Magnolia.

Stress, sleeplessness, and weight gain often occur together, and recent studies suggest that these common problems are deeply inter-related in a triad of metabolic dysregulation that has profoundly negative health consequences.

Consider the data from a study involving a cohort of 6,115 people between the ages of 32–59. Those who slept only 2–4 hours a night were 73% more likely to be obese than normal sleepers who averaged 7–9 hours of sleep per night. Those who got an average of 5 hours per night were 50% more likely to be obese, and those who slept 6 hours were 23% more likely to be obese.

In contrast, those who got 10 or more hours were 11% less likely to be obese than the people in the 7–9 hour stratum (Taheri S, et al. Short sleep duration is associated with reduced leptin, elevated ghrelin, and increased body mass index. PLoS Med. 2004; 1(3): e62).

The Leptin-Cortisol Connection

The precise mechanisms underlying what seems to be a strong correlation between insomnia and overweight have yet to be fully elucidated. One possible explanation relates to activation of the hypothalamus, which is involved in appetite regulation. As the amount of sleep decreases, so does the amount of leptin produced in the brain. Decreased leptin, in turn, may cause the body to crave more foods during the day.

Considering that before the invention of the light bulb, people slept an average of 10 hours every night, the link between sleeplessness and weight gain may partially explain the prevalence of overweight in America and other industrialized nations.

To be sure, increased production of cortisol in response to stress also plays an important role. Most people have experienced stressful thoughts that race through their heads and keep them awake at night. What few people realize is that the stress that they are under causes an actual physiological response that keeps our bodies and minds from falling asleep.

When we are stressed over prolonged periods, the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis becomes overactive and produces stress hormones, specifically cortisol. Normally, this hormone is the highest in the morning and then decreases throughout the day until it is lowest at bedtime. However, when a person is exposed to chronic stressors, the cortisol levels surge at inappropriate times. Some researchers have hypothesized that sustained high levels of cortisol may also cause weight gain.

The process often becomes a vicious cycle: lack of sleep adds to an individual’s stress because they are progressively less able to function well and effectively manage the ordinary day-to-day tasks and stressors. Further, many people compensate for stress by over-eating. The sense of satiety and the glucose excursions that follow heavy eating become sources of pleasure during their otherwise stressful and difficult days.

Magnolia & Phellodendron: Herbal Allies in Breaking the Cycle

The good news is that a combination of Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense, two herbs commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine, can be very helpful in reducing anxiety, restoring normal sleep patterns, and simultaneously, helping patients lose weight.

In a recent clinical trial, 40 overweight women, aged 25–50 years, with histories of anxiety and stress-related eating, were randomized to treatment with placebo or 750 mg per day of Relora, a proprietary fixed combination of Magnolia and Phellodendron recently brought to market by Next Pharmaceuticals (www.nextpharmaceuticals.com). This product was shown in prior studies to reduce anxiety and control weight gain (Garrision B, Chambliss W. Effect of a proprietary Magnolia and Phellodendron extract on weight management: A pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Alternative Therapies. Jan/Feb 2006; 12(1): 50–54).

The women were evaluated at baseline and followed for 6 weeks, with repeat evaluations after the 3rd and 6th week. The variables measured included mood & stress, cortisol levels, macronutrient intake, appetite, dietary restraint, and sleep ratings.

Based on total scores on the Spielberger Trait & Anxiety Index, the women in the Relora group were significantly improved when compared to the placebo group. Those taking Relora showed a statistically significant two-fold average reduction in sleep latency time (Kalman D, Feldman S, Krieger D. A randomized double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial of Relora in the management of stress in healthy overweight females. Program/Abstract #233.2, FASEB 2006).

There also appeared to be a weight-control effect from the herbal combination: after 6 weeks, those on placebo showed a measurable gain in weight from baseline, while those on Relora did not. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant. There were no significant adverse side effects associated with Relora, though the patients taking the herbal supplement did show a decrease in systolic blood pressure of about 5 mmHg. In contrast, those in the placebo group had a slight increase in systolic pressure. This suggests a potential secondary benefit of Relora therapy, which needs to be borne out in future studies. The findings were presented in April at the annual meeting of the Federation of American Societies of Experimental Biology (FASEB).

The new studies build on two earlier home-use trials. In the first, 50 individuals with high stress levels took Relora daily for two weeks. Post trial analysis revealed that 82% felt the herbal therapy helped control mild anxiety and alleviate associated symptoms, including poor sleep. Seventy-eight percent of the patients reported increased relaxation, and 74% reported improvements in restful sleep. No clinically important side effects were associated with the herbs, though 24% percent of subjects reported drowsiness.

In the second trial, 49 people with high stress levels and histories of eating more sweets under stress were given Relora daily for two weeks. Post trial analysis revealed that there was a dramatic and consistent decline (76%) in the type of high calorie/high fat foods the subjects ate. The largest drops were seen in candy and sweets followed by salty snacks like chips. Eighty-four percent of the subjects reported more restful sleep, and the vast majority found that Relora helped them relax without causing them to feel drowsy.

Overall, the research to date suggests that Relora may be causing a reduction in nocturnal cortisol levels, leading to a decrease in sleep latency, and lower stress and anxiety levels—all of which may be preventing “stress-eaters” from gaining weight. It appears that this herbal combination can confer multiple benefits that are well suited to the needs of sleep-deprived Americans who lead stressful lives.