Relacore Review: Does Relacore Really Work?

Relacore is yet another product (similar to Cortislim, CortiStress and Cortidrene) that claims weight gain is the result of excess stress, and believe it or not, not even your fault. This, from the Relacore Web site...

"Excess stomach flab is not your fault. That's the startling conclusion reached by scientists who discovered stress is the likely cause of belly bulge."

And later...

"Simply stated, a bulging midsection is not your fault… it’s the harmful combination of everyday stress, overeating, and excess cortisol… all conspiring to keep you overweight, tired, and thick around the middle."

Boy, oh boy, wouldn't the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) like to see this. Comments like this are what galvanize these two agencies into action -- just recently the FDA warned 16 manufacturers of weight loss supplements for making exaggerated, unsubstantiated claims about their products.

And Acting FDA Commissioner Lester M. Crawford could well have been talking about Relacore when he said...

"These products give unfounded hope to people who are attempting to lose weight. False and misleading claims have significant health consequences to individuals that may be overweight because these products do not produce the desired results..."

However, as with most fat burners, there is a germ of truth behind the Relacore pitch. It all centers around the body's stress hormone, cortisol...

Cortisol is the body's main stress hormone, and is required for many vital purposes -- proper glucose metabolism, blood pressure, immune function and inflammatory response are a few.

In times of stress, either mental or physical, the body can produce an excessive amount of cortisol. At these high levels, cortisol is a nasty little number indeed.

It can negatively affect cognitive performance, suppress thyroid function, foster blood sugar imbalances and the subsequent deposition of body fat, decrease bone density, as well as other things. Athletes don't like cortisol, as it is catabolic -- i.e., muscle-wasting, rather than anabolic -- i.e., muscle building.

Bottom line?

Excess cortisol levels may indeed be *somewhat* responsible for excess fat deposition and weight gain, no doubt about it (you'll see why I say "somewhat" a little later on).

OK, now back to Relacore. The main ingredient, as it pertains to cortisol control, is Magnolia bark. From our glossary...

"The bark of Magnolia officinalis - which is used in Chinese traditional medicine (houpu) to treat lung and intestinal disorders.

Magnolia bark extracts contain honokiol and magnolol, which are considered to be the active ingredients.

Magnolia bark extracts have anti-depressant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-bacterial activity in animal and cell culture experiments.

Standardized magnolia bark extracts are used in certain weight loss supplements to improve mood and reduce the potential for stress-related eating.

A human study on a proprietary blend of Magnolia and Phellodendron extracts (Relora), demonstrated modest improvements in the subjects' cortisol levels and eating in response to stress.

Magnolia bark extract is also being used in breath mints and chewing gum, due to its efficacy in reducing mouth bacteria responsible for halitosis (bad breath)."

The good news, as you can see, is that Magnolia barkdoes have some "de-stressing" qualities, and yes, it may even help you to lose weight, although the conclusion of the study (Altern Ther Health Med. 2006 Jan-Feb;12(1):50-4) indicates it seems to work a little differently than the retailers of Relacore suggest...

"The results of this pilot clinical study indicate that obese subjects who eat in response to stress may benefit from taking a dietary supplement ingredient containing proprietary extracts of M officinalis and P amurense. The mechanism of action appears to be through reduction of cortisol levels and possibly perceived stress, thereby helping participants maintain body weight."

And remember, this study was performed on magnolia bark and phellodendron exta together; not magnolia bark on its own.

However, even if Magnolia bark is an effective "de-stressor", that's a far cry from saying you're actually going to lose weight with this stuff.

Most people don't gain weight simply because they are stressed (although for some, stress does equate with overeating).

While it is arguable that stress does play a role in weight gain, it is one that is secondary to sedentary lifestyles and excessive calorie consumption.

It is a serious "oversimplification" to suggest that "stress keeps us fat".

It's also greatly misleading, since it does not take into account the other major factors that have contributed to the obesity crisis over the last several decades.

Actually, I am very surprised that Relacore has not yet found itself in major trouble with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Several similiar products (CortiSlim and CortiStress) have already been forced to pay huge fines for making false and unsubstantiated claims (click here to view the FTC press release).

Bottom line?

While I think it would be interesting to experiment with the stress-reducing effects of Magnolia bark, I would strongly warn against expecting weight loss miracles from Relacore.

As if to confirm this, a large number of visitors who have written in about their experiences with Relacore were very happy with it.

For the most part, they found it useful as a "mood regulator", with one visitor even calling it her "happy pill." On the other hand however, very few visitors who commented on Relacore found it helpful for weight loss.

If you'd like to experiment with the mood-moderating effects of magnolia, check out NOW brand's Relora from iHerb.com (use the coupon code FAT259 to get $5 off your first order).

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