Weight Loss Patch Reviews

The weight loss patch has become an increasingly popular tool for dieting even though it is still a relatively new invention.

These patches deliver the beneficial ingredients directly into the blood via the skin using transdermal technology. They aim to work continuously so that you can lose weight while carrying on with your everyday life.

\"Diet Patch\"

So what is the best weight loss patch?

Weight Loss Patch Reviews

Slim Weight Patch

The Slimweight Patch is made using Fucus Vesiculosus (Bladderwrack) a type of seaweed as it main ingredient. It also contains other fat burning ingredients including Garcinia Cambogia, Zinc Pyruvate and L-Carnitine.

One ingredient is particularly effective at increasing your metabolism, 5-HTP. It can also reduce your food cravings as it can drop serotonin levels in the body.

Pink Patch

The Pink Patch also uses Bladderwrack as it main ingredient. It also contains Yerba mate that can suppress the appetite.

Its final ingredient is Lecithin that is a fat emulsifier that can help to balance your body weight.

Size Zero Patch

The Size Zero Patch claims to use 100% herbal ingredients. Unfortunately they have not listed what they are. Instead their claims are based on a large amount of unknown ingredients.

Which Weight Loss Patch is the best?

The best diet patch overall is the Slimweight Patch. It is the least expensive of the three and comes with free delivery. Another benefit is its money back guarantee.

It also does not reply on unproven claims and has actual clinical evidence to back up any claims.

This weight loss patch is clinically tested and will ensure you lose between 2-4lbs every week of its use.

Weight Loss Patch Reviews

Read our Slimweight Patch Review.

Plus our reviews of other weight loss patches such as the Size Zero Patch.

Is Diet Soda Safe? We Examine the Evidence

As people become more and more concerned about their health, they have been turning to low-cal, sugar-free and fat-free options. Diet soda has become increasingly popular over the past ten years as sales have skyrocketed, with a much younger crowd being targeted by rows upon rows of vending machines in public schools. Young girls are indoctrinated into drinking diet sodas by their mother at an early age to "maintain their figure".

Obviously, nobody (with the exception of soda manufacturers or the scientists they pay to do "research") would try to argue that regular soda is good for you, but there seems to be a general consensus that the occasional regular soda won't do you much harm.

\"Diet Patch\"

However, when we take a look at diet soda, the world seems to be full of questions about how safe it really is, with a lot of rumors and misinformation being spread around.

Is Diet Soda Safe? We Examine the Evidence

With the University Library database at my fingertips, I decided to do some serious research into some of the stories you read about soda floating around the internet, to sort through what was fact and what was fiction.

We will take a look at some of the ingredients, such as aspartame, sodium benzoate and caffeine. The US government labels these items "G.R.A.S.", or Generally Recognized As Safe. Somehow, that particular phrase doesn't really inspire a lot of confidence in me - that sounds like some fancy marketing term for "this probably won't kill you". I think that after reading this article you may think twice about grabbing that can.

Aspartame: Calorie Free At A Cost

Aspartame is one of the most common "zero calorie" sweeteners, featured in over 6000 products including foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals. It was approved by the FDA in 1981 for limited use, in 1983 for beverage use, and finally in 1996 for general food use. It has seen a great surge in popularity over the past few years as people look to eliminate sugar and other carbohydrates from their diets.

In the United States, the acceptable daily intake of aspartame is considered to be 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. This means a 120 pound female should be able to consume over 2,727 milligrams per day without adverse effects. A 12 ounce can of diet soda has roughly 180 milligrams of aspartame, so this translates to a little over 15 cans of diet soda per day.

In the past several years, studies have been done with laboratory rats that showed a correlation between high intakes of aspartame and lymphomas, leukemias and mammary tumors. The study showed that concentrations of 2,000 ppm (parts per million) of aspartame increased the risk of cancer from around 18.7% to 31.4%. These levels are the equivalent of a 120 pound adult consuming approximately 12 cans of diet soda per day.

A recent update to the study look more closely at the risk of fetal and prenatal exposure to aspartame, which showed that it could be even more dangerous to the very young or those who are pregnant. A conclusion was reached that aspartame is a multipotential carcinogen at a daily dose of 20 milligrams per kilogram. Now we are talking about that same 120 pound woman drinking only 6 cans a day to see adverse effects.

Studies have not yet shown a link between human cancer and aspartame, however the studies that have been done on humans did not look at prenatal and fetal exposure, and it is thought that there is some danger, which is frightening because many of these aspartame-containing products are aimed at women of childbearing age and young children.

Another thing one often hears about aspartame is the fact that is produces methanol as a metabolite when broken down by the body. This gets a little scary when you find the metabolites for methanol include formate and formaldehyde.

A study was published in 2002 that analyzed the breakdown of aspartame to formaldehyde in rats which suggests that the amount of formaldehyde created by "abuse" doses of aspartame is harmless to humans. I think the important word in that last sentence is suggests.

Another question raised about aspartame is "will this product actually help you lose weight?" Many studies have shown links between artificial sweetened consumption and weight gain. How can this be? Scientists believe several things may be happening here.

The first theory is that the body becomes confused, as it associates caloric intake with certain flavors. The idea is that the body tells itself to stop eating when it has consumed enough of a certain flavor, and using the artificial sweeteners causes the body to eat more sweets than it needs because it has disassociated sweetness with providing lots of calories (energy).

Another concept is that some people have a reaction to the aspartame that causes food cravings, especially carbohydrates. Studies have shown that rats given liquid food containing artificial sweeteners ate more high-calorie sweet foods than those not consuming the artificial sweeteners.

So the conclusion for now - aspartame may be safe in low levels, but it is clear further studies need to be done. It does seem that young children and those who are pregnant or planning to be pregnant should probably steer clear of any products containing aspartame. If you are really serious about your health, soda should really be an occasional treat - and if it is, a few calories worth of sugar isn't going to do you any real harm.

Sodium Benzoate -> Benzene?

When potassium benzoate or sodium benzoate mix with ascorbic acid (vitamin c), under the right conditions they can create benzene, a known carcinogen. When the FDA did a study of 100 beverages, they found five that contained over the drinking water limit of 5 parts per billion: Safeway Select Diet Orange, AquaCal Strawberry Flavored Water Beverage, Giant Light Cranberry Juice Cocktail, Crystal Light Sunrise Classic Orange and Crush Pineapple.

The FDA maintains that there is no health risk, however the companies have already modified their formulas or plan to do so shortly. The presence of the two chemicals alone does not imply that benzene will be present, it is believed environmental factors such as heat and sunlight can affect the reaction.
Soda and Metabolic Syndrome

Soda in general has been linked to an increase in likelihood of metabolic syndrome, which can lead to chronic heart disease and type 2 diabetes. A recent study shows that even one can of diet (or regular) soda can increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome almost 50 percent in middle age adults.

Metabolic syndrome can also lead to high blood pressure, kidney stones, elevated triglycerides, liver disease, ovarian cysts and increased belly fat storage.

Caffeine: Toxic Energy?

I recently did a research paper for school on the effects of caffeine on the body. I was fascinated to learn how powerful of a drug it is, working on the dopamine receptors in the brain similar to the way that cocaine and heroin do. Dopamine, along with serotonin are the "happy" chemicals in your brain.

Many people do not realize that diet sodas tend to have more caffeine in them than regular sodas, and the acceptable daily intake per day is around 300 milligrams for a normal adult. This works out to around six 12 ounce cans (or around three 20 ounce bottles). Exceeding this level can cause caffeinism, whose symptoms include headaches, irritability, restlessness, high blood pressure and the "crash" feeling when it wears off.

Caffeine is by far the most abused drug in the world, with many people addicted to it without even realizing it. We have become accustomed to feeling energetic not by eating well and getting a good night's sleep, but by artificial "on-demand" means such as caffeine. While it is tempting to kick start the day with a gallon of coffee, excessive caffeine use will really just leave you tired in the end.
The Verdict?

Well I have to say, after writing this article there definitely seems to be a lot of evidence of some serious health risks associated with consuming diet soda. Does this mean they are harmful? There doesn't seem to be a lot of conclusive evidence yet but I suspect this may change over time as more studies are done.

The arguments the beverage companies are making with the FDA about safety are along the lines of "Hey - you can't prove this stuff is harmful to humans..." which again sounds like a lot of legal-ese for "we're getting away with something here".

So the final verdict? I'm thinking I'll stick with water and the occasional juice or tea. There are just far to many unknown factors here, and I suspect the big bucks of the soft drink industry have swayed more than a few influential minds at the FDA.

Sources Cited

Mead, M. Nathaniel. "Aspartame cancer risks revisited: prenatal exposure may be greatest concern.(Science Selections)(Clinical report)." Environmental Health Perspectives 115.9 (Sept 2007): A460(1). General OneFile. Gale. Eastern Michigan University. 19 July 2008

Soffritti, Morando, Fiorella Belpoggi, Eva Tibaldi, Davide Degli Esposti, and Michelina Lauriola. "Life-span exposure to low doses of aspartame beginning during prenatal life increases cancer effects in rats.(Research)." Environmental Health Perspectives 115.9 (Sept 2007): 1293(5). General OneFile. Gale. Eastern Michigan University. 19 July 2008

Gaby, Alan R. "Aspartame causes cancer in rats.(Cancer Prevention and Treatment)(Brief article)." Townsend Letter: The Examiner of Alternative Medicine 289-290 (August-Sept 2007): 64(1). General OneFile. Gale. Eastern Michigan University. 19 July 2008

"Soda Pop & Bone Health." Palaestra 17.2 (Spring 2001): 51. General OneFile. Gale. Eastern Michigan University. 19 July 2008

Oyama, Y., H. Sakai, T. Arata, Y. Okano, N. Akaike, K. Sakai, and K. Noda. "Cytotoxic effects of methanol, formaldehyde, and formate on dissociated rat thymocytes: A possibility of aspartame toxicity.(Author abstract)." Cell Biology and Toxicology 18.1 (Jan 2002): 43(8). Academic OneFile. Gale. Eastern Michigan University. 19 July 2008

Walton, Ralph G., and D. Eric Walters. "How sweet it isn't.(Letter to the editor)." Discover 26.10 (Oct 2005): 4(1). General OneFile. Gale. Eastern Michigan University. 19 July 2008

"Soda pop and weakened bones: how are they linked? (News Bites)." Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter 19.11 (Jan 2002): 3(1). General OneFile. Gale. Eastern Michigan University. 19 July 2008

Klotter, Jule. "Diet soda & weight gain.(Shorts)." Townsend Letter: The Examiner of Alternative Medicine 271-272 (Feb-March 2006): 40(1). General OneFile. Gale. Eastern Michigan University. 19 July 2008

"Keeping your pearly whites." Palaestra 21.2 (Spring 2005): 46(1). General OneFile. Gale. Eastern Michigan University. 19 July 2008

Is Diet Soda Safe? We Examine the Evidence

This Article Written By David Mitchell, A Dietetics Major At Eastern Michigan University. For More articles, plus Food and Exercise Log analysis, free blog hosting, social news, message forums all focuses around diet, health and nutrition check out:

http://www.davesworkout.com

Nicotine Patch and Weight Loss - What You Need to Know

Quitting smoking may be an obstacle for some. However, if you have successfully quit smoking, congratulations! But the party does not start yet. According to studies, if you are chain smoker that gave up smoking, you will gain up to eight pounds. Hence there are some products that work by eliminating the craving for smoking and at the same time helping you lose weight. Scientists are now developing a nicotine patch and weight loss that helps hit two birds with one stone.

Smoking as weight control

\"Diet Patch\"

Smoking is usually associated with weight loss. Hence, some women have resorted to smoking to help them lose weight. In a University of Toronto study, girls who believed themselves to be overweight were 50% more likely to be smokers than those who believed themselves to be of average weight or too thin.

Nicotine Patch and Weight Loss - What You Need to Know

Why does one gain weight after going cold turkey?

Just as nicotine is believed to help speed up metabolism, quitting smoking can make your metabolism slow down and make you gain weight even though you're not eating more food. Once you have given up smoking, you will usually feel hungrier and food will taste better. You also need something to replace the butts and some people turn to food. The combination of consuming more calories while burning less results in weight gain.

How to keep the pounds off

Exercise and a balanced diet are the best solutions to losing weight after smoking. Studies show that smokers have an easier time quitting when they add exercise to their smoking cessation program.
Your healthy diet is critical as well. But studies have also shown that for smokers, exercise is easy but dieting is not. As a result, many turn their cravings for nicotine into longings for food, satisfying the oral gratification they're not getting.

The new drug Acomplia

In 2006, the French company Sanofi-Synthelabo has released a nicotine patch and weight loss product called. Acomplia, is the brand name for the drug Rimonabant, is a nicotine patch and weight loss product combined in one pill. It is designed to help you stop both food and cigarette cravings - hence, helping you quit smoking and lose weight at the same time!
In a research conducted by Sanofi-Synthelabo, Acomplia actually helped obese individuals lose an average of 20 lbs. and in another doubled the chances that smokers would quit.

How it works

The nicotine patch and weight loss drug works through the active ingredient of Rimonabant. Rimonabant works by blocking the CB1 receptor, one of two receptors found in a newly described physiological system called the Endocannabinoid System (EC System), which is thought to play a crucial role in regulating food intake and energy expenditure.

Once these signals are blocked, your cravings are controlled that results in weight loss, improvement of cardiovascular/metabolic risk factors in overweight and obese patients, and appears to reduce tobacco dependence without post-cessation weight gain in people who smoke.

Smoking cessation programs

Combining nicotine patch and weight loss remains in constant study at present. However, research has shown that other nicotine products like nasal spray and inhaler have a higher success rate compared to the nicotine patch.

Regular diet patches

For non-smokers, taking a nicotine patch and weight loss product might be dangerous. So instead of taking a nicotine patch and weight loss product, they should be using a regular diet patch instead.
A regular diet patch works just like a nicotine patch. Just as a nicotine patch suppresses your cravings for cigarettes, a diet patch curbs your cravings for food.

The ingredients of a typical diet patch are as follows:

1. Fucus Vesiculosus - helps increase the body's metabolism, burn more calories and enhance digestion.

2. Guarana - a stimulant which also helps to increase to the metabolism while keeping energy levels high.

3. 5-HTP - helps control sweet and carbohydrate cravings by controlling serotonin levels in the brain.

4. Zinc Pyruvate - assists in the breakdown of fat cells while helping to build lean muscle mass.

5. DHEA - helps the body to manage the intake of calories more efficiently.

6. Yerba Mate - A powerful appetite suppressant from South America.

7. Lecithin - Helps to breakdown fats and cholesterol and balance body weight

8. Flaxseed Oil - Keeps a balance of essential fatty acids for healthier dieting

9. L-Carnitine - Increases the bodies fat burning capabilities

10. Zinc Citrate - An essential mineral often lost when losing weight.

Effectiveness

Nicotine patch and weight loss is proven to go hand in hand when it comes to helping smokers lose weight. However, further studies should still be conducted to strengthen the known results we have at present.

Nicotine Patch and Weight Loss - What You Need to Know

Phillip England is a weight loss [http://www.theultimateweightlosssecret.com] expert and Author of the popular report "The Ultimate Weight Loss Secret". To receive your free information on the secret that doctors, and health companies either don't know, or don't want you to know, please see [http://www.theultimateweightlosssecret.com/secret]