If you’ve recently Googled “how to lose weight,” you’ve likely come across Japanese mint weight loss patch at some point. According to the companies marketing these products, all you have to do is stick the patch on your skin and the pounds fall right off. Sounds easy enough, right?
What is Japanese mint and how is it used as a weight loss patch?
Japanese mint, also known as mentha canadensis, is a plant found in North America and Asia. The patches are intended to absorb transdermally. This allows the active ingredients (in this case, the Japanese mint) to go directly into the skin without going through your digestive system.
Does Japanese mint have any special qualities?
Japanese mint is believed to stimulate fat cells to decrease body fat. “Japanese mint is a phytonutrient that is supposed to increase blood flow,” says Haylie Pomroy, a top Hollywood nutritionist and founder of the Haylie Pomroy Group. “The theory is that our fat has very poor blood flow, so this mint is supposed to bring blood flow to the tissue and help your body access fat and break it down.” While mint is well-known for its healing properties, there is no evidence to suggest it can aid in weight loss. “I have not come across any medical research suggesting that Japanese mint weight loss patches are effective, and none of these companies apparently publish any research, so I would conclude that they’re ineffective,” says Dr. Andrea Paul, MD, medical advisor of Illuminate Labs.
Can a patch actually help you lose weight?
“I’ve never seen a patch lead to weight loss, unfortunately. But there are some other good things you can do to achieve those promises [of increasing blood flow] like dry skin brushing which is wildly effective and inexpensive,” Pomroy says. However, Dr. Paul explains there are some weight loss patches that have been studied in medical trials and proven to be effective for weight loss. One notable recent study used microneedling to administer a prescription weight loss drug Rosiglitazone via a patch. “Whether or not a weight loss patch will be successful depends on the active ingredients and the application technology used," Dr. Paul notes. “Not all weight loss patches are created equal.”
Examples of weight loss patches
Hokuto patch
The primary ingredient is Hokuto mint. Companies that sell these patches claim it can help stop the body from absorbing sugar and starch, which ultimately turns to fat.
Genki patch
This patch is said to help eliminate toxins in your body and hinder the development of fat cells.
Hibana patch
This patch is advertised as a belly and abdominal fat burner.
Yasumint patch
Companies claim yasumint increases blood circulation and manages weight gain by suppressing the appetite. “The only benefit we’ve seen through research with transdermal applications like these are for B vitamin transdermal or sex hormones like testosterone or estrogen patches,” says Pomroy. “The issue is the carrier with all of these other patches.”
Risks of Japanese weight loss patches
Unfortunately, there aren’t any studies to show the effectiveness of Japanese weight loss patches. “I’ve never seen Japanese mint work clinically,” Pomroy states. But is there any harm in using a Japanese weight loss patch? Yes, there are risks involved. “There is absolutely potential harm involved in trying pseudoscientific treatment modalities like Japanese mint weight loss patches,” says Dr. Paul. “The leading retailer of these patches doesn’t even provide an ingredients list, just a vague descriptor using unscientific terminology like ‘hidden natural minerals.” Also, some chemical compounds like essential oils do absorb transdermally (through the skin) and can pose a systemic risk if taken in too high a quantity, Dr. Paul adds. Another potential health hazard is the carrier used to make these patches. “My issue isn’t with the mint; it’s with the carrier they use (herbs are bound with a chemical that drives into the skin),” Pomroy explains. “It can be scary because some companies use the same carriers as fentanyl patches. Look at who is making it and where it’s manufactured. 99% of these companies aren’t disclosing their carrier.” Next up: Everything You Need to Know About Ree Drummond’s Weight Loss Journey
Sources
Haylie Pomroy, a top Hollywood nutritionist and founder of the Haylie Pomroy GroupAndrea Paul, MD, Medical Advisor to Illuminate LabsExpert Opinion on Drug Delivery: “The Potential of a Microneedle Patch for Reducing Obesity”
