I'm on the Patch - Not that Patch!

Weight loss patches have taken their place alongside diet pills, weight loss supplements, fad diets, and the countless other products aimed at helping people lose weight.

Many companies claim that their patch products "help the pounds melt away" and make promises that the wearer will lose 3-4 pounds per week. But do they actually work? Well, the answer to that question is up for debate.

The Science Behind Weight Loss Patches

Weight loss patches are similar to nicotine patches for smokers that want to stop. Patches come in many forms - for example, there is one on the market that contains seaweed-based ingredients that allegedly help fight food cravings.

Because patches can cost as little as $8.00, they can seem like a great, inexpensive way to lose weight fast. And they can be - as long as you use them intelligently.

"No non-prescription product will cause meaningful weight loss without diet or exercise," Howard Beales, director of the FTC's bureau of consumer protection, has said. Weight loss patches, worn alone, may give the wearer a false sense of security - they might be inclined to think that, because they are wearing the patch, they don't need to exercise, and are free to eat whatever they choose.

When worn in conjunction with a sensible meal plan and solid exercise, weight loss patches can be a great dietary aid. Like any other weight loss plan, it's important to be informed before you start using a patch. Speak to your doctor and listen to their recommendations before you begin a new program.