The Thrive Patch is marketed as a weight loss aid applied directly to the skin, forming part of an 8-week lifestyle program developed by Le-Vel. This program purports to support healthy digestion, promote healthy aging, improve brain and immune function, and, most notably, aid weight loss. However, the efficacy and safety of the Thrive Patch are subjects of much debate. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the Thrive Patch, its ingredients, purported benefits, and the scientific evidence (or lack thereof) supporting its claims.
What is the Thrive Patch?
The Thrive Patch is a weight loss patch applied to the skin, promoted as part of a lifestyle plan designed to "feed your body more than 100 premium grade vitamins, minerals, plant extracts, digestive enzymes, probiotics, antioxidants, protein, fiber and more". This plan involves a three-step daily routine and costs over $300 for a 60-day supply. The product line advertises itself as containing a wide array of beneficial substances, including vitamins, minerals, plant extracts, antioxidants, enzymes, probiotics, and amino acids, delivered through supplement capsules, shakes, and the patch itself.
Participants take supplement capsules in the morning, followed by a shake at lunch. The Thrive Patch is applied in the afternoon and worn for 24 hours, with the claim that it delivers its unique formula directly through the skin.
Key Ingredients in the Thrive Patch
The Thrive Patch contains a number of active ingredients, including:
- ForsLean: A commercial name for the herb Coleus forskohlii.
- Green Coffee Bean Extract: Unroasted coffee beans containing chlorogenic acid.
- Garcinia Cambogia: A popular weight loss supplement.
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): A compound involved in energy production.
- Cosmoperine: A commercial name for tetrahydropiperine, extracted from black pepper.
Additionally, the Thrive Ultra Patch and Black Label Patch contain ingredients such as:
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- Satiereal Saffron Extract
- Green Tea Extract
- 5-HTP
- L-Theanine
- L-Arginine
- Quercetin
- Guarana
- Yerba Mate
- Vitamin B12
Customers can upgrade to the Thrive Ultra Patch or Black Label Patch for an additional cost.
Weight Loss Claims and Scientific Evidence
The primary claim associated with the Thrive Patch is its ability to aid weight loss. However, no studies have specifically assessed the effectiveness of the Thrive Patch for this purpose. While some of its ingredients have been individually studied for their potential weight loss benefits, the research primarily focuses on oral consumption, not topical application via a patch.
It is crucial to recognize that the absorption and concentration of substances in topical products differ significantly from oral products. Therefore, research on oral consumption cannot be directly applied to assess the effectiveness of the Thrive Patch.
Examining the Evidence for Key Ingredients
ForsLean (Coleus forskohlii): A 2015 study indicated that Coleus forskohlii, when combined with a low-calorie diet, could reduce metabolic risk factors and promote weight loss in overweight and obese individuals. However, the researchers attributed the weight loss primarily to the diet rather than the herb itself. A 2020 review cast further doubt, suggesting that natural supplements like Coleus forskohlii may not be entirely safe or lead to significant weight loss.
Green Coffee Bean Extract: Green coffee beans are unroasted and contain chlorogenic acid, which is believed to aid weight loss by blocking carbohydrate absorption. A review of randomized controlled trials found that green coffee bean extract could effectively reduce body weight in overweight individuals, but only after more than 4 weeks of supplementation. Another review indicated that coffee bean extract improved levels of fasting blood glucose, insulin, and total cholesterol. A small study involving 60 overweight participants also showed that green coffee bean extract led to significant reductions in body weight and body fat, along with increases in lean body mass, compared to a placebo.
Garcinia Cambogia: This is a popular weight loss supplement purported to increase fat burning and reduce appetite. However, weight loss studies involving Garcinia cambogia have yielded mixed results, with positive studies demonstrating only marginal effects. While many studies have found Garcinia cambogia to be safe, others have reported cases of toxic liver disease and other health issues.
Dermal Fusion Technology
The Thrive Patch utilizes "dermal fusion technology" to deliver its active ingredients through the skin. However, this technology has not been independently studied, making it impossible to determine its effectiveness in delivering the active ingredients into the bloodstream. Without evidence supporting the efficacy of dermal fusion technology, it remains unclear whether the Thrive Patch can effectively increase blood levels of its active ingredients.
Other Claimed Benefits
In addition to weight loss, the Thrive Patch claims to increase energy levels and improve brain function, appetite management, and digestive health. As with the weight loss claims, the lack of studies examining these supposed benefits means it’s impossible to assess whether they are accurate.
Some of the ingredients in the Thrive products, including the Thrive Patch, have been linked to some possible benefits. For example, the lifestyle capsules contain caffeine, which can offer some health benefits, such has reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions . The capsules include the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus, which may help improve gut health in people with irritable bowel syndrome. However, this probiotic’s benefits for the general population are unclear, and in some cases it may do more harm than good. The Thrive Patch also contains CoQ10, which has been linked to reduced muscle fatigue and a subsequent improvement in exercise performance, though more research is still needed.
Ultimately, while some of these ingredients may offer some benefits, it’s unclear how much of each ingredient the Thrive Patch contains, whether they’re present in amounts large enough to have any effect, and how well they are absorbed through the skin. Additionally, given the lack of research and the vague nature of some of the claims, it’s probably wise to be skeptical about the effectiveness of the products.
Read also: Do Thrive Pills Really Work?
Potential Risks and Side Effects
Thrive patches are not recommended for anyone under age 18 or anyone who is pregnant or nursing. These reports are hard to verify but may be attributable to the products taken by consumers using the plan. This means we don’t know whether this patch is health-promoting or damaging.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that these patches can cause some unpleasant side effects, such as rashes, nausea, and heart palpitations.While there is no concrete evidence that the product causes adverse health effects, there is also no concrete evidence to suggest it’s healthy.
Alternative Weight Loss Supplements
Given the uncertainty surrounding the Thrive Patch, it's important to consider alternative weight loss supplements that have more robust scientific backing. Many common weight loss supplements are not supported by significant evidence and can even have harmful side effects.
That being said, there are a few weight loss supplements that may be effective, such as caffeine, conjugated linoleic acid, and green tea extract. Still, nothing can replace the effectiveness of a healthy lifestyle that includes a well-balanced diet, regular exercise, and plenty of sleep.