Slenderiix Drops: Does Homeopathy for Weight Loss Work?

Homeopathic weight loss drugs such as Slenderiix skinny drops promise to help consumers shed extra pounds fast. But what can homeopathy actually do, and what can it not? Let's review the evidence.

With more than half of Americans (55%) reporting a desire to lose weight, there's a never-ending supply of weight loss products, including homeopathic drugs.

In 2011, about five million adults and one million children in the United States used homeopathy. More recent data suggests that one in four Americans (27%) thinks homeopathy is an effective treatment.

Although trusted by many, homeopathy remains one of the most controversial types of alternative medicine.

What is homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a system created over two centuries ago, which is based on two theories.

The first theory, 'like cures like,' is the notion that a disease can be cured using a substance that produces similar symptoms in healthy people.

Meanwhile, the 'law of minimum dose' proposes that the lower the dose of the medication, the greater its effectiveness. According to the National Institutes of Health, many homeopathic products are so diluted that they have no remaining molecules of the original substance.

Homeopathic remedies are usually made from various plants, but some can contain more unexpected – and largely implausible – sources like the fragments of the Berlin Wall and X-rays, which the manufacturer claims can come in the form of pills, tablets, and spray.

Homeopathic products are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety and effectiveness.

Evidence of homeopathy's effectiveness

An evidence evaluation report released by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council in 2024, looked into the potential homeopathy benefits on multiple health conditions, including recurrent infections, anxiety, depression, and digestive disorders.

It concluded that homeopathy appears to provide little to no benefit when compared with placebo for the populations or conditions assessed.

An earlier systematic review, published back in 2002, concluded that 'there was no condition which responds convincingly better to homeopathic treatment than to placebo or other control interventions.'

Do Slenderiix drops work?

Slenderiix drops, also often referred to as Slenderiiz drops, are marketed to be used together with Xceler8 drops. According to the vendor's website, the formula is made up of 100% homeopathic ingredients. When combined with a 1,250 kcal program, the supplement 'supports speedy weight loss.

Adults need between 1,600 and 3,000 kcal daily, depending on their sex, age, activity level, and body composition. Reducing caloric intake to 1,250 kcal leads to a calorie deficit, which alone can contribute to weight loss.

Other product claims include appetite control and increased metabolic rate, which should speed up the calorie burning, resulting in weight loss.

Metabolic rate refers to how quickly the body converts food and drinks into energy necessary to maintain body functions and perform daily activities. It also plays an important role in weight management.

Metabolic rate is largely determined by genetics, but there are some lifestyle changes that may affect it. For example, a diet high in protein, unrefined carbohydrates, caffeine and green tea, as well as strength training may help burn calories slightly faster.

Slenderiix drops are composed solely of homeopathic ingredients. Meanwhile, Xceler8 has components that are more common in supplements, such as vitamin B12, biotin, one of the B complex vitamins, and a proprietary blend that includes green tea leaf extract and ashwagandha.

There's no strong evidence that ingredients like vitamin B12 and biotin can support weight loss. However, some evidence suggests that ashwagandha may be effective for insomnia and stress, and could aid weight loss by potentially affecting cortisol and testosterone levels to some extent.

Slenderiix drops are also advertised to be used with the Nutrifii Renew supplement, which isn't a homeopathic medication, as it contains ingredients like vitamins B6 and B12, vitamin A, and niacin, among others.

A study conducted by the supplement manufacturer included 386 Renew customers. Of those, nearly 59% reported improvement in shedding 'hard to lose, stubborn body fat.'

However, the study's findings shouldn't be generalized, as it isn't a randomized clinical trial that would compare changes in two groups – those taking the supplement and those on placebo. Moreover, it is based on self-reports rather than scientists following and objectively measuring the impact of supplements on the study participants.

What do experts say?

The evidence for using homeopathic medications for weight loss shows that they are inconsistent at best and unreliable, according to Trista Best, MPH, RDN, LD. Reviews of various studies indicate that when weight loss is observed with homeopathic medications, it is ultimately the result of the placebo effect, not the medication itself.

Hoodia gordonii, an African herb found in weight loss pills, suppresses appetite; however, it has to be consumed from the plant and taken in large amounts to exert its effect, Dr. Michael Aziz, a board-certified internal medicine physician at Lenox Hill Hospital, explains.

The use of homeopathic products is concerning not only because of potentially poor quality but also because of safety issues, Best says. As they are largely unregulated, their use may lead to indirect and direct harm to the individual.

Homeopathic remedies such as these often pose a risk for unexpected side effects and dangerous interactions with other medications, foods, or supplements. An unexpected consequence is delaying effective treatment and possibly missing more serious underlying causes of the weight gain.

Trista Best, MPH, RDN, LD

According to Aziz, some of the ingredients in these products can cause health issues. For example, excessive vitamin C intake can lead to easy bruising, while too much caffeine may result in increased heart rate and palpitations.

Aziz says, "If you're considering homeopathy for weight loss, it's crucial to discuss it with your doctor first, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking other medications. No medications should substitute for healthy eating and exercise."

The verdict

There's little evidence that homeopathic remedies, such as Slenderiix drops, can significantly contribute to weight loss. Before taking any homeopathic medications, discuss them with your healthcare provider.

Trista Best is a consultant with Balance One supplements.