Stress, Cortisol & Your Bones

Updated: February 19, 2026

A survival system once meant for life-or-death danger is now firing at everyday pressures –– with consequences for your sleep, your metabolism, and even your bones.

Your body’s stress response wasn’t designed to cope with the 21st century. It evolved 50,000 years ago to do one thing exceptionally well: keep you alive in a moment of real, physical danger. A rustle in the bushes. A predator closing in. A split-second surge of cortisol to help you sprint, fight, or survive. And then, just as quickly, the system shut down and your body returned to calm.

Modern life doesn’t allow that reset. The threats have changed, but your biology hasn’t. When a mechanism built for saber-toothed tigers is forced to respond to traffic, deadlines, and non-stop notifications, it stays switched on far longer than it was ever meant to.

And persistently high cortisol doesn’t just fray your nerves. It disrupts your sleep. It disturbs your metabolism. And over time, it weakens your bones.

That’s why AlgaeCal’s Lara Pizzorno sat down with Dr. Michael Murray, one of the world’s leading authorities on natural medicine, to unpack what chronic stress really does inside the body. How elevated cortisol interferes with restorative sleep. How it reshapes metabolism. How it accelerates bone loss and undermines long-term strength. And, crucially, what you can do, starting now, to break that cycle.

Here’s what you’ll discover inside this must-watch conversation:

  • The “healthy snack” habit that floods your system with cortisol all day long.
  • Why one color on your plate may be the single most important anti-stress signal your brain receives.
  • The breathing mistake that keeps your body braced for danger (and the fix that reverses it instantly.)
  • The emotional shortcut that can outperform meditation in 20 seconds or less.
  • The sleep-pill paradox that keeps your brain exhausted even when you “sleep through the night.”
  • How a single moment of awe can work wonders for your immune system.
  • The trace mineral deficiency that keeps millions anxious, restless, and wired — and the bedtime dose that finally lets the system stand down.
  • And much more


If stress has started to feel “normal” to you, this conversation will help you see what’s really going on beneath the surface – and give you practical, natural ways to protect your energy, your mood, and your bones.

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  • The latest bone health research most doctors don’t have time to explain.
  • Expert insights you won’t find anywhere else.
  • Step-by-step bone-building strategies you can start using tonight.
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Article Comments

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  1. Ruth Miller

    February 7, 2026 , 8:05 am

    I had ordered AlgieCal a while back but have not received it yet. Please check your records. I am having to take regular calcium until I get this.

    Ruth Miller

  2. Yoori AlgaeCal

    February 9, 2026 , 6:19 pm

    So sorry to hear that, Ruth — that’s definitely not the experience we want for you!

    We’ll be reaching out to you by email shortly to look into your order and help get this sorted, so please keep an eye on your inbox.
    – Yoori

  3. Carolyn

    February 7, 2026 , 4:18 pm

    I have adrenal failure due to 40 years of low dose steroid use. All the research I find online is for too much cortisol. Are there any ways to increase cortisol?

  4. Yoori AlgaeCal

    February 9, 2026 , 6:36 pm

    Hi Carolyn, thank you for reaching out. 💚 I’m really sorry you’re dealing with that — and you’re right that most online info focuses on high cortisol.

    If you have any questions about how this may relate to your bone health, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 1-800-820-0184 (USA & Canada, toll-free) or email [email protected]. We are happy to help!
    – Yoori

  5. Leslie

    February 8, 2026 , 9:56 am

    Hi is it possible to be able to read the transcript of this interview? Thanks

  6. Yoori AlgaeCal

    February 9, 2026 , 6:39 pm

    Great question, Leslie! 😊 Yes, absolutely — you can read the transcript directly on YouTube HERE.

    From there, you can either turn on CC (subtitles) while watching, or click “Show transcript” (in the description box under the video) to read the full transcript.

    Hope that helps!
    – Yoori

  7. Annemarie B Lafreniere

    February 9, 2026 , 1:31 pm

    Is it possible to get a printout in email.
    I’m profoundly deaf and due to snow and freezing, cannot get to my audiologist to repair my hearing aids until next week.
    This is a subject that I need to know about.
    Thank you! Annemarie B. Lafreniere

  8. Darlene Dixon

    February 10, 2026 , 7:27 pm

    After watching Dr. Murray, I’m feeling hopeful. I’ve been diagnosed with high cortisol but no professional advice on how to manage it. Please continue with more articles/videos on treating high cortisol.

  9. Coral

    February 11, 2026 , 10:11 am

    We’re so sorry to hear that you’re dealing with high cortisol, Darlene. That can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re not given clear guidance on how to manage it.

    We’re so glad to hear that Dr. Murray’s video left you feeling hopeful and informed. 💛 I’ll absolutely be sure to pass your feedback along to our team — we love hearing what topics our community wants to learn more about.

    In the meantime, please know we’re cheering you on as you continue looking for the right support for your health journey.
    – Coral

  10. Beverly Zeigler

    February 18, 2026 , 6:05 am

    I’ve been taking the algaecal strontium boost pack for almost a year ,in April, I have been experiencing ALOT of pain in both shoulders and left hip low back on left side..an aching pain like a tooth ache for several months now. I have loved the product but wondering if my cortisol levels are off ? My stress level is definitely high this past year how do I find out I’m waking up every night and living on aleve to be able to sleep at all. During the day I don’t experience it as much

  11. Coral

    February 18, 2026 , 11:08 am

    Hi Beverly,

    I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve been experiencing this kind of pain — that sounds incredibly uncomfortable, especially with it affecting your sleep.

    We don’t expect AlgaeCal Plus or Strontium Boost to cause shoulder, hip, or low back pain. Both products are natural and were shown to have no adverse side effects in our clinical studies. That said, everyone’s body is different, and it’s always important to listen to what yours is telling you.

    Given the type of pain you’re describing — especially since it’s been persistent for several months — we would strongly encourage checking in with your healthcare provider.

    In the meantime, you’re welcome to share our Doctor Information Sheet with your practitioner so they have full details on what you’re taking:
    https://algaecal.info/3QYE0mB

    If you’d like, our Bone Health Consultants would also be happy to talk this through with you and review your full supplement schedule to see if any adjustments make sense. We can be reached at 1-800-820-0184 (USA & Canada toll-free) or by emailing us at [email protected].

    We truly care about your comfort and well-being, Beverly, and we’re here to support you however we can.
    – Coral

This article features advice based on cutting-edge research from our industry experts to give you the best possible information to support your bone-building journey.

Lara Pizzorno
MDiv, MA, LMT - Best-selling author of Healthy Bones Healthy You! and Your Bones; Editor of Longevity Medicine Review, and Senior Medical Editor for Integrative Medicine Advisors.,
Dr. Liz Lipski
PhD, CNS, FACN, IFMP, BCHN, LDN - Professor and Director of Academic Development, Nutrition programs in Clinical Nutrition at Maryland University of Integrative Health.,
Dr. Emma Gasinski
PT, DPT, RYT - Physical therapist and certified yoga teacher with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professionals,
Dr. Lawrence (Larry) A. May
MD, FACP, Harvard Medical School Graduate, Physician, Author, Public Speaker - Doctor of Internal Medicine at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center and author of several articles and books, including the widely utilized and best selling medical textbook Primary Care Medicine,