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Diet Patch Ingredients

Jun 14, 2011 | By Karyn Maier
Diet Patch Ingredients
Photo Credit seaweed on sand image by Helen Lee from Fotolia.com

The diet patch is infused with certain herbal extracts and nutrients reputed to stimulate the metabolism. Like the nicotine patch, it is designed to deliver its ingredients through the skin. Diet patch ingredients vary between manufacturers, but many share the same common compounds. It should be noted, though, that there is no scientific evidence to conclude that the diet patch is effective in promoting weight loss, nor is it a substitute for a sensible diet and regular exercise.

Hoodia Gordonii

Hoodia gordonii is a low-growing succulent South American plant easily recognized by its projecting spines and the aroma of its flowers, which smell like spoiled meat. For centuries, this plant has been used locally as an appetite suppressant. According to the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the active ingredient in the plant is an oxypregnane steroidal glycoside dubbed P57AS3, or simply P57, which the agency patented in the mid-1990s and licensed to a few select pharmaceutical companies. Further, the council awarded the Sans bushmen of the Kalahari Desert certain rights that limit harvesting to avoid depletion of the plant and provide for a share in production profits.

The efficacy of hoodia in terms of weight loss is largely supported by anecdotal evidence. In addition, existing studies used animal models, not humans. There is also doubt as to the bioavailability of P57. For instance, researchers D. B. MacLean and L. G. Luo at Brown Medical School of Rhode Island reported in the Sept. 11, 2004 issue of "Brain Research" that when this substance was injected into the brains of rats it quickly degraded in the liver. Scientist V. L. Madgula and colleagues from the University of Mississippi reported similar findings in an article published in the April 22, 2010 edition of "Planta Medica," which stated that P57 demonstrated only moderate bioavailability, coupled with a high elimination rate.

Bladderwrack

Bladderwrack, also known as fucus vesiculosus, is an algae that grows along the shores of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as the coastline of the Baltic and North seas. According to the "Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines," this botanical has a high iodine content. It is included among diet patch ingredients because, in theory, it stimulates the thyroid and speeds up metabolism. However, this text also criticizes the use of bladderwrack to aide weight loss since it may also promote hypoglycemic effects, as well as exert anticoagulant properties. Therefore, if you have diabetes or take blood-thinning medications, you should avoid bladderwrack.

Guarana

Guarana is a climbing, woody vine related to the maple and native to the Amazon basin. Its inclusion in diet patches is likely due to the plant containing significant amounts of stimulatory agents, including theobromine, theophylline and roughly twice the amount of caffeine found in coffee beans. In terms of weight loss, the "Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines" lists the suppression of hunger and thirst among the unproven uses attributed to this herb. On the other hand, researchers T. Andersen and J. Fogh at Medical Center Charlottenlund in Denmark reported in the June 14, 2001 issue of the "Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics" that guarana appeared to enhance the perception of fullness and resulted in weight loss in overweight patients after 45 days. However, this study involved a product that contained Yerbe maté and damiana in combination with guarana. It should also be noted that the stimulatory effects of the principle compounds in guarana might induce side effects in certain people, such as those with seizure or cardiac disorders.

References

Article reviewed by demand68117 Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

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