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Q: Weight Loss Pills and Health Concerns ( Answered,   2 Comments )
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Subject: Weight Loss Pills and Health Concerns
Category: Health
Asked by: bigverg-ga
List Price: $25.00
Posted: 12 Aug 2002 22:35 PDT
Expires: 11 Sep 2002 22:35 PDT
Question ID: 53924
I have a minor history of both high cholestoral as well as some
infrequent bouts with anxiety attacks. Neither is of serious nature
but I also don't want to encounter any issues if I take on a new diet
program. I am 33 a year old male, weigh about 180 pounds and would
like to
lose 15-20 pounds, primarily in my stomach/waist area. The other areas
of my body are fine, I just tend to gain wait in my belly. It's always
been tough to lose. I actually eat quite well, very little fat, high
in protein. Could probably stand to eat less as I tend to binge due to
inconsistent schedule. My question is which of the following new or
existing weight loss supplements best fit my needs?

The list of these is as follows, I would like to hear your
recommendations or feedback:
-Relacor
-Zotrin
-Atrinol

Finally, is the hormone "CORTISOL" a real factor in stress related
Upper Body Adiposity (UBA) — the "apple-shaped" classification of fat
on persons. I believe I may have these characteristics building as I
approach my mid 30's. One of the products above (Aprinol) says it
directly attacks this problem... Is that true and with what side
effects?

Thank you for your help on this. Here is more info on the subjects
that I found but they are from the ads that promote the respective
products. I want more than an ad for my knowledge.

INFO ON ZOTRIN:

Do you wish there was a pill that could make you stop eating? A tiny,
little, easy to-swallow capsule that would melt off excess pounds of
fat, flab and cellulite without “dieting,” calorie-counting, or
engaging in anything more than modest exercise? What if that tiny
capsule not only reduced your daily caloric intake AUTOMATICALLY but
also increased energy levels and put you in a great mood? Would you be
interested? Well, the pill is called Zotrin™ , and a new study
published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics says your
wish is about to come true.

Published Clinical Studies Prove 100% Success!

In a six-week, double-blind clinical trial, 46 overweight men and
women were divided into two groups. Group A received the active
Zotrin™ compound (Zotril™). Group B received a placebo (an inert sugar
pill). Both groups were instructed to take their assigned capsules
with a glass of water 15 minutes before the main meals of the day and
not to change their normal eating habits or exercise routine. At the
conclusion of the six-week study the data was independently verified
and reviewed.

The results were astounding! Group A (the Zotrin™ group) experienced a
significant decrease in overall body weight – an incredible 1603% more
weight loss (over 16 TIMES more) than those who took a placebo –
without following a complicated diet program or following a prescribed
exercise regimen. Every single person who took the active Zotrin™
compound lost a significant amount of weight. But there’s more! Not
one of the subjects who continued taking the Zotrin™ compound for a
period of one full year experienced rebound weight gain. Not one! In
other words, Zotrin™ caused easy, automatic, permanent weight loss
without calorie-counting, and without diet rebound. The full report of
this clinical study has been peer-reviewed and published in the
Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.


A New Generation Weight Loss Compound Has Been Born! 

A major medical breakthrough has shattered the weight-loss barrier and
a new generation, non “diet,” fast-acting weight-loss compound has
been born – an entirely new generation of powerful, foolproof,
bio-active weight-loss compounds that has literally eliminated calorie
counting, eliminated strenuous exercise, eliminated fad diets,
supermarket “miracle” pills, so-called Japanese “fat-blockers,”
electric belts, or anything else you have ever tried before. But most
importantly, this new generation of potent compounds has eliminated
any possibility of failure and replaced it with guaranteed success.
You will not fail this time. In fact, you cannot fail this time
because you don’t have to do anything more than remember to take your
easy-to-swallow Zotrin™ capsules each and every day. That’s it! There
is nothing else to do and nothing else to buy. Zotrin™ will do
everything for you – automatically. And that’s guaranteed.


How Zotrin™ Works

At last, a new generation of weight-loss compounds has been born. Men
and women who have used Zotrin™ (Zotril™) all report virtually
identical results: When you take Zotrin™ you forget about food… you
don’t want to eat. You have plenty of energy, and you feel great. As
of now, the obesity experts are unequivocal on three main points: 1)
Zotrin™ delays gastric emptying, 2) Zotrin™ reduces the time to
perceived fullness, and 3) Taking Zotrin™ results in significant
weight loss. Zotrin™ is the new generation weight-loss compound. A
weight-loss compound that makes up for years of overeating, years
without exercise, years of being unable to push away that extra
dessert or midnight snack, and years of embarrassment and lack of
self-confidence. It’s no wonder there’s been so much excitement
surrounding the introduction of Zotrin™ into the U.S. market. As
thousands of men and women just like you have already discovered,
there is no easier, more effective weight-loss compound available
today. Finally, automatic weight loss.
Nutritional Facts

Zotrin™ For Men Directions: Take two capsules with a full glass of
water, 15 minutes before major meals (usually lunch & dinner). Do not
exceed 6 capsules per day.

Ingredients:
Zotril™ A Proprietary Blend of 847.8 mg: 
Yerba Mate (bark) (standardized proprietary extract)
Guarana (seed) (standardized proprietary extract)
Damiana (leaf, stem) (standardized proprietary extract)
Calcium phosphate
Microcrystallene cellulose
Magnesium stearate
Barberry (root, bark) Standardized Extract 
L-tyrosine
Trimthylglycine

A Proprietary Blend for Men 158mg: . Schizonepeta (spica) Standardized
Extract
Yucca (plant)
Passion flower (aerial parts)
Panax ginseng (root) Standardized Extract 
Maca (root) Standardized Extract 
St. John's wort (herb) Standardized Extract 
L-Leucine
L-Glutamine
NADH

Other Ingredients: rice flour.

Use only as directed. 
During the next few months, because of international publicity
surrounding the release of the Journal of Human Nutrition and
Dietetics study, you will see many products claiming to have the same
ingredients used in the clinical trial. Do not be misled. While the
basic raw materials are rather common, the precise herbal extracts
used in the published study are unique and the manner in which these
extracts are blended and processed is an expensive, exacting
procedure. To ensure that you are getting the “real thing,” look for
the ZOTRIL™ trade mark. ZOTRIL™ contains the exact combination of
active extracts, manufactured for proper gastrointestinal
disbursement, as was used in the groundbreaking clinical trial. In
addition to the active ZOTRIL™ compound, AlphaGen Biotech has
developed and included gender-specific admixtures designed to meet the
specific hormonal and metabolic needs of both men and women. These
gender-specific admixtures make Zotrin™* the most advanced ZOTRIL™
formula on the market today. So, whether you’re a man or a woman, if
you want to experience fast, easy, permanent, automatic weight loss,
ask for Zotrin™ by name. Do not accept substitutes or look-a-likes!

CORTISOL AND APRINOL INFO:

	Cortisol: The "Stress Hormone" The hormone cortisol, which is
released in the body during stressed or agitated states, has gained
widespread attention as the so-called "stress hormone." But this
hormone is more than a simple marker of stress levels- it is necessary
for the functioning of almost every part of the body. Excesses or
deficiencies of this crucial hormone are also lead to various physical
symptoms and disease states.Background Cortisol is a steroid hormone
made in the adrenal glands, which are small glands adjacent to the
kidneys. Among its important functions in the body include roles in
the regulation of blood pressure and cardiovascular function as well
as regulation of the body's use of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
Cortisol secretion increases in response to any stress in the body,
whether physical (such as illness, trauma, surgery, or temperature
extremes) or psychological. When cortisol is secreted, it causes a
breakdown of muscle protein, leading to release of amino acids (the
"building blocks" of protein) into the bloodstream. These amino acids
are then used by the liver to synthesize glucose for energy, in a
process called gluconeogenesis. This process raises the blood sugar
level so the brain will have more glucose for energy. At the same time
the other tissues of the body decrease their use of glucose as fuel.
Cortisol also leads to the release of so-called fatty acids, an energy
source from fat cells, for use by the muscles. Taken together, these
energy-directing processes prepare the individual to deal with
stressors and insure that the brain receives adequate energy sources.
The body possesses an elaborate feedback system for controlling
cortisol secretion and regulating the amount of cortisol in the
bloodstream. The pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the
brain, makes and secretes a hormone known as adrenocorticotrophin, or
ACTH. Secretion of ACTH signals the adrenal glands to increase
cortisol production and secretion. The pituitary, in turn, receives
signals from the hypothalamus of the brain in the form of the hormone
CRH, or corticotropin-releasing hormone, which signals the pituitary
to release ACTH. Almost immediately after a stressful event, the
levels of the regulatory hormones ACTH and CRH increase, causing an
immediate rise in cortisol levels. When cortisol is present in
adequate (or excess) amounts, a negative feedback system operates on
the pituitary gland and hypothalamus which alerts these areas to
reduce the output of ACTH and CRH, respectively, in order to reduce
cortisol secretion when adequate levels are present. Measurement of
Cortisol levels The body's level of cortisol in the bloodstream
displays what is known as a diurnal variation- that is, normal
concentrations of cortisol vary throughout a 24-hour period. Cortisol
levels in normal individuals are highest in the early morning at
around 6-8 am and are lowest around midnight. Normal levels of
cortisol in the bloodstream range from 6-23 mcg/dl (micrograms per
deciliter). In addition to early morning, cortisol levels may be
somewhat higher after meals. While the most common test is measurement
of the cortisol level in the blood, some doctors measure cortisol
through a saliva sample, as salivary cortisol levels have been shown
to be an index of blood cortisol levels. Sometimes by-products of
cortisol metabolism are also measured, such as
17-hydroxycorticosteroids, which are inactive products of cortisol
breakdown in the liver. In some cases measurement of urinary cortisol
levels is of value. For this test, urine is collected over a 24-hour
period and analyzed. Normal 24-hour urinary cortisol levels range from
10-100 micrograms/ 24 hours.



Description*: 
Call it what you want: "middle-age spread," "love handles," or a
"pot-belly," it's all the same thing... Upper Body Adiposity (UBA) —
the "apple-shaped" condition characterized by the accumulation of
unwanted, embarrassing adipose (fat) tissue in the center and upper
parts of the body, primarily in the abdominal area, waist, upper arms,
chest, and back. It's undeniable, unpleasant, and if you've been
trying to rid yourself of UBA without much success, you already know
it takes much more than some ordinary diet pill to defeat upper body
fat accumulation. It takes Aprinol™, the first weight-control compound
specifically designed to reduce the resistant, large-cell "depot fat"
that makes UBA so difficult to manage. One short note: although UBA is
most often a man's problem, UBA is a condition of great concern for
both sexes. Most women tend toward the "apple" shape at perimenopause
(around 40 years of age). Fact: Upper Body Fat Cells are Larger and
More Resistant to Lipolysis The reason it's necessary to use a
compound specifically directed at UBA is because upper-body fat cells
are vastly dissimilar from lower-body fat cells... reacting much
differently to normal lipolytic (fat-burning) stimuli. A
groundbreaking study, published in the Journal of Clinical
Investigation (vol. 83, pp.1168-1173), confirmed that upper-body fat
cells are larger — much larger — than those in the lower body. Because
of their larger size and affinity for absorption and storage of
circulating Free Fatty Acids (FFAs), upper-body fat cells are
constantly swollen and packed with massive triglyceride stores.
Upper-body fat cells also have a relatively small number of receptors
on their surface — the vitally important receptors that respond to
weight-control signals from the Central and Sympathetic nervous
systems. Thus, people with UBA have a two-fold problem: first, the
individual fat cell is not mobilizing enough FFAs to reduce the overly
bloated state of the cell; and secondly, the total amount of FFAs
being produced is so expansive that reduction of fat cell size is
almost impossible without intervention. Fact: Aprinol™ Overcomes the
Paradox of Upper Body Adiposity Aprinol™ overcomes your resistant
stores of upper body depot fat in four ways. First, Aprinol™ increases
lipolysis by intensifying upper-body fat-cell sensitivity to signals
from the Sympathetic and Central nervous systems. Second, Aprinol™
helps restore normal neural control of fat regulation, thereby
reducing the buildup of fat in upper-body "depot" cells. Third,
Aprinol™ drastically reduces the amount of FFAs in the blood by
increasing the body's "wasting cycles"... the ability to burn off FFAs
being produced by upper-body fat cells before they can exert their
harmful effects. Fourth, Aprinol™ increases general metabolism, which
ensures excess Free Fatty Acids are used as they are purged...
preventing restorage and failure. So What's The Catch? Upper Body
Adiposity, as with any localized manifestation of overweight, is
extremely difficult to overcome. Aprinol™ will not produce results
overnight (and, frankly, anyone who tells you that you can lose 6
inches "overnight, while you sleep, without diet or exercise" is
simply not telling the truth). Aprinol™ will, however, make a
profound, visible difference in a matter of weeks. Make no mistake
about it, Aprinol™ will work for you, just as it has for thousands
around the globe. Aprinol™: The Only Compound Specifically Developed
to Relieve (Apple-Shaped) Upper Body Adiposity So if you're tired of
people pointing at your "spare tire," or if excess pounds around the
middle are making you look older, feel older, and act older than you
really are, it's time to get Aprinol™. Aprinol™ is the only
weight-control compound designed to normalize neural and hormonal
control over the lipolytic and metabolic processes unique to Upper
Body Adiposity. Therefore, Aprinol™ is the only weight-control
compound that won't let you down.

INFO ON RELACORE

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed or your money back! Product Size: 90 Caps
According to government researchers, the link between stress, tension,
and excess belly fat is clear. High levels of cortisol –– a nasty
little stress hormone –– cause pound after pound of excess body fat to
accumulate around your waist and tummy…… a health-threatening,
figure-destroying condition affecting an estimated 47 million
Americans…… mostly women. Simply stated, a bulging midsection is not
your fault…… it’’s the harmful combination of everyday stress, binge
eating, and excess cortisol…… all conspiring to keep you overweight,
tired, and thick around the middle. But now you can beat
stress-induced belly fat with Relacore™™ –– the breakthrough
anti-anxiety, mood elevating pill that helps cut cortisol production
by short-circuiting the ““stress-to-belly-fat cycle.”” Is
Stress-Induced Cortisol Making You Fat? •• Does everyday life make you
stressed out and anxious? •• Are you accumulating belly fat that you
just can’’t get rid of? •• Do you binge eat in response to daily
stress? •• Do you have high triglycerides (the ““bad cholesterol””)?
•• Are you sensitive to refined sugar? •• Have you tried diet after
diet without long-term success? A Natural Feel-Good Pill Called
Relacore™™ Might Be The Perfect Answer To Belly Fat ““Relacore is a
non-sedative, mild anti-anxiety mood enhancer that reduces cortisol
production by minimizing stress,”” says Dr. Nathalie Chevreau,
Director of Women’’s Health and Nutrition for www.MyFreeDiet.com.
““Those who take Relacore report an overall feeling of well-being,
less anxiety, have much more energy and a greater ability to handle
the problems of everyday life.”” Not only can Relacore reduce belly
fat in conjunction with proper diet and exercise, but it also helps
balance hormone levels that cause stress-induced obesity and binge
eating. If your exercise time is limited, Relacore is the best way to
control the accumulation of cortisol and belly fat because the formula
nips the problem of stress and anxiety in the bud, so to speak. The
Most Significant Weight-Control Advancement In More Than A Decade So
if everyday life makes you stressed out and anxious…… if you’’ve been
accumulating belly fat that you just can’’t get rid of…… if you’’re
binge eating in response to daily stress, and you’’re sick and tired
of diet failure, it’’s time to try Relacore–– the most significant
advancement in weight control in more than a decade. Relacore is the
natural anti-stress, mood elevating pill that can help positively
alter the underlying cause of excess belly fat…… leaving you happier,
full of energy, and with that flat, youthful tummy you never thought
you’’d see again. Get Relacore today. You will not be disappointed. Do
Not Accept Substitutes Or Look-A-Likes Ever since news stories about
Relacore™™ (pronounced Rel-A-Kore) captivated the media, dozens of
look-a-likes and sound-a-likes have hit the market. Don’’t be
confused. Relacore™™ is the only full strength, broad spectrum
Relacortin™™ formula available in the USA. The most potent stress
relieving, mood elevating energizer specifically designed to mitigate
Metabolic Syndrome and reduce the accumulation of belly fat caused by
excess cortisol. For visible results, insist on Relacore. Money-Back
Guarantee! All Leptoprin formulations are covered by our no-nonsense,
money-back guarantee, which contains no fine print or misleading
terms. Simply stated, if you use any Leptoprin product and do not see
substantial results, just return the empty container within 30 days
(we would like you to use all of your fine formula) for a full, prompt
refund.
Answer  
Subject: Re: Weight Loss Pills and Health Concerns
Answered By: aditya2k-ga on 13 Aug 2002 06:54 PDT
 
Hi bigverg,

   Good day. I'm quite familiar to the situation you're in. I too was
overweight, and have a lot of stress.

There is no better way to reduce fat than exercising. Join a health
care center or something. Jogging, cycling and aerobics will help you.
I lost 25 pounds in 4 months, without a significance change in my
diet. You mention that you find it difficult to reduce weight. I too
share the same problem. In my case, I suffer from hypothyroidism,
which means a deficiency in the thyroid hormone. This reduces the
metabolism rate and hence the rate at which fat is burned. I suggest
you check your thyroid level. It is nothing but a blood test. Other
symptoms include hair loss, feeling tired etc...

   Taking weight loss pills may reduce your weight. These pills just
increase your metabolism rate and reduce your appetite. You could do
serious damage to your health. Once you stop taking the pills, the fat
will come back faster than it left. Recently, I read that raspberries
promote weight loss. Since raspberries are natural, there are no side
effects involved.

   Anyway, I'm going to answer your question now.

Relacor
-------
The main function of Relacor is not weight reduction. In fact, it is a
vitamin supplement. Relacor is a daily dietary supplement designed to
support the normal process of blood pressure. Normally, cardiac
patients take this. The main components of Relacor are:
- Vitamin C: Plays an important role in helping maintain blood
pressure levels that are already in normal range. It also helps
maintain optimal blood viscosity levels.
- Arginine: An essential nutrient needed by the cells in the arterial
wall to produce nitric oxide. This "relaxing factor" contributes to
maintaining blood pressure levels that are already in normal range.
- Calcium and Magnesium: Indispensable for maintaining an optimum
balance of electrolytes inside and outside of cells. The mineral
balance is essential for optimum contraction and relaxation cycle of
blood vessel walls.
- Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and Citrus Bioflavonoids work together to form
an effective antioxidant protection against damage of cellular
structures.

Personal opinion: This could do more harm than good. This could reduce
your blood pressure to a subnormal level. There is no mention of fat
reduction, though a couple of sites list this as a fat reducer. Don't
be fooled! People will go to any limit to sell products.


Zotrin
------
I guess you have enough information on Zotrin from the distributors.
Although it looks all so simple, there are a lot of side effects
involved. Quotes from http://www.drugintel.com/drugs/zotrin.htm :
"No FDA-approved uses; claims vary, psychostimulant with a putative
sexual performance enhancer; contains herbs to treat PMS related
symptoms"
"Zotrin consists mostly of natural sources of caffeine-like drugs
which appear to be safe at appropriate dosages, BUT contains yohimbine
which should not be employed without physician supervision.  The
effect of Zotrin that a person feels will most likely be a stimulant
(like coffee or tea, but possibly stronger) and possibly an increase
in sexual libido or performance.  The strength and exact source of
herbals may vary, and although it is illegal, some herbal purveyors
will dope their wares with synthetic drugs, so that a certain amount
of trust is placed in the manufacturer.  A trustworthy manufacturer
identifies the ingredients clearly for the consumer along with the
risks.  THE COMBINATION OF ZOTRIN WITH VIAGRA COULD BE EXTREMELY
DANGEROUS."

I suggest you read that site thoroughly. Obviously, its not
recommended


Aprinol
-------
I haven't come across any major side effects or product warnings for
Aprinol. In fact, Yahoo! shopping lists is
(http://shop.store.yahoo.com/wholesale-supplements/kb-006.html)
without any product warnings. Although Aprinol is safe, most of the
sites explain that it may take time for results to appear. So, I
suspect that time could be long.


Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is released from the zona
fasciculata of the adrenal cortex in response to stress. High levels
of this hormone can be found in people who are overweight and obese. I
had a test done for cortisol level, and it appeared normal.

Some URLs on cortisol and fat are listed below :

How You React to Stress May Affect How Your Clothes Fit
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/1728.69924
"Stress makes you eat more -- especially more sweets -- because it
increases levels of a hormone called cortisol. That's bad news,
because fat created by cortisol is the "deep-belly" kind, which, one
expert says, is known to increase health risks."

What every woman should know about cortisol and abdominal fat...
http://www.christianfinn.com/research/whey_stress.htm
"Researchers from Yale have uncovered a link between the stress
hormone cortisol and abdominal fat in otherwise slender women."

Stress – can it make you fat? (Part I & II)
Part I -> http://www.health24.co.za/specials/shape/shape.stress1.asp
Part II-> http://www.health24.co.za/specials/shape/shape.stress2.asp
"Researchers Greenspan and Baxter, 1994, also report that high levels
of cortisol can increase appetite and food intake and later fat
deposits in the trunk and abdominal area, producing the “spare tire”
with which many are so familiar! What happens with chronic stress is
that the cortisol levels remain elevated for long periods of time."


I have tried to cover all avenues of information in this regard. In
case you have any clarifications about this answer, please feel free
to ask. If you're happy with the answer, then so am I

Have a good day, and all the best in your quest for weight reduction.
Remember, there is no substitute for EXCERCISE. 30 minutes of exercise
a day is enough.

Cheers,
aditya2k.


Other Related URLs:

Relacor
http://216.239.33.100/search?sourceid=navclient&q=cache:http%3A%2F%2Fvitaminlady.com%2FRath%2FRath_Relacor.htm
(Note : This is a cached page of
http://vitaminlady.com/Rath/Rath_Relacor.htm. The URL displays a page
not found error, and hence I'm posting the Cache link)

Weight Loss Supplements
http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Shopping_and_Services/Health/Nutrition/Supplements/Weight_Loss/
Look at the number of supplements out there. None of these beats
exercising.

Clarification of Answer by aditya2k-ga on 13 Aug 2002 07:14 PDT
Hi again,

   In the excitement of it all, I forgot to mention my search terms

Search Terms
relacore side effects
zotrin side effects
aprinol side effects
weight reduction pills disadvantage
cortisol fat
Comments  
Subject: Weight Loss Pills and Health Concerns
From: mysipsteacompany-ga on 10 Mar 2005 07:16 PST
 
Ideally your goal should be to avoid pills and diet fads. The
ingredients in some of these products are benefical. Yerba Mate as a
Tea can be an excellent way to boost your metabolism, add vitamins,
minerals, and nutrients. Detailed information can be obtained @
www.MySips.com
Subject: Re: Weight Loss Pills and Health Concerns
From: smatic-ga on 10 Mar 2005 12:01 PST
 
5HTP is recently being marketed like crazy for weight loss (appetite
suppressant), worth looking into possibly. You can find some 5HTP
weight loss resources at
http://www.vitamin-spot.com/vitamin/directory/Weightloss+Pills+With+5HTP%0D/

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