Does Snapple's Diet Green Tea "Metabolism" actually fuel your metabolism like it says it should?

Weight Loss Pills and Health Concerns

• 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:

  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.