Soldiers may also elect not to wear a combat patch. Controversies have arisen in recent years over brigade commanders' decisions to ban combat patches in certain situations. This has been done in an effort to make new recruits, who didn't have the patches, feel less excluded.
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.
The Sneaky Effects of too much Cortisol. Cortisol is a vital human hormone that is secreted by the adrenal glands in response to stress. It is vital, because without it, we would not survive. But maintaining your cortisol levels within normal levels is one of the most important factors in increasing muscle tone and losing body fat.