You’ve probably met them. You know the type: people who look ten years younger than their age, full of energy, glowing skin, and bouncing out of bed with zero effort. And then there are others (maybe even you) who feel like they’re dragging their body through mud by 3 p.m., spotting new fine lines every time they pass a mirror, and wondering when their knees started creaking like an old staircase.
In my experience as a functional medicine physician, the question “Why do some people age faster than others?” has less to do with luck or great genes and more to do with something far less glamorous: hormonal wear and tear.
Now, when I say “hormones,” most people instantly think of periods, menopause, or testosterone supplements at the gym. But hormones go far beyond reproductive health. They are the biological conductors of every major system in your body. From your energy, brain function, skin elasticity, and muscle tone, to how quickly you recover from stress and even how gracefully (or not) you age.
So today, let’s pull back the curtain on how imbalanced hormones, especially chronic high cortisol and low DHEA (both of which can fast-track biological aging), and what you can do to press pause, or at least slow down the tape.
You’re not just tired.
You might be aging faster—internally—and not even know it.
Hormones: The Hidden Drivers of Youth (or Aging)
When it comes to hormones, an analogy I like to use is that hormones are your body’s internal WiFi. When the signal is strong and stable, everything runs smoothly. But when it’s weak or constantly dropping out? You get poor energy, glitches in metabolism, mood instability, and a whole lot of “what is happening to my skin?” moments.
Hormones like cortisol, DHEA, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, insulin, and thyroid hormones all play a role in how we age. But two of the biggest players when it comes to how fast you age biologically (not just chronologically) are cortisol and DHEA, a pair I like to call the “stress vs. resilience duo.”
1. Cortisol: The Double-Edged Sword of Aging
Cortisol is your primary stress hormone, and when it’s in balance, it’s brilliant. It wakes you up in the morning, helps you focus, manages inflammation, and keeps your blood sugar steady.
But when cortisol is chronically elevated (say, from years of poor sleep, overtraining, emotional stress, inflammation, or blood sugar crashes) it starts causing some serious damage. In high amounts over time, cortisol can:
● Break down collagen, leading to sagging skin and wrinkles
● Cause muscle wasting, which speeds up metabolic decline
● Thin the skin, making you look older than your age
● Suppress immune function, making you more prone to illness
● Trigger inflammation, which contributes to everything from joint pain to brain fog
In my experience, many people who are “doing all the right things” but still feel exhausted, inflamed, and prematurely aged are unknowingly running on high cortisol all day long. And the kicker? They often wear it like a badge of honor—“I thrive under pressure!” Until their body quietly (or not so quietly) disagrees.
Brain fog. Weight gain. Poor sleep.
If you chalk these up to “getting older,” you’re missing the bigger story.
2. DHEA: The Anti-Aging Underdog
DHEA is made in the adrenal glands and is a precursor to testosterone and estrogen, but it’s also a powerful anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, mood-boosting hormone all on its own.
Think of DHEA as your body’s internal resilience reserve. It helps counterbalance the effects of cortisol, supports muscle mass, maintains healthy skin, and keeps energy and libido humming along.
But here’s the kicker: when cortisol stays high, DHEA gets depleted. The body essentially shifts all its focus to stress survival, draining the very resources that would’ve helped you recover, rebuild, and age more gracefully. So what happens when DHEA stays low for too long?
● Accelerated aging of the skin (goodbye glow)
● Loss of lean muscle (hello soft arms and stubborn belly fat)
● Low energy and motivation
● Mood swings or low mood
● Increased susceptibility to inflammation, injury, and chronic disease
If cortisol is the match lighting the fire, low DHEA is like running out of water to put it out.
Burnout doesn’t just drain your energy—it leaves a biological imprint.
One your body keeps score of over time.
The Hormonal Domino Effect
Once cortisol and DHEA fall out of balance, everything else in the hormonal ecosystem starts to shift, and not in a good way. I often tell patients that these two hormones act like a foundation. When that foundation starts to crack, the structures built on top of it (testosterone, estrogen, thyroid, and insulin regulation) begin to wobble.
Low DHEA, for example, often means there’s less raw material to support healthy sex hormone production. That includes both estrogen and testosterone, which your body counts on for far more than just reproductive health. When these hormones drop or fluctuate unpredictably, the result is often a hormonal environment that doesn’t feel as strong, stable, or sharp as it once did.
Thyroid function also tends to take a hit when cortisol stays elevated. Chronic stress can reduce the conversion of inactive T4 into active T3, the thyroid hormone your cells actually use. This shift can leave your metabolism crawling and your energy supply inconsistent, even if you’re eating well and exercising regularly.
Blood sugar regulation is another casualty. High cortisol raises blood sugar, while low DHEA compromises your body’s ability to handle it effectively. This creates a feedback loop of insulin resistance and inflammation, which only accelerates biological aging and increases your risk for chronic disease down the road.
This is why some people in their 40s and 50s feel sharper, leaner, and more energetic than others in their 30s who are unknowingly running on hormonal fumes. Aging isn’t just about years lived, it’s about how much physiological stress your body has weathered, and whether or not your hormones have been supporting you through it… or working against you.
You can’t stop time. But you can stop the acceleration.
What You Can Do to Slow the Hormonal Aging Process
Hormonal wear and tear isn’t irreversible but with the right support, you can rebalance cortisol, restore DHEA, and give your body the tools it needs to age slower, feel better, and function optimally. Here’s where I usually start:
1. Support your adrenal recovery.
Swap high-intensity everything for restorative practices like walking, Pilates, breathwork, and yoga. Don’t fret–you’re not being lazy, you’re being strategic.
2. Balance blood sugar like your skin depends on it.
Because it does. Stabilize your cortisol by eating protein, fiber, and healthy fats at every meal. Ditch the rollercoaster of coffee + carbs = crash.
3. Optimize sleep like it’s a prescription.
Your DHEA and repair hormones peak while you sleep. Aim for 7–9 hours, keep bedtime consistent, and reduce screen exposure before bed.
4. Rebuild DHEA naturally.
Adaptogens like ashwagandha, rhodiola, and maca can help restore adrenal balance. Resistance training and healthy fats also support DHEA production. In some cases, DHEA supplementation (monitored by a practitioner) can be a game-changer.
5. Test, don’t guess.
Testing can show you where your cortisol and DHEA stand, so we can create a plan that’s actually tailored to your body, not a generic cookie-cutter template.
Conclusion
If you’ve been feeling like you’re aging faster than you should (tired, foggy, inflamed, and not quite like yourself) it’s time to stop blaming “just getting older” and start looking at your hormonal wear and tear. I’ve seen clients in their 50s look and feel stronger, sharper, and more vibrant than they did in their 30s once we got their hormones working with them instead of against them.
Dr. Jennifer Cardinal DC CFMP
“I can’t think, I can’t sleep, I can’t lose weight, I have no energy, no libido, no motivation and my body feels as if it doesn’t belong to me anymore.”
This is the all-too-common story I hear when a woman, grappling with her hormonal health, reaches out to me for the first time.
Frequently, she has been unable to find solutions in conventional medicine and has been informed, “Your lab results are normal; there is nothing wrong,” but she rejects this as her ultimate conclusion and persists in searching for help, answers, and hope.
Hope is where I begin, understanding it’s significance firsthand.
Like so many of us women, the hormone roller coaster was my story too.
I started my career in 1997 as a Doctor of Chiropractic, but it was my personal health journey that ultimately propelled me into postgraduate studies and a certification in functional medicine, and I haven’t looked back since.
The functional medicine approach helped me, and I believe it can help you too!
In the words of the famous Dr. Mark Hyman …
“It’s more important to understand the imbalances in your body’s basic systems and restore balance, rather than name the disease and match… Read more
