Relacore to reduce Abdominal Fat/Increase Energy/Boost Immune System by Controlling Cortisol ?- INA

[jmjm530]

Saw a TV ad for "Relacore" and visited a few web sites.

In short, apparently some recent university studies show a relationship between the stress hormone, Cortisol, and abdominal fat -- the kind of fat that increases the risks of heart attacks.

Relacore and similiar acting products like Cortidrene, Therastress, Cortislim, etc. claim to reduce abdominal fat by controlling the stress hormone cortisone partly through a mild sedative effect of one of its active ingredients, Magnolia Bark.

Since treatment I've noticed a worsening lipid profile as well as more of a propensity for fat to accumulate on my abdomen than pre-treatment. My liver specialist recently admitted that interferon is know to accelerate the metabolic syndrome which is responsible for higher triglicerides, type II diabetes, abdominal fat and a host of other not so good stuff. Therefore my interest in Relacore or similar supplements. I flagged "Ina" (moniker Eisbein) because I believe she recently mentioned doing some research on stress hormones.

Here are some sites from a quick "Google". I know most of them are selling something but would like to get anyone's experience and/or comments. Or at least your take on the list of ingredients, whether anything is good, harmful, etc.

http://www.relacore.tv/ingredients.html
http://www.carter-reedcompany.com/relacore/
http://stress-related-weight-gain.equalitynutrition.com/?source=google/relacore

Any input appreciated.

-- Jim

[nygirl7]

Oh Lord.  No wonder I'm gainning weight since I've stopped treatment. I'm not eating any more than I ever had and I'm working out at the gym 3 days a week and at home the other 4 without the machines...........yet...........although it's never happened in all my life..I'm gainning weight.

I never really thought that it could be some after treatment effect - I was really wondering if it was my thyroid (which should be fine because I've been taking the synthroid all along).

Man oh man.

[SandyBreeze]

I find this subject - - metabolic issues/interferon extremely interesting (not too mention unsettling/disturbing).  Present treatment is powerful treatment!  Of course it must be, if our own immune system is unable to fight off this fiesty virus - it has to be something powerful.  

This information (post treatment difficulties) continues to confirm my desire to 'hold off' treatment.  I'll be back later this evening , Jim, to find the 'supplement thread' and looking forward to reading "HR".   I believe I've schemed over the supplement thread but will read it again before talking with the hepatologist.  Thank you very much for directing me to both.   This is still new, so if I appear to be obsessing, it is only temporary and do not plan to be a permanent fixture!. LOL! Reading that some have been here for years frightens me a bit :(  and hopefully in speaking with the hepatologists later this week, he can put my mind at ease and advise, I can safely put this behind me for a good time period and continue to live a content happy life until something comes along that is a shorter treatment.  I fear all of it will be STRONG treatment, and will come at a price to our overall health .. the virus is mighty.

Breeze ;)

[jmjm530]

Sandy,

I just became aware of the product last night and trying to get the collective wisdom of the group both as to how the product might work as well as the benefit/toxicity profile of the individual components you mention.  As you may have noticed in the thread "Supplements" on "3/2" , we have several members somewhat knowledgeable about vitamins/supplements. Certainly more knowledgeable than I. We also have an occasional visitor here, an MD/researcher who believes in supplements. His moniker is "Hepatitisresearcher" (we call him "HR" for short).

Researching out individual components is always wise, however in many cases, controlled double-blind studies simply do not exist and therefor one has to rely more on less complete studies and anecdotal accounts than would be ideal.

In regard to your comment about "exercise" and "good food" before supplements, etc. I laughed a bit, because it sounds like something I said very early on in treatment in one of these threads. Not that I still don't agree with the statment, but it's not an either-or with me and others (not that I'm suggesting that was your message), but an addition. I try and carefully watch my diet and am now doing an hour of aerobic exercise daily plus weight and flexibility training. I still have metabolic issues, some no doubt made worse from the interferon, and therefore the quest to learn a little more about vitamins, supplements, etc.

Unfortunatly, some try and turn these threads into soap boxes regarding supplements in general without, adding any additional useful information like you did. Hopefully this thread will not head in that direction. Personally, I am very careful and skeptical about the whole vitamin/supplement thing, but at the same time have come to believe that somewhere in there are some very helpful substances that we can benefit from. A lot to learn.

Tall,

Thanks for the information. Glad you're taking good care of your husband! High cholesterol is def one of my problems and the interferon has made it worse. There happens to be a thread on this at the Janis site.

-- Jim

[Tallahassee]

I've noticed niacinamid in a chemical profile of your supplement / medicine.  I know with any sort of liver damage you have to limit this vitamin (B3).

Another suggestion ... I "prescribed" to my husband lecithin granules... couple times per day / 1 tsp of granules.  I'm not sure if it is helping or anything else ... but with 1/2 of Vytorin dose he is able to keep his cholesterol under control (believe me, his diet is cholesterol unfriendly!)

All the best!!

[SandyBreeze]

Hi Jim,

Have you actually taken each individual substance and researched each separately in the mean time?  Of course, understanding the impact may be differently alone, opposed to a combination state...   I haven't googled the product or any of its individual components but that's a beginning that you've most likely taken.  Anything worth sharing?

As you, I would be  hesitant in using a product making such claims and containing so many different substances, especially with any history of liver disease.  - No matter what their 'claims' might be.  It is good to see your being cautious (skeptical - it iis ONLY our bodies!)

Breeze

[SandyBreeze]

Enjoyed both of your comments.

I am relatively new  to all of this.  Diagnosed, genotyped, biopsied, &  viral loaded ;)  - - the whole nine yards in a little over a month.  AND HAVEN'T EVEN CONSULTED WITH THE HEPATOLOGIST... only his STAFF!!  Yes, an appointment is scheduled later this week.  Perhaps, my knowledge is too limited to be adding here.. something keeps ringing out so LOUD to me upon reading comments at MedHelp...... ahh...

Must say I'm healthy as a  mikesimon horse and/or a wyntre9 parrot!  Being one with a very healthy appetitie for good food (and NO, I'm NOT vegetarian!) a 'few' supplement (not a cabinet-ful as DoubleDose <:0)), doing fun activities, and an 'enjoyable' workout plan  - my point?  In my humble opinion without a lot of study on my part, but what works for me, is PHYSICAL EXERCISE!!!!!  It needs/must be on the top of the list BEFORE supplements. (As many here say >>>IMHO<<<)   If one is lacking in discipline in that area, NOTHING will work (as well) - that is my very humble opinion.  We can talk until we're blue about supplements (Not to mention the biz and who is benefiting... I suspect it is usually someone's pocket and not the other's health!)  There are beneficial products and it does appear most of you are doing your homework.  Consumer beware.  You'd be better dusting and reuniting with the old rusty bike! (The kind you pedal)