What is Cortisol?

Cortisol is a corticosteriod hormone that is produced in the adrenal cortex, the outer portion of the adrenal gland. Cortisol is a so called "stress" hormone meaning that the body produces the hormone in response to physical or emotional stress. The function of the hormone is to elevate blood pressure and blood sugar levels, both of which would be beneficial in a physical confrontation, sometimes referred to a "fight or flight" situation. On the down side cortisol suppresses the immune system. Hydrocortisone, the synthetic version of cortisol, is readily prescribed to stop allergic reactions and inflammation. The problem with both cortisol and hydrocortisone is that having (or taking) elevated levels of cortisone or hydrocortisone is harmful to the human body and may lead to weight gain.

What is CortiFit?

CortiFit is an all natural weight management product designed to help manage cortisol levels in the body. While this has become a popular method of weight loss over the last several years, it should be noted that this is a growing area of research, and as such much of what we know is still theoretical. While many believe that controlling cortisol is a important to controlling certain types of weight gain, the volume of research in that area is still somewhat limited. That's not to say there hasn't been research on this topic, there has, but there has not been much in the way of randomized, double blind placebo controlled studies, the "gold standard" of clinical research. However we think the theory does seem to make some sense. To that end we've taken a multi-tiered approach to potentially helping you reduce cortisol and manage your weight.

CortiFit's Stress & Cortisol Management Complex:

B Complex

The B vitamins might well be the most important group of vitamins to take for stress management, emotional support and heart health. B vitamins control a number of stress hormones, including cortisol and homocystine. Not surprisingly, as stress increases blood levels of the B vitamins decreases, therefore it only makes sense to supplement with a good B complex, as we have here.
-Phosphatidyl Serine - Phosphatidyl Serine is a phospholipid nutrient that is critical to brain cell membranes and seems to benefit brain function. It also has been show to reduce cortisol levels in the body, particularly levels elevated by exercise.

L-Theanine

L-Theanine is an amino acid that like phosphatidyl serine works in the brain. It readily crosses the blood brain barrier and increases the production of Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and increases levels of dopamine and serotonin, creating a feeling of relaxation and well being without drossiness. There is also evidence that it may increase alpha-wave production in the brain, the brain wave cycle that occurs during periods of relaxation, sleep initiation, and waking. Therefore l-Theanine may improve sleep. -Beta-Sitosterol - Beta Sitosterol is a plant sterol (steroid alcohol) that aids in maintaining a healthy level of stress hormones in the body by maintaining the balance between anabolic hormones (such as DHEA) and catabolic hormones (such as Cortisol). As well some studies have found that Beta-sitosterol and other sterols reduce the body's natural inflammation response and immune suppression after exercise.

CortiFit's Blood Sugar Management Complex:

Why blood sugar management? Believe it or not a drop in blood sugar levels cause trigger a stress response in your body, flooding your body with stress hormones, and trigging the physiological response to store body fat. Thus, regulating blood sugar really just

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Grapefruit diets have been on and off fad diets for years. And there is a good reason why, grapefruit has been shown to help regulate blood sugar

Chromium Picolinate

Chromium is a trace mineral and that is essential to the body in very low doses. It aids in glucose metabolism, insulin regulation and appetite control.

Vanadium

Vanadium, like chromium is another trace mineral that benefits insulin regulation.

CortiFit's Metabolic Support Complex

Green Tea Extract (EGCG)

Evidence is mounting that, in addition to Green Tea's antioxidant benefits, it may also benefit dieters. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition November 1999 issue published the results of a study at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. Researchers found that men who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine or a placebo.

Guaraná

Guaraná contains tetra methylxanthine, a compound almost identical to caffeine, so similar in fact that they are largely regarded as the same molecule. Guaraná also contains large amounts of theophylline, theobromine, tannic acid and is rich in saponins. The fact that Guaraná seed is fatty means that even ground into a powder, it is not readily water soluble and therefore not quickly absorbed by the body. The caffeine is released slowly--over as much as 6 hours--so the energy boost that is experienced from Guaraná is not like that of coffee (with a sudden rush and quick drop-off), but continues to escalate over hours. The tannic acid is astringent and probably accounts for its use as a digestive tonic. The saponin content may be partially responsible for its long term effects (saponins are the agents responsible for the energizing effects of Ginseng when it is taken over long periods). Theobromine and theophylline are two constituents of Guaraná that educated chocoholics will recognize. Theophylline is a stronger stimulant than even caffeine, but it is present in smaller amounts than caffeine. Theobromine is the stimulant/euphoriant so craved by chocoholics; with all three of theobromine, theophylline, and caffeine present, it's not hard to see how Guaraná can stimulate you metabolism, helping you to burn more calories.

CortiFit's Appetite Suppression Complex:

Hoodia gordonii

Although the western world recently discovered the benefits of Hoodia, the San Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert have been relying on it for thousands of years to suppress hunger and thirst during long hunting trips. Researchers at the South Africa's national laboratory - Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - began studying Hoodia in 1963 and found that laboratory animals lost weight after taking it. Although there are 20 types of Hoodia, only the Hoodia Gordonii variety is believed to contain the natural appetite suppressant. Researchers at Brown Medical School in Rhode Island gave Hoodia extract-steroidal glycosides, called P57 - to laboratory animals and found that it affects nerve cells in the hypothalamus that monitor blood glucose. Essentially, the brain is tricked into thinking that it has enough blood sugar that it needs to convert into energy and doesn't need any more. A sense of satiety is produced and the hunger mechanism is shut down - which means that when you take the capsules, the neurons in your brain fire, sending you the signal that you're full and don't need, or want to eat.

Guaraná

As noted above guaraná contains caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline all three in addition to stimulating the metabolism also, are effective appetite suppressants.

Attention dieters:
Weight loss occurs when a person burns more calories than s/he ingests. Therefore, eating less, eating right, and exercising are essential to your weight loss program. Easier said than done! Additionally, it is important to focus on fat loss as opposed to just weight loss, since nobody has a reason to want to lose lean muscle tissue. The products we offer can be a valuable aid in your effort, if used responsibly. Our customers who heed this advice invariable succeed and often report to us that our products were helpful to them. Remember, it is impossible to "lose weight overnight" in a healthy manner. Permanent, healthy weight loss takes time and dedication. Good luck, we know you can do it!