What Are Stick-On Vitamin Patches, And Do They Really Work?

Bid adieu to oral supplements. A new contender for delivering essential nutrients has emerged, called stick-on vitamin patches. Promising an easy, pill-free way to boost your vitamin intake, these transdermal patches are gaining attention. But are they truly effective, and who should use them?

What are Stick-On Vitamin Patches?

We consulted three leading nutritionists: Kanikka Malhotra, Nutritionist and Founder, Health Pepper, Delhi, Anshul Singh, Team Lead and Clinical Nutritionist, Artemis Hospitals, Gurugram, and Kanchan Khurana, Senior Clinical Nutritionist, Fortis Hospital, Greater Noida, to break down this next-generation method of supplementation.

Vitamin patches are adhesive strips designed to be worn on the skin. They are loaded with vitamins, minerals, such as magnesium, B12, and vitamin D, or other nutrients.

According to Kanikka, they are "adhesive strips designed to deliver vitamins or other nutrients to your body by absorbing them through your skin, rather than swallowing them as pills or gummies."

Anshul notes that these small stickers are made to "give you a steady supply of nutrients all day long."

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How Do Stick-On Vitamin Patches Work

The core mechanism behind vitamin patches is transdermal absorption, a method of administering nutrients or medication through the skin and into the bloodstream.

Bypassing Digestion: According to Kanchan, the patch is a "next generation way of administering vitamins into the body by bypassing the digestive system”.

The Process: You apply the patch to your skin, where the nutrients are intended to pass through the outer layers and into the small blood vessels. This "keeps the vitamins from being broken down by the stomach and liver," explains Anshul.

Steady Release: Many patches release nutrients slowly, often over a period of 6 to 12 hours, offering a sustained delivery system.

Are Stick-On Vitamin Patches Truly Effective?

The effectiveness of stick-on vitamin patches is a subject of ongoing debate in the clinical community. The key challenge lies in the nature of the nutrients themselves.

The Absorption Challenge: Kanikka points out a major limitation: "most vitamins (especially large and water-soluble ones like vitamin C, B-complex, iron, or zinc) do not absorb well through the skin, so benefits may be limited." Anshul adds that many vitamins are "big molecules which makes it hard for the skin to absorb them."

Specific Nutrients: Kanchan highlights that some absorption is specific. For instance, Vitamin B12 is best absorbed in the gut in the presence of intrinsic factors, while Vitamin D naturally gets absorbed into the skin from sunlight. Anshul notes that some small studies show the skin can absorb nutrients like B12 and magnesium.

For most healthy people, oral supplements are still the most reliable option for reaching adequate vitamin levels. Kanikka suggests that while patches may offer minor improvements for nutrients like B12 or D, oral supplementation is generally preferred.

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Who Should Use Stick-On Vitamin Patches and Who Should Avoid?

Vitamin patches can offer a genuine solution for specific groups, but they are not suitable for everyone.

Who May Benefit:

Pill Swallowing Difficulty: People who have trouble swallowing pills (dysphagia) or simply dislike taking them.

Digestive Issues: Individuals with compromised gut function or digestive absorption problems. 

Slow Release Preference: Those who prefer a slow, steady release of nutrients throughout the day.

Who Should Avoid:

Sensitive Skin: People with sensitive skin, allergies to adhesives, or existing skin-related issues should avoid patches, as they can cause skin irritation.

Pregnancy and Chronic Illness: Pregnant women, children (unless recommended by a doctor), and individuals with chronic illnesses or complex deficiencies should avoid patches or use them only under strict medical supervision, as they are "often not well-regulated," according to Kanikka.

Healthy Individuals: For the average, healthy person, dietary sources and oral supplements remain the preferred and most reliable choice.

Due to a lack of extensive, independent evidence supporting or opposing their effectiveness, Kanchan advises that it is "better to consult a medical practitioner before using it."

Image courtesy: Gemini

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