Abstract: Eurycoma longifolia is used for reducing cortisol levels and raising testosterone levels in persons under stress. A method for promoting weight reduction includes administering to a human having a caloric deficit an effective dose of Eurycoma longifolia for reducing cortisol levels and raising testosterone levels relative to respective cortisol and testosterone levels that would result in the absence of the administration of the Eurycoma longifolia. A method for promoting improved endurance aerobic performance in a human includes administering, within thirty minutes before aerobic exercise or during the aerobic exercise, to a human subject an effective dose of Eurycoma longifolia for reducing cortisol levels and raising testosterone levels in the human subject relative to respective cortisol and testosterone levels that would result in the absence of the administration of the Eurycoma longifolia.

Abstract: A therapeutically effective dose of polymethoxylated flavones, for example in the form of citrus peel extract, is provided for reducing the typical rise in cortisol levels in a mammal undergoing weight loss. The polymethoxylated flavones may include one or more of tangeretin, nobiletin, and sinensetin. The polymethoxylated flavones may be administered in any of a variety of known modes of administrations such as oral and topical.