Cortisol

Cortisol is actually a corticosteroid hormone that is produced by the adrenal gland, but it is most often called the “Stress Hormone” by layman and the media.

Cortisol is called the stress hormone because it is intimately involved in the body’s stress response. This means that it increases energy, blood pressure and blood sugar, while lowering the body’s immune function—all of which are connected to the bodies "Fight or Flight" response. Recent studies have suggested that the over production of cortisol can increase body fat in general and belly fat in particular. However not everyone who has belly fat or is over weight has high Cortisol levels. There are many reasons for weight gain, ranging from high carb intake to eating too much fat.

Many developers suggest that their formulas can reduce Cortisol levels, by reducing stress, and to do so they include relaxing agents like Magnolia, Passion Flower and Scutellaria. While these elements are commonly found in many holistic formulas geared toward reducing anxiety and easing sleeplessness, there is no research to confirm their ability to directly affect Cortisol production, or reduce the affects of too much Cortisol production. This may be why so many consumers who have used these kinds of products report that they were disappointed with their results. This is especially true when the results are compared with focused weight loss products that use proven weight loss agents like Hoodia and Yerba Mate.

• May help when in a stressful situation

• Cortisol can create fat when too much is produced
• Herbal relaxants have not been shown to reduce Cortisol levels
• These products have garnered a lot of negative consumer commentary, which can be read on this popular Cortisol blog. If you are interested in more information, you can read another Cortisol review by Sensational.com.

While Cortisol may play a role in weight gain for some individuals, it is by no means the sole reason for weight gain. There are many different factors that can be involved in weight gain including things like a sedentary lifestyle and eating too many carbs or fats. Developers are very keen on promoting herbal relaxants like Magnolia, Passion Flower and Scutellaria as being weight loss agents that can decrease the production of Cortisol, but there is no research that supports this claim.

What the research does show is that some herbal exacts, like Hoodia, Yerba Mate and Advantra Z, can help users significantly increase weight loss by cutting hunger, increasing energy and augmenting fat oxidation. Lowering stress is always a good thing, but there is no guarantee that it will augment weight loss, unless other measures are also incorporated.