Introduction
Gracia® Slimming Drops are a supportive homeopathic remedy for weight reduction in overweight. They contain the active ingredient Fucus vesiculosus, a brown algae called bladderwrack, which is found in the North Atlantic, North Sea and Baltic Sea. The drops should be taken dissolved in water three times a day before meals. The manufacturer attributes the alleged weight-reducing effect to a stimulation of the thyroid gland by the active ingredient.
Indications for Gracia® slimming drops
The main indication for Gracia® Slimming Drops is, as the name suggests, overweight up to obesity (obesity) and accordingly the desire for weight loss. However, as with all homeopathic medicines, the field of application is theoretically broad. For example, the drops could be used for arteriosclerosis, asthma, excessive sweating and as a laxative.
How do the Gracia® slimming drops work?
The alleged weight-reducing effect of Gracia® Slimming Drops is attributed to the stimulation of the thyroid gland by the iodine it contains. The thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine (T3 and T4) stimulate the body’s metabolism, resulting in weight loss, a stronger heartbeat, increased heat production and many other effects. Increased iodine intake drives the production and release of these hormones.
This should lead to weight reduction. However, this can also be accompanied by side effects (see below) and ravenous appetite attacks, which are rather counterproductive for weight loss. Furthermore, a reduction in appetite is promised, which can also be explained by the fact that the stomach is already partly filled by taking a glass of water before eating. The user evaluations as well as the scientific data are at best mixed, so that one cannot speak of a secured effectiveness of Gracia® slimming drops.
Side effects
It is possible that life-threatening hypoglycemia can occur when taking Gracia® Slimming Drops. This manifests itself through ravenous appetite in combination with for example nausea, trembling, sweating, restlessness and/or palpitations. It is urgently recommended to consume glucose or alternatively lump sugar for such complaints and to consult a doctor immediately.
Other side effects of Gracia® are similar to the symptoms of hyperthyroidism: nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, dizziness or high blood pressure. The frequency of these side effects is stated in the package insert as “very rare”. An existing hyperthyroidism (for example in Graves’ disease or thyroid adenoma) can be aggravated by the use of Gracia.
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