Americans are getting fatter; 66 percent of Americans weigh too much and 33 percent of those are clinically obese, meaning their body mass index is over 30, according to the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders. Many people hoping to lose weight look to natural supplements and over-the-counter drugs for a formula that can help them lose weight easily and safely. Relora, an over-the-counter herbal preparation, claims to increase weight loss by reducing stress levels.
Definition
Relora blends Chinese herbs made from two plant extracts, Magnolia officinalis, or magnolia, and Phellodendron amurense, or philodendron bark, in a pill. The exact formula and amounts of each plant is not published.
Purpose
Relora's manufacturers claim the supplement decreases stress levels by balancing hormone levels of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA. Cortisol levels increase when a person becomes stressed and DHEA decreases. Decreasing cortisol levels and increasing DHEA, proponents of the formula claim, decreases stress levels, leading to a decrease in stress eating. The drug claims only to affect stress eating and does not claim to be an appetite suppressant.
Dose
The recommended dose of Relora for weight loss is 250 mg three times a day, taken orally, The Healthier Life suggests. Pregnant women, women who might become pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take Relora, Bellaonline advises.
Effectiveness
There are no published studies on the effectiveness of Relora for weight loss, the University of Michigan Health System website states.
Side Effects
The main known side effect of Relora is drowsiness, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center's website. Don't drive or operate machinery until you know how the drug affects you, and don't take any other sedatives or drink alcohol when taking Relora, since the combination may worsen drowsiness. Dry mouth, nausea and headaches occur in some people, according to BellaOnline. Mild diarrhea can also occur, The Healthier Life reports. However, clinical trials have not been done on the drug, so other side effects may also occur. As with any drug, discuss any unusual symptoms while taking the drug with your medical practitioner.
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