The diet industry is constantly introducing new trends, and weight loss patches have emerged as a popular option. These patches claim to deliver ingredients through the skin to promote weight loss. Among these, LifeWave patches have gained attention, purporting to restore the body's electromagnetic field to boost energy and fat metabolism. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of LifeWave and other weight loss patches, examining their purported benefits, scientific evidence, potential side effects, and safer alternatives for achieving sustainable weight loss.
What are Weight Loss Patches?
Weight loss patches are designed to be applied to the skin, delivering active ingredients directly into the bloodstream. Manufacturers assert that these ingredients can aid in weight loss. People apply the patches to their skin over the areas where they want to lose weight. 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. Nicotine patches are an example of medication delivery via a patch.
Common Ingredients in Weight Loss Patches
Weight loss patches combine several ingredients that manufacturers claim can assist people in losing weight. Some of the ingredients in weight loss patches may include:
- Green coffee bean extract
- Types of mint, including Japanese mint
- Acai berry
- Green tea
- Ephedra
- Bitter orange
- Flaxseed oil
LifeWave Patches: An In-Depth Look
LifeWave patches are marketed as a technology that enhances the flow of electrons in the body, leading to increased endurance and fat metabolism. The function of LifeWave® energy patches is non-transdermal and therefore no substances enter into the body, which has been confirmed through third-party independent testing (5). The patch technology is said to couple the frequency signature of the substance in the patches with the body’s natural magnetic field (31). The resulting frequency modulation due to the interaction between the biomolecular stereoisomers of the patch and the magnetic field of the body stimulates increased beta-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids (31). According to the manufacturers, the LifeWave® patches shift substrate utilization towards lipids as a primary fuel source, sparing carbohydrate.
Claims and Purported Benefits
LifeWave patches are claimed to restore the body's electromagnetic field, resulting in increased energy and fat metabolism. The manufacturers of LifeWave® energy patches suggest placing the patches on one the following four sites; superior to the medial malleolus, anterior wrist, medial to the axilla and inferior to the anterior deltoid, and lateral to the knee near the fibular head. The manufacturers also suggest that different sites can be more effective than others for each individual; however, they also suggest the medial malleolus to be the most effective site for runners.
Read also: Weight Loss Guide Andalusia, AL
Scientific Evidence and Studies
Several studies have investigated the efficacy of LifeWave patches on various aspects of physical performance and metabolism.
- Study on Body Composition and Metabolism: One study aimed to determine the effects of wearing LifeWave patches on body mass (BM), percent body fat (%BF), VO2 Peak, and mean exercise respiratory exchange ratio (RER) over 2 weeks. Moderately active, nonsmoking women were randomly assigned to an active or placebo group. The results showed no significant change in any of the variables over the intervention (p > .05).
- Study on Endurance Athletes: Another study examined the effect of LifeWave® energy patches on non-protein substrate utilization in Division-1 cross-country runners. Twenty-two trained male and female collegiate Division-I cross-country runners volunteered for participation in this study which was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Oklahoma State University. Results indicated there were no significant differences between the EX and PL groups at posttesting for RPE, TTE, HRmax, or VO2max. RER was found to be significantly higher for the EX group compared to the PL group during stage 1 of the Bruce-protocol graded exercise test (p = 0.02). The major finding in this study was that there were no differences in RER between EX and PL groups during stages 1, 3, and the final stage of the GXT. Only two previously published studies have been conducted to assess the efficacy of LifeWave® energy patches on physical performance (23, 31). Anecdotal and unpublished information exists, however, there is very little empirical evidence to support the claims purported by the manufacturers of the product. Our results indicated no improvements for the EX patch group in non-protein substrate utilization, VO2max, RPE, TTE, or HRmax. By contrast, during stage 1 of the Bruce-protocol GXT posttest indicated the EX group had a significantly higher RER (p = 0.02) compared to the PL group. This finding is contrary to the purported benefits of the LifeWave® energy patches.
Concerns and Criticisms
Despite the claims made by LifeWave, several concerns and criticisms have been raised:
- Lack of Robust Evidence: Many experts argue that there is a lack of strong, peer-reviewed clinical science to support the claims made by LifeWave. The studies that exist are often small, with questionable methods, and not published in rigorous journals.
- Dubious Mechanism: The claimed mechanism of light-induced GHK-Cu increase leading to stem cell activation is viewed as dubious by some experts in the field.
- MLM Structure: Concerns have also been raised about LifeWave as a multi-level marketing (MLM) firm.
Other Weight Loss Patches: A Brief Overview
Besides LifeWave, several other weight loss patches are available, each with its own set of ingredients and claims.
Common Types of Weight Loss Patches
- Acai Berry Patch with Green Tea: These patches combine acai berry and green tea, which are believed to increase metabolic rate, break down fat cells, and decrease fat production. However, evidence supporting the effectiveness of acai berries for weight loss is lacking, and the effects of green tea patches on the skin are unknown.
- SlimKick Weight Loss Patch: This patch contains Fucus vesiculosus, a seaweed extract containing iodine, and pyruvate. While Fucus vesiculosus may be safe when applied to the skin, there is no evidence of weight loss in humans. Pyruvate is considered safe at oral doses, but its effectiveness in patches is unconfirmed.
- Himitsu Patch: The Himitsu patch contains Japanese mint, which is claimed to break down fat cells, boost metabolism, and block sugar and starch absorption. However, studies on the benefits and risks of Japanese mint for weight loss are lacking.
- Zycie Nutrition Slimming Patch: This patch combines ingredients like Fucus vesiculosus, zinc pyruvate, and bitter orange extract. Bitter orange extract may reduce appetite and increase calorie burning, but the evidence behind these claims is lacking, and some users report side effects such as chest pain and anxiety.
Do Weight Loss Patches Really Work?
Researchers have not studied the efficacy and safety of weight loss patches. However, limited evidence exists to confirm the effectiveness of some of the ingredients when people take them orally. Share on PinterestResearchers have not yet confirmed the effectiveness of weight loss patches. In transdermal patches, active and nonmedicinal ingredients must incorporate into the appropriate delivery system, which releases the active ingredients from the patch onto the skin. The ingredients must also be small enough to pass through the skin barrier and enter the bloodstream. If they can do this, the manufacturers must determine whether the amount in the bloodstream is safe and effective for its intended purpose.
Concerns and Side Effects of Weight Loss Patches
Although manufacturers claim that using weight loss products on the skin is safer than oral doses, evidence on the safety of weight loss patches is lacking. It is unknown whether any weight loss patch is better than another or better than weight loss pills. Further research in humans is still necessary to answer these questions.
Read also: Beef jerky: A high-protein option for shedding pounds?
Potential Side Effects
Depending on the ingredients within the patch, they may cause a variety of side effects such as headaches or an increase in heart rate. Some people report side effects when using bitter orange, including:
- Chest pain
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Muscle and bone pain
- Rapid heartbeat
- High blood pressure
Lack of Regulation
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the manufacture of weight loss patches. Insufficient information about these patches is available to understand whether the ingredients in the patch will influence weight loss. As the FDA does not control these products, it does not regulate the quantity or quality of the active ingredients in each patch.
Microneedle Weight Loss Patches
Microneedle weight loss patches involve a patch on the skin using tiny needles to deliver ingredients into the skin. A 2024 study found that a microneedle patch infused with dopamine particles decreased the weight of obese mice by 19% in combination with photothermal therapy. However, further studies on humans are necessary to confirm whether microneedle patches aid weight loss. The FDA has not approved weight loss patches because no evidence of their effectiveness and safety is available.
Safe and Effective Alternatives for Weight Loss
The most effective way to lose weight is by making lifestyle changes. These can help people reach realistic weight loss goals in small incremental steps.
Lifestyle Changes
- Dietary Modifications: Doctors recommend following a low calorie diet to aid weight loss. The number of calories a person should consume daily depends on several factors, including their baseline weight, gender, age, and activity level. A doctor or nutritionist can help people calculate the best total daily calorie intake and macronutrient breakdown for them.
- Regular Exercise: Combining a low calorie diet with an exercise regimen can promote weight loss that may result in lower abdominal fat, which determines cardiovascular health.
- Behavioral Therapy: These measures are not easy to implement every day, and some people may find behavioral therapy beneficial as they adjust to lifestyle changes.
- Support System: Having a strong and consistent support system may also help people who are trying to lose weight or maintain their weight loss.
Realistic Goals
If a person is likely to experience health benefits by losing weight, a doctor may recommend that they aim to reduce their starting weight by 10%. For example, a person weighing 200 pounds (lb) could try to lose 20 lb. A safe and sustainable rate of weight loss is about 1-2 lb per week. Once the person reaches their initial goal, they may continue to try to lose weight if they wish to or if a doctor advises them.
Read also: Inspiring Health Transformation