Thrive Patch Review 2024: What Do Nutritionists Think?

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Key Features of Thrive:

• Thrive Patches are marketed as a weight loss patch that you wear on your skin like a sticker
• The patch and other products can be bought online, and are also sold by user recruits in an MLM structure
• The evidence for Thrive patch is inconclusive, and the skin-patch application feels gimmicky

Sometimes dieting—especially an extreme crash diet—can feel like a Band-Aid solution to weight loss. You see results for a short time, but then bounce back to your original weight or worse when you “rip the Band-Aid off,” so to speak. In many ways, the Thrive Patch feels like it could be another deceptive Band-Aid like solution to weight loss, including—but not limited to—the fact that the patch is literally stuck like a Band-Aid to the body.

But could the patch be an effective weight loss strategy? In this Thrive Patch review, we researched the ingredients, pored over reviews from users and consulted nutritionist and weight loss coach Pete Nastasi, who is also a frequent contributor to Sports Illustrated Showcase.

Editor’s Note: This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Before starting any new supplement, weight loss or exercise regimen, talk with your doctor.

What Are Thrive Weight Loss Patches?

Created by the company Le-Vel, the Thrive Patch is sold two ways: online, via the company website; and peer-to-peer by recruited representatives as part of what is traditionally known as an “MLM,” or multi-level marketing. According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, most people who partake in an MLM selling scheme earn little to no profit, and may even lose money buying up stock of the product.

The full name of the patch is officially the THRIVE Premium Lifestyle Derma Fusion Technology, “derma fusion” referring to the fact that you apply the patch to your skin as part of Le-Vel’s eight-week program. However, we should note that studies on the following active ingredients were based on taking the supplements orally. It’s unknown how effective—if at all—the transdermal absorption of the product is via patch.

Thrive Patch Ingredients

ForsLean

ForsLean, an extract derived from Coleus forskohlii roots, has limited clinically-proven effectiveness for weight loss. For reference, a 2005 study of 23 women over 12 weeks published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition showed that Coleus forskohlii “may have helped mitigate weight gain” in overweight females, however there was no evidence that the supplement promoted actual weight loss. Furthermore, a 10-year review of literature on Coleus forskohlii indicates the supplement may cause more harm than good, citing “extreme side-effects” including liver and kidney failure.

Green coffee bean extract

The unroasted, ​​raw seeds of coffee cherries certainly won’t sate your coffee fix. But, they will supply a high amount of chlorogenic acid, a natural compound called a polyphenol that may facilitate weight loss. Indeed, the evidence behind green coffee bean extract is more promising compared to ForsLean. A 2021 study conducted in India showed that after 12 weeks, the group that was supplemented with chlorogenic acid lost more weight than those taking the placebo.

Related Post: Coffee vs. Pre Workout: Which Is Better for Your Gains?

Garcinia cambogia

A small pumpkin-shaped fruit, the peel of garcinia cambogia is high in hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which small studies have shown may help reduce fat around the midsection in men and women with a certain type of obesity. The mechanism by which HCA may prompt weight loss is not known, although it’s theorized that HCA may reduce appetite and impede fat production.

Other ingredients in the Thrive Patch

• CoQ10: Studies show that CoQ10, short for coenzyme q10, might help encourage muscle recovery, but more research is needed.
• White willow bark: According to a 2015 study overview, white willow bark may help with inflammation and joint pain.
• Cosmoperine: A derivative of piperine from black pepper, Cosmoperine is said by cosmetic brands to increase the absorption of drugs and nutrients via the skin.
• Limonene: A compound found in the essential oil of a citrus peel.
• Aloe vera: Extract from the plant that can potentially help with some skin conditions when used topically.
• L-arginine: An amino acid that helps the body build protein.

Other Thrive Products

The Thrive Patch, geared toward weight management, is only one rung of what Le-Vel calls the Thrive Experience, consisting of three recommended daily supplements: The patch, capsule supplements you swallow in the morning and a protein shake at lunch. Altogether, Thrive claims the full routine will support cognitive function, healthy joints, antioxidant intake, lean muscle and the digestive and immune systems.

Thrive vitamin supplements

Thrive has four variations of its capsule supplement, a regular and “elite” version of the capsule for men and women. Both include vitamins and minerals, however the “elite” version additionally includes ingredients found in Thrive’s weight loss supplement patches, like ForsLean. Both varieties of the vitamin supplements do however have caffeine, which has been shown to have appetite suppressing effects.

Thrive shake mixes

Called the Thrive Premium Lifestyle Mix, the shake is gluten-free with a proprietary blend of vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, plant extracts, probiotics and amino acids, the brand says. Testing information on the formulation wasn’t available. This is in contrast to many of the most popular fat burner brands, like Transparent Labs, which is Informed Choice certified. There is a Thrive vegan shake, if you’re looking for a plant-based protein powder alternative.

How The Thrive Patch Works

According to Le-Vel, the Thrive Patch delivers the active ingredients via Derma Fusion Technology. The drug, in theory, penetrates the skin at a safe pace and dosage. There are such cases of drugs being delivered transdermally, including pain medication and nicotine. Although Le-Vel says the patch was designed for “increased bioavailability” of the ingredients, there have been no studies conducted to examine the mechanism and efficacy of the Thrive patch.

Where Should You Put The Thrive Patch?

Le-Vel suggests putting the Thrive DFT Patch on clean, dry skin. The brand says you’ll yield the best results by putting the patch on “leaner,” lower fat areas, such as the biceps, shoulder, forearms or lower back. The brand also suggests rotating where you place the patch, rather than using the same spot continuously.

Thrive Patch Cost

The Thrive Experience is by no means a budget experience: It costs $300 for an eight-week supply of the supplements. Although the products are marketed as an eight-week endeavor, you can only buy the capsules, patches and shakes in two-week or four-week supplies.

Thrive Patch Reviews

Customer feedback is a bit tricky to navigate when it comes to the Le-Vel Thrive Patch: Many users are incentivized to leave positive reviews, since they also make money selling the patch and recruiting “downline” sellers to take up peddling the patch as well. I did find a solidly unbiased-sounding review in the r/supplements subreddit. The reviewer had some positive feedback, but noted that the visibility aspect of the patch appears to be “more of [a] promoter conversation starter” than a practical aspect. Most of the comments in the thread were either neutral or negative toward the patch, however, often citing the side effects as a drawback. Positive feedback cited increased energy levels.

What Do Experts Think of the Thrive Patch for Weight Loss?

Certified sports nutrition coach Pete Nastasi shared his thoughts on the Thrive patch:

“Weight loss supplements like the Thrive Patch are often marketed as quick and effortless solutions to shedding excess body fat and achieving the body of your dreams,” he tells SI Showcase. “The issue is that science and the products rarely live up to these extravagant claims.”

He noted that the Thrive patch does have “some ingredients with potential weight loss benefits,” however, he questioned the product’s overall efficacy and safety. One big reason: The studies that link the more promising ingredients to weight loss involved oral ingestion rather than transdermal application, he notes.

Another major problem in general with products like Thrive is that weight loss is too complex to be encapsulated in a pill (or patch), Nastasi says: “The major problem with the Thrive Patch and other supplements designed to promote weight loss is that weight loss is a complex and multifaceted process that is influenced by numerous factors, including diet, physical activity, genetics and your overall lifestyle,” he says. “As Le-Vel points out directly on its website, ‘meaningful weight loss requires healthy lifestyle choices, diet and exercise, and good nutritional intake.’”

He stresses that there aren’t over-the-counter weight loss pills, powders, patches or creams that will magically help you lose weight. Rather, if you truly want to promote weight loss, then you need to be in a daily caloric deficit. “Whether that’s achieved through eating less food, daily exercise or a combination of both, it’s essential for long-term sustainable results,” he says. Ultimately, his biggest concern with Thrive is that it preys on people’s insecurities to sell products at high price points. Nastasi’s math does compute: Thrive is considerably more expensive per serving than your typical pre-workout mixture for weight loss, for instance.

Thrive Patch vs. Noom

Although taking a regimen of so-called lifestyle capsules and patches might sound appealing, tools like Noom employ a more evidence-based approach. Noom is an app that helps users achieve long-term weight loss by promoting a healthy diet. You’re “tricked” into better habits via psychology and mindfulness, and education and accountability. You can also use the app for meal planning and to track your calories and weight loss progress.

Thrive Patch vs. Diet-to-Go

Diet-to-Go is a weight loss meal planning service that delivers healthy pre-prepared meals directly to your house. The program takes the guesswork out of calorie counting and recipe-finding. Instead, you get breakfast, lunch and dinner in realistic but controlled portions to help you stay on track.

FAQ About Thrive Patches

Do Thrive patches expire?

I couldn’t find any information on Le-Vel.com regarding an expiration date for the Thrive patch. The company does say that the shakes are best used within five years.

Do you sleep with Thrive patches on?

Yes, the Thrive patches are meant to be worn for 24 hours, so you can sleep with them on.

Are Thrive patches safe?

The safety of the Thrive patch is impossible to decipher because of lack of testing information or short- or long-term studies on the patch. Always consult your primary care physician before starting weight loss products like Thrive.

Can Thrive patches get wet?

Yes, Thrive patches can get wet, according to Le-Vel, so they can be worn in the shower, for instance.

Final Thoughts: Are Thrive Patches Worth It?

If you’ve made it this far, you’ve probably gathered that we’re not huge fans of the Thrive patch. Our ambivalence primarily stems from both the MLM business model and the unproven nature of the transdermal delivery system. And to reiterate an important point, there’s no magic pill to help you shed pounds. As Nastasi emphasizes, a daily calorie deficit via healthy eating or physical activity is the ultimate answer. That’s true even when using the best fat burner pills out there that boast superior clinical evidence to back the ingredients and delivery method. Always consult your physician, who is best equipped to help you navigate whether the drawbacks outweigh the health benefits of taking a weight loss supplement. 

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