Obesity has become a major health problem of this century, which is why people are trying to find out newer and easier methods for losing weight. However, it should be kept in mind that there is no shortcut to lose weight quickly. Rather, a lot of perseverance, patience, and hard work are required for losing weight and maintaining an ideal body mass index (BMI). The diet pills and patches available in the market may help reduce weight temporarily. But one has to follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly to maintain an ideal body mass index in the long run. What is a Diet Patch? Diet or slimming patches can be placed on the skin of any part of the body. The active ingredients present in these patches are said to be absorbed by the skin. Manufacturers claim that these patches can deliver the weight loss ingredients to the bloodstream through the skin. In fact, they claim that these ingredients can be easily absorbed by the skin. Chromium, guarana, hoodia, garcinia cambogia, bladderwrack, and green tea are some of the common ingredients found in these patches. All these ingredients are believed to be effective in promoting weight loss. The mineral chromium can help reduce weight by regulating the level of blood sugar, and controlling the functions of the hormone insulin. Guarana on the other hand, can help reduce hunger and increase metabolism. Garcinia cambogia is another ingredient of diet patches. This ingredient is believed to inhibit the actions of the enzyme citrate lyase, and thus, prevent the conversion of carbohydrate into fat. Another ingredient is hoodia, which is a well-known appetite suppressant. Bladderwrack is believed to be effective in accelerating the fat burning process, while green tea can accelerate the rate of metabolism. The manufacturers of slimming patches often claim that all these weight loss ingredients can easily enter the bloodstream through the skin, and thus help reduce weight. The Debate Over Diet Patch There are many testimonials to support the effectiveness of slimming patches in reducing weight. At the same time, these products are also widely criticized by a large number of people, who question the efficiency of the delivery system of these patches. It is true that some of the ingredients found in these products can help reduce weight, as observed in certain scientific studies. But in those studies, these ingredients were not delivered through the skin, and it is not very clear that these substances can be properly absorbed by the skin. It is also important to consider the fact that these patches do not contain a very high level of the weight loss ingredients. The minute quantities of these substances, as found in such patches, may not have a significant effect on weight reduction. Moreover, these patches are claimed to cause weight loss at a rate that it is considered impossible by many. But so far, these products have not found to cause any serious side effects. A few side effects like headaches, nausea, and dizziness can be experienced by some people. Skin irritation can also be a problem for those with sensitive skin. The most important fact about diet patches is that there is no concrete clinical evidence to prove their efficacy. Moreover, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States has not approved diet patches, which means that official studies have not been conducted to find out their effectiveness in promoting weight loss.