[Suzanne 3FC]

We get a lot of questions about Cortislim, and there have been several posts by people that have tried it without success. I just ran across a small article by Berkeley Wellness, University of California, that was interesting and may be helpful:

Ask the Experts
May 2004

Q: What do you think about CortiSlim, the new weight-loss supplement? J.B., VIA THE INTERNET

A: There’s no evidence that CortiSlim will lead to weight loss, or that it is safe. Now that ephedra has finally been banned, you can expect to see lots of alternative weight-loss products on the market—all untested and unproven.

CortiSlim contains calcium, chromium, vanadium, and a cocktail of herbs including banaba leaf extract, green tea extract, bitter orange peel, magnolia bark extract, and beta sitosterol. Green tea extract and bitter orange peel are common ephedra substitutes; they may work like ephedra and speed up calorie burning slightly. But they may also be dangerous, like ephedra, and there’s no research showing they lead to long-term weight loss. Beta sitosterol may lower cholesterol levels, but it would not cause weight loss. Magnolia bark is a folk remedy for countless ailments. In any case, who knows how much, if any, of these ingredients is in the supplement?

The main sales pitch for CortiSlim is that it will control cortisol levels in the body. It’s claimed that high levels of stress cause obesity, and that this hormone, which your body releases in response to stress, makes you store excess fat. Scientists have indeed been looking into the role of cortisol in obesity, but at this point it is still theoretical. In any case, there’s no evidence that CortiSlim will reduce cortisol, or that lowering cortisol causes weight loss.

“Who has high cortisol levels?” the ads inquire. Answer: anybody who experiences daily stress, gets fewer than eight hours sleep, and hopes to lose weight— at least 90% of the population. At $50 for a month’s supply, that’s a pretty fat business. The CortiSlim website has lots of testimonials and before-and-after photos, and a “lifestyle expert,” Dr. Shawn Talbott, who claims to have done a lot of research. We could not find even one published study on CortiSlim.

from http://www.berkeleywellness.com/html...perts0504.html

[Musicgal]

I'm getting sick of seeing this infomercial on TV...of course I change the channel but I admit I watched the whole thing and answered the questions and of course, it looked like I needed the stuff (which I didn't purchase because I like the little money I do have!). I just feel sorry for people...everyone's looking for a magic formula...I think what they are really looking for is hope. When they make it sound scientific, some people think there may be something to it...especially when they see/hear testimonials from real users. They probably did lose the weight, but I think it may be the placebo effect. They think the stuff works, so they are more dilligent with their eating habits and exercise...who knows...

[Virginia Chickie]

Just think about it, if this stuff really worked, dont you know that those marketing guys would go gangbuster crazy with flooding every store with it? Remember some of the other old fad items like Metabolite, and Optifast, remember all that fat Oprah put in that wagon and pulled across that stage? Gained it all back, Till she learned like we all do, it just aint that simple!
I fell prey to the lure of an infomercial a year or so ago about Coral calcium, only to find out it was hype and now the stores are filled with many types of this stuff, for alot less. We live and learn, I guess. The gimmick of using some so called Dr to push these products has proven very powerful. This culture has long placed any medical professional on a pedestal, and take their word as gospel! Take care, Linda

[JayEll]

I have been taking CortiSlim for two months, and I believe it is helping me by reducing my carbohydrate cravings at night. I have had no side effects from taking this supplement.

I want to add some information to counter what's being said in this forum that implies all supplements are bad and all supplement makers are trying to rip people off. Below is an excerpt from an article by Dr. Julian Whitaker, M.D., who is a specialist in alternative health and use of supplements:

"It's been nearly impossible to ignore the recent media circus about the 'dangers' of nutritional supplements. Herbs that have been used for decades by millions of consumers with obvious benefits are now deemed unsafe. Claims of toxicity of the few supplements known to be problematic if used inappropriately are overblown, and fears are unnecessarily stirred up.

"Consumer Reports, like just about everyone else these days, reveled in the fact that ephedra has been removed from the market. I've defended this herb several times.... I've told you about countless widely publicized reports of death attributed to ephedra that later proved to be unrelated. I showed you how stastics supporting its dangers published in the Annals of Internal Medicine were wrong.... I wrote a letter to the editors of the Annals about this, and they actually published it, but of course, all that anyone remembered were the original erroneous data.

"I also shared research from Harvard and Columbia showing that when taken as recommended, ephedra is a safe and effective therapy for weight loss. Public health experts are beating the drum about obesity as a major health concern, yet these same experts helped bury one of the few proven treatments for it. Go figure.

"There is one class of consumer products that kills more people than hadnguns, automobiles, street drugs, and every type of poison combined. Each and every year, 106,000 patients die in our hospitals from adverse reactions to prescription drugs.... And this is under medical supervision!

"And it's not limited only to prescription drugs.... Ibuprofen and aspirin kill 16,500 Americans every year and send 103,000 to the hospital with GI bleeding. Acetaminophen (Tylenol), which is highly toxic to the liver, is responsible for more than 56,000 yearly emergency room visits....

"Where is the hue and cry over this? If any other consumer product had this dismal a record of safety, it would be history. Yet we rarely see exposes on the dangers of prescription drugs--until one of them kills scores of people and is yanked off the market...."

For those who are interested, visit the website. drwhitaker should get you there, or search on Dr. Julian Whitaker.

There is more than one side to this story.

[kahnfv]

I think part of the problem with a lot of medications, supplements or vitiamins is people do not follow the directions. The abuse them by taking more than the recommended dose. "If 2 worked maybe 3 or 4 would work better." My MIL is bad about taking to much Alevee, even though she's been told it thins her blood.