Human Biodesign · Favero et al., 2025
Adrenal Glands
Human Biodesign
CORTISOL
↓ Leaking Continuously
24 HOURS
a day · 7 days · 365 days a year
Mild Autonomous
Cortisol Secretion
MACS
Favero et al., 2025 · J. Endocrinological Investigation
⚠ MACS ZONE DETECTED
Leaks cortisol without triggering standard lab alerts
Sits in "low-normal" range — deceptively labelled mild
Linked to severe metabolic damage at this level
Silent Metabolic Damage
Even at
"low-normal"
levels:
"low-normal"
levels:
🫀
Hypertension
Risk
Risk
0.1×
vs normal cortisol
even in "subclinical" MACS
even in "subclinical" MACS
Type 2 Diabetes
Risk
Risk
0.1×
vs normal cortisol —
independent of body weight
independent of body weight