Greg Cynaumon, who is the face of Cortislim, has reaped big bucks from running this alleged scam. According to the LA Times story, in addition to his royalty cut, Cynaumon also got a commission on the advertising time that he purchased for Cortislim, which could have netted him upwards of an additional $160,000 per month for the year of 2004.
By the way, Cynaumon – to say the least - has a checkered past and, among other personal red flags, has been fined for improperly calling himself “doctor,” which he clearly is not. Visit real Doctor Gary Adams' web site to learn more about this guy.
The money behind this scheme came from Stephen and Thomas Cheng, who in the mid-1990s were considered by the Feds to be the largest bootleggers of music CDs in the United States. Oh, and they were busted for it.
The developer of Cortislim, Dr. Shawn Talbott, who by all accounts is a legit scientist, sold the rights to his formula for a royalty based on net sales. However, Dr. Talbott was asked to resign from his legit employer, the University of Utah, when the Feds filed their lawsuit…and because the University said Talbott never actually ran any clinical trials to determine if his concoction actually worked…Oops.
Friends don’t let friends buy Cortislim.
Edited: bhw
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!