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CortiSlim is an over-the-counter appetite suppressant marketed by Window Rock Enterprises, Inc. of Brea, California through a diet website, and on TV infomercials, for use in combination with a healthy diet plan.  Supposedly, CortiSlim controls the release of cortisol, a hormone the body releases in response to stress.  Marketers claim that high levels of cortisol will cause the body to store excess fat.  Although scientists have done research into the role of cortisol in obesity, studies still have not proven definitively that lowering cortisol levels will cause weight loss, or that CortiSlim will reduce the release of the hormone. At $49 for a month’s supply, CortiSlim's marketers are targeting their advertising toward those who experience stress and therefore would have high cortisol levels -- most of the population!

CortiSlim's ingredients are: vitamin C, calcium; chromium; vanadium; and an herbal cocktail (banana leaf extract, green tea extract, bitter orange peel extract, magnolia bark extract, theanine, and betasitosterol).  Green tea extract is thought to increase metabolism, balance blood sugar levels, and act as an antioxidant. Magnolia bark is a folk remedy used for numerous ailments.  Beta sitosterol is thought to lower cholesterol levels, but does not cause weight loss. Magnolia bark is a folk remedy used for numerous ailments.

In October, 2004, The Federal Trade Commission charged CortiSlim's marketers with "claiming, falsely and without substantiation, that their products can cause weight loss and reduce the risk of, or prevent, serious health conditions". “The 'Window Rock defendants' weight-loss and disease-prevention claims fly in the face of reality,” said Lydia B. Parnes, Acting Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “No pill can replace a healthy program of diet and exercise.”  According to the FTC, CortiSlim's marketers, "claimed that CortiSlim: (1) causes weight loss of 10 to 50 pounds for virtually all users; (2) causes users to lose as much as 4 to 10 pounds per week over multiple weeks; (3) causes users to lose weight specifically from the abdomen, stomach, and thighs; (4) causes rapid and substantial weight loss; (5) causes long-term or permanent weight loss; and (6) causes weight loss, ...that the effectiveness of CortiSlim and its ingredients is demonstrated by over 15 years of scientific research... these claims are false or unsubstantiated".  In addition, it charges that marketers, "violated the FTC Act by using a deceptive format in at least two of their infomercials to suggest falsely that the infomercials were independent television programs, rather than paid commercial advertising.

In our opinion, there’s no evidence that the CortiSlim Diet will lead to weight loss, or that it is safe to use in diet program. Since the FDA banned the use of ephedra, an ever growing number of "ephedra free" fad diets and diet pills have flooded the market—all of which are untested and unproven to be effective in weight loss programs. Dietary and herbal supplements are largely unregulated, and are not held accountable for the contents of their formulas.  Therefore, consumers cannot be assured of achieving the results advertised, that the bottle even contains the ingredients listed, that dosages are accurate, or even that they're receiving the percentages of the ingredients listed on the label.  Most important, since some ingredients contained in herbal supplements may be dangerous for those with certain medical conditions, dieters should always check with their doctor first, before taking any dietary supplement or following any fad diets or weight loss program.

The information on this web site is intended for information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Before starting any weight loss program, it is recommended that you consult your physician or other health care professional.