Are vitamin patches effective?

Vitamin innovations over the years have come in many forms, from Flinstone to gummies to chocolate. Well, there’s a new player in the vitamin space. Vitamin patch.

Vitamin patches, also known as transdermal patches, are widely available online from sources such as PatchMD, PatchAid, NutriPatch, and countless other patches available on Amazon and sites focused on holistic health. there is. They all claim that none of their vitamin formulas are regulated or tested by the FDA and are absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Most companies claim that the patch is ideal because it solves consumption-based problems such as food allergies.

There’s just one problem. There is little evidence that these patches work.

Vitamin combination is important

While transdermal patches may be effective in delivering certain medications, such as nicotine and contraceptives, there is little evidence that vitamins are suitable for this method, says FACET Dermatology in Toronto, Ont. Dr. Geeta Yadav, founder and medical director, told Berrywell. .

It only penetrates the skin to a certain extent. The skin has seven layers, and most topical products, such as skin care products, only penetrate into the stratum corneum (outermost layer). However, particle size and solubility are important, Yadav said.

“The smaller the molecules of a substance, the deeper it can penetrate,” Yadav said. “One factor is whether it’s lipophilic, meaning it’s soluble in fat rather than water. Drugs that are soluble in fat are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.”

Other substances, such as the anti-nausea scopolamine, nicotine, fentanyl, or certain chemicals used in contraception, are small enough and fat-soluble that they can penetrate deeper and enter the bloodstream through the patch. can.

Yadav said vitamins. did it However, only if they are formulated as nanoparticles and encapsulated in lipophilic (fat-soluble) substances. Since vitamins are not regulated by the FDA, there is little way to know if these preparations contain the vitamins injected into the patch.

“There is currently little evidence that transdermal vitamin patches are effective,” Yadav says.

Clinical study raises further doubts about vitamin patches

The concept of transdermal vitamin patches is interesting, and several small studies have been conducted to investigate whether they can be useful for postoperative obese patients. Because these patients have limited gastric capacity, transdermal vitamin supplementation is highly advantageous. However, one study examined serum nutrient levels in patients after using a multivitamin patch for 3, 6, and 12 months. At the end of the study, 19% of participants developed vitamin D and B6 deficiencies. Some patients developed vitamin B1, folic acid, and zinc deficiencies.

Another study showed similar results, revealing vitamin D deficiency after a year of administering a multivitamin patch to obese patients. So far, the only ray of hope is a small pilot study of 30 healthy adults in which vitamin D3 was successfully administered via a patch, improving the vitamin D status of all participants. It was shown that

When they asked PatchAid for clinical evidence that their product worked, Verywell was told that there were no clinical studies to support their claims. He did not respond to inquiries about medical professionals who support the product, despite its claim that it is “recommended by doctors.”

potential for harm

Yadav warns that some vitamins can be toxic in too much, but as Sam Tejada, a functional medicine expert at Likvida Wellness Center, can attest, overdosing with vitamin patches can be harmful. Ingestion doesn’t seem to be a realistic fear. He was approached by a vitamin patch company that wanted to bring his product to wellness centers. He decided to try out the patch personally first.

“My own experience has been nothing short of a nightmare. Micronutrient tests I did before and after trying the patch showed no changes,” Tejada said. “The patch uses adhesives that are very toxic to the skin and can absorb those toxins. I had a reaction so severe that I had to go to my local dermatologist for treatment. Unfortunately, I developed what is called contact dermatitis.”

Tejada said she tried to contact the company to investigate her reaction to the adhesive, but was ignored.

“There’s a lack of research behind it at the moment. I think it’s more of a fad and needs to be evaluated and researched first, and consumers should be aware of that and stay away from it.” Tejada said.