Expert: Laura Kraemer RN,BSN,CPN - 2/1/2005

Question
My 16-year-old daughter has asked me to allow her to try Cortislim.  She is 5 foot 6 and weighs 155 pounds.  She is an active cheerleader but enjoys food, like her mother.  She is interested in Cortislim because it "targets the midsection" which is where she seems to carry the bulk of her weight.  Besides the old saying, "I said no and I'm your mother," I would like to give her some information backing my decision.  I would prefer to see her use a more trusted way to get this under control, but she does get exercise with the cheerleading.  I just don't trust these types of products.  Can you help?

Answer
Dear Trish,
The January 05 Good Housekeeping actually tested some diet aids that just don't work, Cortislim being one of them. Cortislim suggests that weight gain is caused by an increase in the stress hormone cortisol and that by taking the vitamin supplement Cortislim, you can control this hormone. Cortislim actually got in trouble by the FTC for making false and unsubtantiated claims, hence the new sales pitch you now hear on commercials. The new sales pitch is for the Cortislim lifestyle which is a combination of healthy eating and exercise and of course the vitamin supplement Cortislim. So tell your daughter to continue daily exercise, keep her daily calories to 1500-1800 per day and be patient. A food journal will help keep her on track. For weight control, tell her there is no magic supplement, only hard work and motivation. Laura Kraemer,Slimkids.com