Cortislim is still selling like hotcakes despite the fact that the Federal Trade Commission AND the Food and Drug Administration have forbidden Cortislim’s makers from making any claims that the product works. How can this be?!?
Over the past two years – almost immediately after the info-mercials hit the airwaves – Cortislim has been under scrutiny, first by concerned citizens like Doctor Gary Adams and myself, and then by the Feds.
And you can click here to read my seminal piece on Cortislim that was posted on this site back in March.
Anyway, a recent front page article in the Los Angeles Times has shed some more light on the seedy characters and the sordid details that are responsible for the Cortislim debacle.
But before I get into some of the “personnel” issues here, I want to repeat this amazing fact: since the FDA and the FTC have said that the makers of Cortislim have to stop making claims that their product works, the product has continued to sell at a record pace.
For the year of 2004 Cortislim generated $200 million in sales, and according to an info-mercial expert, this could translate into anywhere from $20-$60 million dollars in profit.
This situation illustrates just how gullible the American public has become. People are still spending $50 a bottle on a weight-loss supplement that doesn’t stand on one legitimate claim of efficacy.
And deceptive advertising can no longer be blamed for these sales, as the Feds have told these hucksters to change their advertising and that they can no longer make any claims as to any weight loss benefits!
To paraphrase P.T. Barnum, “At least $200 million worth of suckers are born every year.”
Maybe people need to hear a little more about the people who are behind this swindle so as to not continue to enrich them.
Article comments
1 - RJ
It's kinda understandable how people get fooled, though.
They walk into a CVS or a WALGREENS and there are all these vitamins and minerals and other legit health care products. And there are even pharmacists there will legit prescription drugs.
And then they come across Cortislim, which they have probably heard of before, and has been endorsed by various celebrities (particularly on radio).
And they see it is selling for a lot of money, which somehow translates into increased credibility with many people.
And then they read the claims on the bottle, about how all you have to do is take some pills and your extra pounds will practically melt off.
So, you can see how the uninformed could be misled.
And that's why you are doing an important public service with your writings on the topic.
2 - Victor Plenty
Even if the Feds made them use blank bottles with nothing more than the brand name "Cortislim" on the label in generic lettering, people would still understand the product is being marketed with an implied promise of weight loss results.
If the Feds want to make sure nobody is fooled by scams like this, they will (at bare minimum) need to prevent these snake oil products from using any brand name containing any word like "slim" or "trim" or the like.
Even then, stealth marketing campaigns might still inform people about "Herbal Dietary Supplement #32872" being the hottest new weight-loss thing. When millions of people are desperate to lose weight, they are primed to fall prey to all manner of hoaxes and swindles.
3 - Jill
You guys need a real issue to get behind. Maybe Bush and the war in Iraq? Or genocide in Sudan?
There are far more pressing troubles in the world than Cortislim -- which many like *based on usage.* E.g., people take it, they like it, so they buy it again. There are many repeat sales in this manner. Not because these consumers are stupid dupes who need your protection (goodness, you are arrogant!), but because they had a positive experience with it. This is probably because supplements are far less dangerous than your typical pharmaceutical product, with gads of side effects that create worse problems than they were meant to solve. But I digress.
In the world of herbs and supplements, testing is not required and is not de rigueur. There's no "oops" about Dr. Talbot not testing it. And, he has conducted at least 2 studies in the past year.
I have no stake in Cortislim, but I feel badly for Dr. Talbott. He came up with his formula sincerely, far in advance of ever conceiving marketing it. He sits on several peer-reviewed nutrition journals. He is a solid scientist, a fine athlete, and a good guy.
I am far more worried about the role of pharmaceutical companies in the world and their products than I am of herbs and supplements in general. Think of all the docs out there passing out HRT to women, whether they need it or not (and it's poison for most). That's mainstream medicine, and it's frightening. What about Vioxx?? Sheesh. Worry about something real, for crying out loud.
You guys are dupes of a hype campaign against Cortislim which is not much different than the hype campaign -for- Cortislim. Ironic! You are what you hate. Accept it, buster.
4 - Omni Temporal
Jill, aren't there some more pressing issues for you to be spending your valuable time on? There's a big bad world out there, you know? I recommend the Bigfoot post.
5 - Victor Plenty
I doubt Bigfoot needs or wants any Cortislim.
6 - Omni Temporal
Are you kidding? Bigfoot is a big slob. He should slim down to about 550 or so. He's gotten spoiled by all the tourists' throwaways up there in Manitoba.
7 - SUE
I WENT TO HIGHSCHOOL WITH DR. TALBOT. HE WAS A VERY SINCERE,DOWN TO EARTH NICE GUY AND VERY INTELLIGENT .I TRULY BELIEVE HE WANTS TO HELP PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH OBESITY. HE'S NOT THE TYPE OF GUY TO SCAM ANYONE. IN HIS BOOK, HE GIVES OUT USEFUL INFORMATION AND SHARES HIS KNOWLEDGE ABOUT STRESS AND WHAT IT CAN DO TO YOUR BODY.
8 - DrPat
As we now see, "slim" and "trim" in the name is not necessary -- it can just "sound like"...
Leptoprin, Leptopril...
Anyone remember the boomer-boosted Metrocal? Or the AYDS candy, caramels that melted pounds away?
9 - phyllis
If the feds are against it, it must be a good product. There are many thousands of products out there that claim to reduce body fat and none of them work. Isn't it strange that the feds don't sue any of them? What about all the products at GNC, etc.? They don't work and the feds let them stay in business. Somethings up with that. Think for yourself!