Slimming patches

Working in a variety of ways, slimming patches mostly work on the principle of herbs or other natural ingredients being absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin. Slimming patches promote weight loss in a variety of ways, though most claim to suppress appetite and speed up the metabolism.

The most popular ingredients found in slimming patches are:

• Fucus: A natural ingredient found in seaweed, fucus has been shown to control appetite.
  
  
• A similar product is Bladderwrack, an ocean kelp which has been in use as a homeopathic remedy for obesity for over 100 years. Bladderwrack helps support the metabolic rate and break down fatty reserves.
  
  
• Garcinia Cambogia: An exotic fruit grown in South India and a source for the natural diet ingredient hydroxycitric acid(HCA).
  
  
• Guarana. HCA is also found in guarana, and has been found to be a fat burning agent that stimulates and balances metabolism to manage weight.
  
  
• Chromium Picolinate is another common ingredient, which can promote a healthy metabolism, reduce body fat and preserve lean muscle.
  
  
A new concept on the market is Crave Control. This product is impregnated with a vanilla-like scent which operates on the "smell" theory - quite simply, people exposed to the smell of foods for long periods of time tend to lose their appetites.

Crave Control is activated by body heat, with the aroma released into the air rather than being absorbed through the skin into the blood stream.

Although most of these products claim that they work without the need for diet or exercise, the effectiveness of any of them will be greatly improved if you use them in conjunction with a well-balanced diet and regular exercise.

If you have any questions about the use of any weight loss products, talk to your doctor.