

Q: What is the suggested use for Reduce XT? 

A: SNS suggests taking 1 to 2 capsules up to 2 to 3 times per day. For best results, its suggested to take one serving upon waking, one serving 4 hours later (about 30 to 60 minutes prior to training), and one serving before bedtime. Each bottle provides a 30 day supply at 3 capsules per day.

Q: Are there any risks of side effects when using Reduce XT? 

A: Reduce XT is generally safe for most users however some individuals may experience some mild side effects such as nausea, bloating, or gas. 

4. Invictus by Iron Legion

Invictus by Iron Legion is a unique topical cortisol blocking agent that is designed to help support fat loss, decrease muscle wasting, reduce inflammation, and improve muscular endurance. 

Key Ingredients of Invictus:

• Beta Androstenetriol 

Key Benefits of Invictus: 

• Fat loss support 
• Helps balance and optimize hormones 
• Helps prevent muscle loss / muscle wasting 
• Reduces inflammation and soreness 
• Improves immune response 
• Enhances endurance and strength 

Invictus FAQs:

Q: What is the suggested dose for Invictus? 

A: Using the included dropper, apply .5 ml topically twice a day (.5 ml in the morning, .5 ml in the evening). Best areas of application include: chest, shoulders, inner arms, upper back, and neck/clavicle region. 

Q: What's the best way to improve absorption and delivery when using Invictus? 

A: It is best to apply Invictus to areas with the least amount of body hair and with the thinnest layers of skin in order for the active ingredients to most effectively be passed through the skin barrier. Applying it after a warm shower or bath helps improve absorption as your pores will be clear of any excess body oils and will in turn be more receptive.

5. Suppress-C by Xtreme Performance Gels

Suppress-C by Xtreme Performance Gels is a super convenient and easy to use cortisol blocker that comes in a gel form. It is designed to help reduce stress and promote relaxation. 

Key Ingredients of Suppress-C:

• Phosphatidylserine: A phospholipid that has been shown to help reduce cortisol levels and improve cognitive function.
• GABA: An amino acid that has been shown to promote relaxation and reduce stress.
• L-Theanine: An amino acid that has been shown to promote relaxation and reduce stress.

Key Benefits of Suppress-C:

• Decreased stress hormones
• Improved sleep
• Helps reduce anxiety/stress

Suppress-C FAQs:

Q: What is the suggested use for Suppress-C ?

A: XPG suggests applying 2 ml (2 pumps) to the skin twice a day. Applications should be spaced out about 8 to 12 hours apart. Best areas to apply include inner arms, inner thighs, upper torso, or on the tops of feet.

Q: How long can I use Suppress-C before having to cycle off? 

A: The suggested cycle duration for Suppress-C may vary depending on individual needs and goals. However, it is generally suggested to cycle off of Suppress-C after 8 to 12 weeks of continuous use.

Written and Sponsored by Leonard Shemtob

Leonard Shemtob is President of Strong Supplements. Leonard has been in the supplement space for over 20 years, specializing in fitness supplements and nutrition. Leonard has written over 100 articles about supplements and has studied nutrition, supplementation and bodybuilding. Leonard enjoys weight training, playing basketball and yoga, and also enjoys hiking. In his free time he studies and works on improving himself. His personal blog is www.leonardshemtob.com

References:

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• Wu, J., & Xia, C. (2015). Rhodiola rosea L. improves fatigue by enhancing the mitochondrial respiratory chain activity in human skeletal muscle. BioMedResearch International, 2015.
• Liu, X., Zhou, H., & Jiang, H. (2018). Forskolin and its derivatives as potential therapeutic agents. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 28(17), 2937-2942.
• Kelly, G. S. (1999). Nutritional and botanical interventions to assist with the adaptation to stress. Alternative Medicine Review, 4(4), 249-265.