Weight Loss Patches: Miracle or Scam?
By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated on 11/19/2007 at 03:05PM
The Latest in Weight Loss Patches
Just take a quick peek at a popular women's magazine or the Internet, and you will likely find a slew of weight loss patches, all promising amazing results. These products are heavily promoted, readily available, and instantly alluring to the millions of Americans who are trying to lose weight. They make numerous, yet similar claims such as the ability to "melt 30 pounds in 30 days." But these deceptive claims rarely live up to their promises. Here are a few of the most common brands:
- Hydro-Gel Slim Patch
- Body Science Slimming Patch
- Bell EZEE Slimming Patch
- My Diet Patch
- Crave Control Patch
- The Diet Patch
- Medex Diet Patch
- The Power Patch
- Peel Away The Pounds Diet Patch
Too Good to Be True?
Many weight loss patches claim to produce amazing results in as little as a few days or weeks. If this were the case, it would be an amazing medical breakthrough that could easily cure the epidemic of obesity and wipe out illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers. Do you really think that if such a product existed, it would be relegated to the back page of a magazine? Real breakthroughs in medicine are unusual. But when they do occur, they are splashed over national headlines and reported in scientific journals.
Most serious health conditions can't be cured or treated overnight either. Obesity and weight gain are not disastrous, but nor can they be fixed in one day or even a few weeks.
The FDA Weighs In
The US Food and Drug Administration recently investigated a weight loss patch company. They unequivocally found that the weight loss patch was not effective at helping people lose weight. The claims made by the manufacturer were completely without basis. Here are a few excerpts from their investigation…
"The patches, sold as part of a kit with appetite-control claims, have not been shown to be safe and effective, nor do they have approval from the Food and Drug Administration. But they mimic legitimate prescription "transdermal" patches used to deliver drugs through the skin for such conditions as motion sickness."
"In recent weeks, the FDA has learned of claims to consumers that these patches were FDA-approved or met FDA standards. As a result, FDA issued a statement to consumers clarifying that the patches were not endorsed by the FDA. The agency said that, in fact, no nonprescription patch delivering drugs or other substances through the skin had been approved by FDA."
"The makers of the nonprescription patches risked marketing them without studies to demonstrate their safety and effectiveness, and without FDA approval."
Should You Try A Weight Loss Patch?
Weight loss patches are a scam product that will only serve to thin your wallet. But if you've tried everything else, could it really hurt to just give it a try? Dietary supplements that make outrageous claims are not only dangerous to your finances, but to your health as well.
Generally speaking, dietary supplements are not subject to the same federal laws that regulate medications. Therefore, they can make any kind of claim, as long as they don't claim to be able to diagnose or treat a disease. Still, many of these products will offer small print disclaimers at the bottom of the Web page or magazine ad.
Is There A Better Way To Lose Weight?
Your best bet for getting sound weight loss advice is to talk to your health care provider. He or she can give objective advice and rule out any serious medical conditions. Your doctor can recommend a weight loss plan and exercise routine that will work for you for long-term results. There is only one dietary supplement of any scientific value, which I personally recommend, and that’s Slimirex™.
By far, the healthiest approach to weight loss will not be found in a patch. No crash diet or miracle cure will work in the long run. Eating a well-balanced diet based on whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and incorporating exercise into your daily routine are two of the best ways to lose weight and keep it off for good. And be reasonable about the time it takes to lose weight the right way. Most experts suggest aiming for a weight loss goal of about one pound a week.
Other tips: For all of your weight loss and obesity needs, including natural remedies, tips, products, support forums, the life changing eBook “Ten Super Secrets to Weight Loss” and much more, please visit us at www.weightlossobesity.com or www.slimirex.com.
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.
