Vicks for belly fat? How can Vicks help you with belly fat? This question drove me insane and triggered my obnoxious curiosity. Vaporub for belly fat? Really? So I clicked.

And there it was, a video of a woman rubbing her stomach with Vicks. Then wrapping her stomach with plastic wrap, and followed by a waist trainer.

Cut scene to the following day and the video shows of her belly having noticeable change. The bulge has vanished, leaving her with a flat stomach.

My jaw literally dropped.

What the heck is going on here?

Researching the efficacy of Vicks for belly fat 

I needed to find out whether this is fact or fiction. I googled, I Youtubed, and I meditated, then came up with a conclusion which you may disagree with.

We all know what Vicks is for; it treats cough due to throat irritation. Vicks also help with minor aches and pains in muscles and joints. However, can you use Vicks to lose belly fat? Will it burn fat by applying it to the stomach?

To find out, I needed to research each ingredient.

Active ingredients

Camphor

According to Asahikawa Medical University, it was thought that applying camphor to the skin helps blood circulation, but it has not been clearly explained.

To further examine the effects of camphor to blood circulation, nine adults were studied after using the chemical.

The research found that camphor does increase blood circulation. 

[source: Camphor induces cold and warm sensations with increases in skin and muscle blood flow in human.]

The following is how good blood circulation helps your body:

• When you maintain healthy blood and oxygen flow throughout the body, you allow your lungs and muscles to work correctly.
• Your white blood cells will move to wherever it is most needed — mostly fighting off potential diseases and sickness.
• Good blood circulation helps reduce waste from the body.

Eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus oil has been proven to have antimicrobial effects against many bacteria. It improves the immune system. It helps with inflammation. It has antioxidant properties and a great pain killer. 

We are trying to determine Vicks efficacy through topical application though not inhalation or ingestion. The only benefit it has through skin application is reducing inflammation. 

[source: Immune-modifying and antimicrobial effects of Eucalyptus oil and simple inhalation devices.]

Menthol

What we know is that menthol acts as a pain reliever even in ancient times. Recent studies show that it’s advantageous as an analgesic. 

[source: The role and mechanism of action of menthol in topical analgesic products.]

In another research, menthol was found to be a better option than ice for delayed onset muscle soreness.

[source: A comparison of topical menthol to ice on pain, evoked tetanic and voluntary force during delayed onset muscle soreness]

Inactive ingredients

Cedarleaf oil

Cedarleaf oil is excellent as an antimicrobial agent reducing the infamous and common candida albicans. 

Nutmeg oil

Sufferers of diseases and cancers are sadly in need of analgesics to relieve some pain symptoms. 

Pharmaceutical grade pain killers can sometimes cause other side effects and aren’t safe to use for a more extended period.

Food and Nutrition Research have perused a potentially safe alternative for pain relief—nutmeg. 

FNR concluded that nutmeg is a viable, safe, and natural alternative to drugs such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.

[source: Nutmeg oil alleviates chronic inflammatory pain through inhibition of COX-2 expression and substance P release in vivo]

Petrolatum

Petrolatum found in skin barrier products such as Vaseline helps trap water inside the skin and acts as a barrier. 

Thymol

Thymol is used as a stabilizer in Vicks. Although less toxic than phenol, extreme exposure can produce vomiting, nausea, and gastric pain. It may even lead to convulsions, coma, respiratory, and cardiac collapse.

Regarding skin application, Thymol has caused skin irritation and sensitization.

[source: Thymol effects.]

Turpentine oil

Turpentine oil is used topically to treat rheumatoid arthritis, toothaches, and various muscle pains.

Oral poisoning can lead to insomnia, headaches, coma, and even death. 

Youtubers tried it

At this point, I already have my answer to the question: “Does Vicks reduce belly fat?”

However, I needed to hear it from people who tried it. So, I went to Youtube for fact searching.

I watched two channels who tried it for a day and echoed the same failed result.

I watched another two who tried it but had good results.

One Youtuber in particular, Luxx Curves, revealed more as to why. The host goes on to say that the secret to this “phenomenon,” is the waist trainer.

I could not believe her answer. How can a waist trainer burn fat in your stomach? As a weight loss nutritionist, I can tell you; it’s a load of crap.

The only thing a waist trainer will give you is nausea from being unable to breathe correctly. You see, the waist trainer or corset restricts the air you breathe by squeezing your diaphragm.

Hence, I am in disbelief when specific fitness influencers advocate a waist trainer’s efficacy in targeting stomach fat.

So does Vicks help burn belly fat?

Vicks does not work to reduce belly fat.  Vaporub does not help with belly fat loss.

Menthol, nutmeg oil, and turpentine oil may indirectly affect belly fat loss. Reducing muscle soreness after a workout can only result in quicker recovery and maximum effort in your next training.

Some of Vicks’ ingredients may potentially put you at risk of permanent disablement or even death. 

If you are lucky to dodge such risks, there are known common side effects such as the following:

• Skin rashes and irritation
• Difficulty in breathing
• Acid reflux
• Bruising
• Numbness 

Why put your body at risk when people are getting results with this safe and simple method?

You might think going through all this trouble will save you money—if it works. The truth of the matter is, there is no way you can rub a chemical agent on your skin, and somehow, the fat magically disappear.

If you need to lose belly fat, rubbing Vicks on your stomach day in day out will only give you grief and a sticky and messy belly.

Find out the simple method by a renowned nutritionist that led me to finally seeing my six-pack abs by clicking on the link below. You’ll be surprised at how you can get shredded with minimal effort.

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