Cortislim Review

CortiSlim’s marketing strategy was that it can decrease the quantity of cortisol in a person’s body. Cortisol is a hormone that causes increase in stress levels. The intention behind the idea of CortiSlim is that stress is one of the major reasons for weight gain and if cortisol hormone can be lowered, stress reduces and it could help weight loss.  

CortiSlim’s contentions disputed by FTC

The FTC was not pleased with the manufacturers of CortiSlim (and CortiStress) for a press release on October 5, 2004. The FTC contended that the manufacturers made fake or unproven claims in the broadcasted ads, print ads, and Web sites. The makers claimed that cortisol also called the “stress hormone,” is the reason for weight gain and retention. They also went on to claim that CortiSlim helps to decrease and control cortisol levels and that resulted in extensive weight loss.  

According to the FTC, CortiSlim made the following claims that it:

• Results in weight loss of 10 to 50 pounds for all users;
• Helps the user to shed almost 4 to 10 pounds every week over multiple weeks;
• Aids in weight loss especially from the abdomen, stomach, and thighs;
• Results in quick, sizeable and enduring weight loss.

The FTC challenged claims by the manufacturers that their product and its advertised effectiveness was a result of more that 15 years of scientific research. The FTC felt that these declarations were untrue and could not be substantiated. According to Wikipedia, the manufacturers finally settled the matter by paying $1.2 million for making false claims.

CortiSlim in trouble with FDA

On August 19, 2004 the FDA wrote to Stephen Cheng and Window Rock Enterprises, manufacturers of CortiSlim and CortiStress. The FDA warned them that their supplement is misbranded and defies the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act).

The FDA contended that CortiSlim’s label and associated information make unsupported statements that CortiSlim “eliminates cravings,” “controls appetite,” “burn[s] calories more efficiently and naturally through thermogenesis,” “diminish[es] hunger and stress eating,” “supports healthy cortisol levels” or “supports weight maintenance efforts." 

Researcher’s view

Professionals are not sure if CortiSlim works as per its claims as the relationship between stress, cortisol and weight is not yet substantiated. According to Elissa Epel, PhD, University of California “Not everyone who reports high stress is producing a lot of cortisol.”

Another point to be noted is that no one is sure that CortiSlim actually affects cortisol levels. As per Stanford University neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky, PhD, “I don’t think there is remotely sufficient support for the claim. Certainly not support of a type that would satisfy the vast majority of metabolic endocrinologists.”

Ingredients in CortiSlim

• Vitamin C and Calcium – though they undoubtedly have health benefits, they have nothing much to do with weight loss through cortisol reduction.
• Chromium is a mere 50 mcg in CortiSlim’s 50 mcg which may not be enough to help in weight loss.
• Proprietary Blend: Cortiplex Cortisol Control Blend: contains Magnolia Bark, Licorice Root PE and Beta-SitosterolL-Theanine
• Leptiplex Thermogenic Blend contains Green Tea and Orange Peel
• Insutrol Glucose Control Blend contains Banaba Leaf and Vanadyl Sulfate

Most of the ingredients mentioned are only to please the eye and medical research on each of it has not been able to prove that they affect cortisol hormone.

So, the formulation of CortiSlim can best be described as weak. Also, the Themogenic proprietary blend is a mere 125mg which is not sufficient enough to aid weight loss even though the ingredients are proven metabolism enhancers.  

Summing up

CortiSlim has made uncorroborated and fake declarations in their advertising which is misleading the consumers. Also, the claim that cortisol hormone levels affect weight is weak. More importantly, CortiSlim’s capability to decrease cortisol levels has not been proven. So, if you are looking for an effective product, this is better to look for other alternatives.