Weight Loss Patches

By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated on 11/19/2007 at 03:05PM

Advertisements for weight loss patches are abundant in magazines, on TV commercials, and on the Internet. But what are these products made from, how should they be used and do they actually work? If you’re curious about weight loss patches, here’s what you need to know to help you decide if they are the right weight loss aid for you.

What Are Weight Loss Patches?

A weight loss patch is a product designed to be worn on the wrist, arm, or some other smooth part of the body, just like a band-aid. The herbs and other ingredients in the patch are then absorbed into the skin where they supposedly make their way into the blood stream and allow the user to lose weight. The exact ingredients differ from one product to the next.

The most common ingredient included in many weight loss patches is Fucus Vesiculosus, a species of marine algae found off the Brittany Coast and also known as natural seaweed. Manufacturers and retailers of weight loss patches claim that the iodine contained in the Fucus Vesiculosus gently stimulates the thyroid gland, thereby boosting the metabolism and aiding in the breakdown of fatty tissues. Weight loss patches are advertised to allow you to eat less, full fuller, and quickly lose weight.

How Are Weight Loss Patches Used?

Most weight loss patches follow the same instructional procedure. Apply the patch anywhere on the body, making sure the area where the patch is applied is clean and dry. The skin should be free of any lotions, creams or oils for the best adhesion. The upper back (directly between the shoulder blades) is often recommended as the most effective spot for applying the weight loss patch. In order to avoid rashes and skin irritation, most companies recommend that you place the patch in a different spot, each time you apply a new one.

Do Weight Loss Patches Work?

Weight loss patches claim to help you burn fat and lose weight quickly and easily. But do they really work? In the United Kingdom, Fucus Vesiculosus has been researched more thoroughly than in the United States. One manufacturer of weight loss patches claims that the UK Medicines Control Agency has listed Fucus Vesiculosus as a suitable active ingredient “for oral administration in herbal medicines, with a medical claim for the treatment of obesity.”

Buyer Beware…

The Federal Trade Commission is very strict when it comes to the bogus weight-loss claims made by disreputable diet and supplement companies. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission sued a diet patch manufacturer and a retailer that marketed the patch directly to Spanish-speaking consumers. The Federal Trade Commission brought forth two separate federal court actions charging that the companies involved had falsely claimed that the skin patch causes substantial weight loss. In both cases the Federal Trade Commission also challenged the claims that were made regarding the efficacy of the patch’s main ingredient, sea kelp. In particular, the FTC took issue with the company that falsely claimed that the sea kelp was approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a weight loss product.

About the Author

Dr. Edward F. Group III continues to develop, sell and evaluate exclusively high-end natural and organic healthcare products to support a wide range of health conditions. The products we promote are free of toxic tag-along herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, heavy metals, fumigants, irradiation, liver-toxic glues, binders, or gelatin capsules with animal-source risk and toxic preservatives.

For all of your weight loss and obesity needs, natural remedies, tips, products, support forums and more please visit us at www.weightlossobesity.com or www.slimirex.com.