Anti stresss?

3 Comments

1. curious cook says:

   June 11, 2009 at 8:53 am

   Ingredients At A Glance
   CortiLess™ contains Vitamin C, calcium and chromium, plus 3 proprietary blends. The three blends appear to be formulated to reduce stress, provide mild stimulants and help with blood sugar regulation.

   Ingredients In Focus
   Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that is beneficial to the immune system; it may also help increase the resting metabolism rate.

   Calcium is necessary for supporting bone density, and also may affect the rate at which fat is burned at increased dosages.

   Chromium is widely believed to help regulate blood sugar levels, and is often used in weight loss supplements for this reason. It has been suggested, however, that taking too much may actually damage cells.

   Blend 1: Magnolia bark extract is rich in antioxidants. The extract has been used for centuries to reduce anxiety, and recently has been found to possibly affect cortisol levels. Theanine, an amino acid found in tea, is thought to help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation; beta-sitosterol may help block cholesterol from absorption in the bloodstream, thereby reducing its levels.

   Blend 2: Green Tea Leaf extract contains antioxidants and is often used in weight loss supplements for the belief that it can aid in fat breakdown. Additionally it has been shown to promote relaxation and mental clarity. Cocoa Bean extract contains theobromine, a mild stimulant similar to caffeine that also has diuretic properties. It has also been shown to raise serotonin levels.

   Blend 3: Banaba Leaf contains corosolic acid which may help regulate blood sugar levels, Vanadyl Sulfate, derived from vanadium, is also believed to possibly help control glucose levels.

   Diet Lifestyle
   By combining mild stimulants, blood sugar regulators, and substances believed to work as slight anti-depressants, the formula for CortiLess™ will most likely have an effect on the mood. We understand that a high-stress lifestyle could lead to poor eating and exercise habits, and sometimes a supplement to promote relaxation is desirable. We do not feel that there is enough medical or scientific research to support the claim that cortisol levels affect weight. There is plenty to suggest that it is created in response to stress, but by merely reducing the levels, noticeable weight loss is not likely.

   As with any supplement, a regular exercise routine and a healthy, balanced diet is necessary for any type of change to occur – mentally and physically. Exercise can increase endorphin levels which therefore lead to an enhanced mood and eating balanced meals ensure that your body gets the vitamins and minerals it needs to keep all systems functioning at optimum levels.

   Positives
   • Relatively inexpensive
   • Contains high amounts of Vitamin C
   • Contains Green Tea Leaf Extract

   Negatives
   • Manufacturer is not listed
   • Very little information is available
   • Not enough evidence to support claims of cortisol levels effecting weight

   Final Thoughts
   Corti-this, corti-that, this-a-core, that-a-core….there is no doubt, cortisol is a hot topic among weight loss manufacturers. But does the level of cortisol really have an effect on weight loss? We unsure that this product will affect the mental state of mind as it contains many substances popular for traditionally treating symptoms of anxiety and depression and for promoting relaxation. The connection that cortisol has on weight loss is just not very clear at this point.

   While manufacturers place claims on it and more “benefits” become associated through advertising, there does not appear to be a lot of medical or scientific evidence of its effects. In fact, is has been suggested that taking supplements to reduce cortisol levels could have extremely severe effects when increased levels are needed to help the body fight stress onset by an accident. We feel it may be best to use supplements that have been proven to support the body positively and actually reduce weight.