SOCIAL media users have been heaping on the praise for a get skinny quick hack but does it actually work?
Experts explained the science behind placing a beauty buy in your belly button to flatten your stomach.
In her viral video, TikTok user Raven (@pilatesbodyraven) raved about the quick trick.
She explained that she learned about the slimming hack online, revealing that she woke up looking “skinny AF” after trying it out.
Raven revealed that she applied castor oil to her belly button before going to bed.
The pilates pro added that she had an “almost concerning” night out sleep after applying the budget beauty buy.
She compared her rest to that of a sloth or a “hog in slop on a Sunday in the summertime.”
The viral trend of using castor oil to slim down first gained traction when aesthetic nurse practitioner Miranda Wilson, RN shared it online.
According to the health worker, her stomach had “never looked so flat” than when she tried naval pulling.
However, the science behind the concept has been long-disputed with many claiming it’s a waste of time.
Women’s Health reported on the trend after consulting medical professionals who are experts in the field.
Matthew Bechtold, MD, who works as the section chief of gastroenterology at the Harry S. Truman Veterans Hospital, spoke to the publication about naval pulling.
He explained that the hack involves “applying oil on the abdomen, either by rubbing it on directly or by packing the abdomen with pieces of fabric soaked in castor oil.”
The medical expert pointed out an issue with this method of application.
Although castor oil has has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it can’t reach your organs, even through navel pulling—so any potential benefits would be from topical use,” he revealed.
This point was backed up by Melinda Ring, MD, who works as the director of the Osher Center for Integrative Health at Northwestern University.
Dr. Ring first explained the history behind the unique technique.
Weight loss jabs are a hot media topic at the moment, with hundreds of success stories from people who shed the pounds.
In March 2023, the NHS announced it would make Wegovy, a drug made by Danish firm Novo Nordisk, available on prescription to thousands of obese Brits.
It contains the drug semaglutide, which is said to have helped reality star Kim Kardashian and Twitter boss Elon Musk lose weight.
Wegovy, which helped a third of people reduce their weight by 20 per cent in trials, is now available from pharmacies like Boots.
How do they work?
The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less and therefore lose weight.
To do this, semaglutide mimics the role of a natural hormone, called GLP-1.
GLP-1 is part of the signalling pathway that tells your body you have eaten, and prepares it to use the energy that comes from your food.
London GP and founder of wellgoodwellbeing.com, Dr Zoe Watson, said: “Your body naturally produces an appetite regulating hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1.
“These jabs work by regulating your appetite, which can lead to eating fewer calories and losing weight.”
Aren’t they diabetes drugs?
Semaglutide, the active drug in Wegovy, was originally sold under the name Ozempic specifically for diabetes patients.
But people started noticing it helped suppress their appetites, stopping them eating as much and helping them shed the pounds.
Novo Nordisk then developed Wegovy, which contains the same chemical but at higher doses specifically to aid weight loss.
Wegovy is not prescribed for diabetes patients.
Can I get them?
Wegovy is offered on prescription to obese adults given specialist weight loss treatment.
The NHS currently also offers a similar drug called Saxenda, or liraglutide.
Both are only available throught specialist weight management services, which means you have to be referred to clinics led by experts.
GPs can’t prescribe them on their own, Dr Watson said.
The jabs have to be taken as part of an overall programme to help with lifestyle changes and psychological support to get the best effect from the medication prescribed.
Are there any risks?
Like all medicines, the jabs do not come without side effects.
Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at patient.info, said: “One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.”
Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia.
What other options are there?
Mounjaro (brand name for tirzepatide) also came onto the market in early 2024.
Like Wegovy, tirzepatide stems from a drug originally designed to treat diabetes.
The weekly injection helped overweight people drop more than two stone in 18 months.
It is available with to order with a prescription online from pharmacies including Superdrug and LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor.
It works in a similar way to Wegovy and Saxenda, but is more effective.
Dr Mitra Dutt from LloydsPharmacy says: “Based on clinical trials, 96 per cent of people were able to lose more than five per cent of their body fat using Mounjaro. In similar trials, 84 per cent of people lost more than five per cent of their body weight on Wegovy, and 60 per cent on Saxenda.
“Mounjaro works by activating two hormonal receptors (GIP and GLP-1), which enhance insulin production, improve insulin sensitivity, and work to decrease food intake.”
“Navel pulling is derived from the Ayurvedic traditional medicine system practice, a therapeutic approach to restoring health through the navel, which is considered a vital energy point,” she said.
Dr. Bechtold added that this practice believes that the “Pechoti gland” allows for the absorption of oils.
However, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that this gland actually exists.
While it may not be able to help with slimming, applying castor oil to your naval does not pose any kind of health risk.
In fact, it has been proven to help with skincare and can be a valuable topical product.
