Keto Belly Patch: Does It Really Work?

Weight loss patches are a new trend in the diet industry. They are adhesive patches that are applied to the skin, typically over the area where the user wants to lose weight. The patches supposedly work by releasing active ingredients that are absorbed into the skin and bloodstream. However, there is limited evidence to support the effectiveness of weight loss patches, and they are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While some people may have lost weight while using these patches, there is a lack of rigorous clinical research to back up their efficacy and safety.

What is the keto belly patch?

The keto belly patch is a weight-loss solution designed as an adhesive patch for direct application to the skin. These patches are intended to gradually release their ingredients over time, claiming to aid in weight loss. The potential ingredients in these patches include cassia seeds, hawthorn, Poria mushroom, Chinese skullcap, and bitter orange, according to the manufacturer's assertions.

Users are instructed to attach the patches to a specific area of their skin, allowing the purported weight-loss components to be absorbed gradually. It is important to note that these claims are made by the manufacturer and should be approached with a critical mindset. While some users may find the concept of a patch-based weight-loss solution convenient, it is essential to understand that individual results may vary.

The keto belly patch is intended to work transdermally, which means the active ingredients go directly into the skin, bypassing the digestive system. This is the key difference between patches and oral supplements in pill or powder form. Common ingredients found in these patches include Japanese mint, green tea extract, green coffee bean extract, and bitter orange. They also may include essential oils and other moisturising ingredients for the skin. The instructions generally advise leaving a patch on for six to eight hours and using it three to four times per week.

Weight loss patches are not regulated by the FDA, so there is no way of knowing exactly what is in these products. There is also no scientific evidence supporting the weight loss claims of the keto belly patch. Additionally, there are negative customer reviews citing adverse reactions and a lack of results.

How does it work?

The keto belly patch is a weight-loss solution designed as adhesive patches for direct application to the skin. These patches are intended to gradually release their ingredients over time, claiming to aid in weight loss. The potential ingredients in these patches include cassia seeds, hawthorn, Poria mushroom, Chinese skullcap, and bitter orange, according to the manufacturer’s assertions.

Users are instructed to attach the patches to a specific area of their skin, allowing the purported weight-loss components to be absorbed gradually. The patches supposedly work by releasing active ingredients from an embedded delivery system onto the skin’s surface. Then, the skin must absorb the particles of the active ingredient to allow them to enter the person’s bloodstream.

The keto belly patch is intended to work transdermally, which means the active ingredients go directly into the skin, bypassing the digestive system. This is the key difference between patches and oral supplements in pill or powder form.

However, it is important to note that researchers have not studied the efficacy and safety of weight loss patches. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate their manufacture, and there is no scientific evidence supporting the weight loss claims of the keto belly patch.

What are the ingredients?

The ingredients in weight loss patches vary by brand, but some common ingredients include:

• Green tea extract: This ingredient may help with weight loss and weight management, but it is not a magic solution. While generally safe, green tea weight loss supplements have led to liver damage in rare cases.
• Green coffee bean extract: This extract comes from raw coffee beans that haven't been roasted. They contain chlorogenic acid, which a 2019 study found could significantly decrease body weight without severe adverse effects. However, the study focused on daily consumption of at least 300 mg of chlorogenic acid over 12 weeks, and it was not administered via patch.
• Hokuto mint (also known as Japanese mint or corn mint): This ingredient contains menthol, which gives off a minty smell. Sellers often claim that it works by blocking the body's absorption of sugars and starches, preventing them from being stored as fat. However, there is no research to support these claims, according to Dr. Charlie Seltzer, a weight loss physician and exercise physiologist.
• Bitter orange extract: This extract is found in citrus fruits such as Seville oranges and contains synephrine, a stimulant similar to ephedrine. Bitter orange extract patch manufacturers claim it can suppress appetite, burn fat, and help burn more calories. However, a 2017 study concluded that these effects are minimal and further research is needed.
• Ashwagandha: This ancient herb has been shown to potentially help alleviate stress and anxiety, which can lead to mindless eating. While it can reduce levels of cortisol (the "stress hormone"), it is not guaranteed to help with weight loss.
• Ephedra: Also known as ephedrine, this ingredient has been banned by the FDA for use in diet and sports supplements due to serious health risks such as heart attack and stroke.
• Garcinia cambogia: Derived from the fruit of the Malabar tamarind tree, this ingredient is used as a food preservative and flavouring agent. It has been used in weight loss products due to claims that it can block the body's ability to produce fat and suppress appetite in the short term. However, a 2022 study found only a minimal difference in body weight in those taking garcinia cambogia. It may also produce side effects such as headaches, nausea, or acute liver injury.
• Flaxseed oil: Flaxseeds contain fibre, which can make you feel full, and omega-3 fatty acids, which can work as an anti-inflammatory. However, since weight loss patches are unregulated, a flaxseed oil patch may contain other ingredients that could have side effects.
• Fucus vesiculosus: This type of brown seaweed is said to help with weight loss by promoting healthy thyroid function. However, it may affect your thyroid negatively and could worsen existing thyroid conditions. It may also make it harder for your blood to clot and potentially contains heavy metals that could be toxic in large amounts.
• Guarana or yerba mate: These herbs contain caffeine, which can boost energy and, according to patch manufacturers, help burn more calories and melt fat. However, consuming too much caffeine can cause anxiety, nausea, headaches, increased heart rate, and sleep interference.
• L-carnitine: This amino acid is found in high-protein foods like red meat, poultry, milk, and beans. It helps move fatty acids into cells, where they can be burned for energy. While generally considered safe, doses of 3 grams or more per day may cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain.

Are there any side effects?

While some people may have lost weight while using weight loss patches, researchers have not studied their effects in clinical trials. Weight loss patches are not regulated by the FDA, so there is no way of knowing exactly what is in these products. As a result, adverse side effects such as nausea, headache, increased heart rate (tachycardia), and skin irritation near the application site are possible.

In addition, because weight loss patches are unregulated, most have not been tested for safety and may contain harmful ingredients. The key aspect regarding these patches is their assertion of being entirely natural, however, they sometimes contain a mixture of ingredients, including substances that might lead to tachycardia and other adverse effects.

Some people have reported side effects when using bitter orange, including muscle and bone pain.

The exact side effects of patches containing green coffee bean extract are unknown, but since it contains caffeine, it may have similar side effects to drinking coffee, such as an upset stomach, anxiety, headaches, and nausea.

Ephedra, also known as ephedrine, is an ingredient that has been banned by the FDA for use in diet and sports supplements due to serious health risks like heart attack and stroke, resulting in deaths.

Flaxseed oil patches may contain other ingredients that could have side effects, as they are not regulated by the FDA.

L-carnitine is generally considered safe, but the NIH notes that doses of 3 grams or more per day may cause side effects, including nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

While some customers complained about negative side effects from the Slimming Belly Patch, this wasn’t always the case. Some customers stated that the patches worked for them and that they experienced no rashes, itching, or burning.

Is it a safe product?

The safety of keto belly patches is questionable. While some sources claim that the patches are safe to use, others suggest that they may cause adverse side effects.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate weight loss patches, meaning that their safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed. As a result, weight loss patches may contain harmful or dangerous ingredients, and their potential side effects are unknown.

Some common ingredients found in weight loss patches, such as green tea extract, green coffee bean extract, and bitter orange, have been studied for their oral consumption. However, there is limited research on the effects of these ingredients when applied topically through a patch.

Some reported side effects of weight loss patches include nausea, headache, increased heart rate, and skin irritation near the application site.

It is important to consult a doctor before using any weight loss products, including keto belly patches, to ensure their safety and effectiveness.

Frequently asked questions