Berberine patches for weight loss? No evidence to support so-called “Australian startup”

Posted in General, Health, Scam, Alternative "medicine" scams, Education, Skeptic, Social Media, So Called Alternative Medicine by

When it comes to finding a substance that has a history in the East and is available over the counter being touted as a weight loss agent in the West, berberine – a chemical found in a number of plants – is likely to have its supporters. Yet that’s not the same as arguing it is an agent backed by peer reviewed evidence.

Yes, it’s popping up as “natures Ozempic” on social media. There’s a range of websites listing weight loss, lowering of blood sugar levels, reduced cholesterol whilst some cite varied research papers. Companies such as Swisse will sing its praises and even point to “healthy insulin levels” and papers discussing its role in cancer. Nonetheless, it depends where you land when discerning what praises will be sung and what conclusive advice will be published, regardless of findings. In fact the effects of berberine are not well documented or defined.

The most in depth research will stress the need for further research. Larger samples, wider scope within methodology, a focus on specific components of cardiovascular health and even agreed upon amounts and formulations to be studied upon population samples with rigidly controlled age-health profiles. Berberine has been studied far more in Asia than in Western nations, but regrettably the necessary controls are not applied. Various compounds and amounts of berberine applied to subjects with different illnesses and histories cannot provide the statistical certainty one expects, much less serious criteria for falsification and reproduction.

We would possibly have convoluted issues from an ethical standing also. Consider the range of side effects listed in this WebMD article. Even worse is the fact some consumers have fallen dramatically ill within hours of taking berberine purchased online. This is not the norm but these patients find themselves in hospital with pronounced GI purging, dehydration and other complications.

Frustratingly, most punters browsing online have no idea what an AUST L number is, who demands its presence and where to find it. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) lists (L) unregistered medicines (vitamins or wellness products) by number, provided they won’t harm you. They don’t have to work, having not been pre-market evaluated by the TGA, but must have low risk ingredients. Nonetheless, it helps to be aware of how certain products are rated by the TGA, especially when they make grandiose claims. I would also urge you to do some research on the type of side effects and seriousness of prolonged use of berberine. This PDF is a succinct TGA berberine document.

In fact there is really no good science regarding berberine and weight loss. One study found that for individuals with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, subjects who took berberine for three months experienced weight loss. It’s important to note that it interacts with a number of drugs and/or supplements and side effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. It reminds me somewhat of St. John’s Wort. Berberine can impact the P450 cytochrome in the liver and have quasi-impacts on other liver enzymes involved in breaking down drugs.

In order to escape the nasty side effect impact on the G.I. system that berberine has, individuals hoping to make a buck in the wellness industry came up with a new method of delivery. Users of social media, particularly Facebook in my case, might have noticed seemingly endless promotion of an amazing weight loss “patch” that “stopped belly fat… amazes experts… burns belly fat… [and] has science stunned”. In fact it was a clever marketing ploy, following an initial TV advertising gig I fortunately missed. Social media permitted rampant boasting about the impact of studies into oral berberine intake, to support offering it in transdermal patch form to avoid stomach acid destruction. This claim alone leaves one skeptical.

First came the ladies patch named “Purisaki”. It was red with a blue border. Amongst ample peacock terminology and reference to “an Australian startup” readers were treated to this compelling paragraph:

In the summer of 2025, a presentation at a major nutrition science conference turned heads. Jessica Taylor and Kate Morrison, the founders of the startup behind Purisaki, presented their revolutionary method for natural weight loss and detoxification.

Weightloss Mag Australia wanted to know all about Jess and Kate’s breakthrough that “is turning heads”. It all started with their own experience. For Jess and Kate is was all about the 8 part formula in their transdermal patch that encouraged detoxification and the burning of fat. They told the Mag:

So together with leading nutrition scientists, we developed a product that combines fat burning and detoxification – completely natural and with no side effects.

Not much later came the men’s patch called LifeGuage which mentioned that “science is stunned by berberine” thanks to Australian startup. This patch was less obvious, being a colour I might call “Anglo-Saxon pink”. We got to read this familiar-sounding paragraph:

In summer 2025, a presentation at a major sports nutrition conference caused a stir. Matt Berger and Tom Hartman, the founders of the start-up behind LifeGauge, presented their method for targeted fat reduction and metabolism activation – specifically designed for men whose bodies stop cooperating after 40.

Weightloss Mag Australia wanted to know all about Matt and Tom’s science-stunning breakthrough. Ironically, it all started with their own experience. For Matt and Tom it was all about the 8 part formula delivered via their transdermal patch. They told the Mag:

Together with nutritional scientists, we developed a method that delivers berberine and other natural active ingredients directly through the skin – bypassing the stomach, straight into the bloodstream.

Now for a product that’s “stunning science” one has a right to expect to see said product being subject to proper scientific studies. And yes, LifeGuage has kindly offered some research into related compounds used in their product. Remember, their transdermal patch is claimed to be extra-effective because delivery bypasses the gut, where other pills or supplements and indeed berberine, are “destroyed in the stomach before they can even work”.

So, one has the right to be disappointed to discover the LifeGuage scientific research page provides no research into transdermal patch application of the Australian startup-driven-science-stunning-weight-zapping-sticker. That’s because there is absolutely no evidence that application of these compounds via this method will improve health, energy, make you feel younger or have a positive impact on weight loss. Indeed, the research presented by LifeGuage all relates to human oral trials, animal studies or in vitro research. So, to repeat, there’s no evidence to support the claims made regarding this transdermal patch technology.

The LifeGuage and Purisaki transdermal patch ingredients are identical. Yet the impact is described slightly different for men and women. Remember, men over 40 get a fat gut and feel lethargic. Women just get more unsightly fat and tend to need antioxidant effects. The patches contain berberine, Green Tea extract, African Mango Seed extract, Fucoxanthin extract, punicic acid and vitamins. Promotors claim without linking to any evidence:

  • Berberine Extract – Kickstarts fat metabolism, keeps blood sugar stable and stops cravings – so the body burns fat instead of storing it. In women: Naturally promotes metabolic function and supports healthy blood sugar levels to curb appetite, stop cravings and reduce fat storage.
  • Fucoxanthin Extract – Boosts fat burning and specifically targets the stubborn belly fat typical in men over 40. In women: Promotes fat oxidation and energy metabolism and can reduce the accumulation of visceral fat.
  • Pomegranate Oil (Punicic Acid Extract) – Protects cells, reduces inflammation and improves circulation – for more vitality and a better sense of wellbeing, in men. In women: Eases inflammation through antioxidant protection and improves fat metabolism so more fat is burned.
  • African Mango Extract – Delivers a genuine feeling of fullness, curbs appetite and prevents the body from building new fat reserves, in men. In women: Regulates leptin levels for a better sense of fullness, curbs appetite and helps reduce the formation of new fat cells.
  • Vitamin C, B1, B3 – Drive fat metabolism and support L-carnitine production – the substance that converts fat in the muscles into energy. The result: more fat burning, more energy, more performance in everyday life and during exercise, for men. In women: Support fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism and the production of L-carnitine, which is essential for transporting fatty acids into muscle cells for energy, thereby boosting fat burning.
  • This isn’t a fad – it’s targeted support for men who want to get their body back in shape. If you want to lose the belly fat and feel fitter again, LifeGauge is the way to go, for men.
  • This isn’t a fad – this is science for effective fat burning. Those who want real results choose Purisaki. The rest can keep hoping for miracles, for women.

A little further down each promotional page we read:

This website is an advertisement and not a news article.

Results may vary. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or health condition. Weight loss occurs as part of a healthy, calorie-reduced diet and exercise programme.

MARKETING DISCLOSURE: This website is a marketplace. As such, you should know that the owner has a financial connection to the products and services advertised on the website. The owner receives payment when a qualified lead is referred, but that is all.

ADVERTISING DISCLOSURE: This website and the products and services referred to on the website are advertising marketplaces. This website is an advertisement and not a news publication. All photos of persons used on this website are models. The owner of this website and of the products and services referred to on this website only provides a service through which consumers can obtain and compare information.

It’s enough to make one wonder exactly what side effects may eventuate if the product was misused.

Bigfoot on Purisaki and LifeGuage

Is MAGA a Cult?

Posted in Conspiracy Theories, General, Human Rights, Legal, Media, Politics, Religion, Skeptic, Social Media by

Terry Kelly is a past-president of the Australian Skeptics Victorian Branch Inc, and has an extensive background in the Melbourne Skeptics scene. He has contributed to committee activities, the organising of multiple conferences, speaking nights, conventions and more, whilst frequently being available as a speaker at Skeptics Café and Skeptics In The Pub evenings.

On April 20th this year, Terry Kelly took to the podium at the Stolberg Hotel, situated on the corner of Bell Street and Plenty Road Preston for a Skeptics Café presentation. His topic was Is MAGA a Cult? | Source Facebook | Terry has read quite a bit on the topic of cults and keeps a sharp eye on Donald Trump. Trump’s popularity has waned somewhat, but only after truly arrogant and inhumane exercise of his power in various political theatres. Still, those who adore him cannot be reasoned with. How deep is this ideology?

Terry summarises how AI tackles the cult question, reminds us of how bizarre Trump’s “spiritual advisor” can be and the role of conspiracy theory thinking being accepted as fact, within MAGA. Cults can self destruct in a reasonably short time, or go on to build size, power, influence and respect. The latter may last for decades or more. Terry even treats viewers to an account of his own brief experience with a cult, a method of depersonalisation he witnessed and what questioning accepted beliefs ultimately invites.

What type of people succeed in leading cults? Can they ever be successful? Why do they die off? What tragedies can we link to famous cults solely as a function of their beliefs and the influence of a single leader? Terry examines what makes a cult leader and considers if Trump has the right characteristics. He reminds us of what influenced Trump, including Norman Vincent Peale’s, The Power of Positive Thinking and of the critical deconstruction of Trump, Too Much and Never Enough written by his niece, psychologist Mary Trump.

There’s plenty more I haven’t touched on, and a discussion around questions. The audio volume of questions asked on the night was low, but has since been fully amplified prior to upload to Facebook. I hope viewers can enjoy them.

Speaker crying at rally while protesters hold signs saying 'MAGA is a cult' and 'Think for yourself'
The AI image above reflects what I hope awaits any possible MAGA cult

Cases of OS measles-derived infection increasing in Australia

Posted in Anti-Vaccination Lobby, Education, General, Health, Immunisation, Skeptic by

Whilst we can blame the impact of the global anti-vaccination movement, an increase in vaccine hesitancy that arose and has persisted during and since the COVID-19 pandemic, and even some RFK Jr. flotsam misleading the gullible, when it comes to measles, Australia and Australians must be especially vigilant in managing the risk of infection overseas.

I’m not a doctor nor hold any position allowing me to claim I can advise you, beyond what I read, on any infectious disease. Indeed I would recommend speaking first with a qualified doctor about the topic. Measles is highly contagious and spread via respiratory droplets (aerosols). Non-specific symptoms such as fever, rash, nasal discharge and cough are common. Nonetheless measles has a reasonably high rate of complication leading to hospitalisation or death.

The role of measles infection in causing immune amnesia | 2 | is remarkably disconcerting. I’d urge any reader to invest even modest time to understand this phenomena, and ensure oneself and loved ones are immunised against this virus. Remember, there is no cure. Quaint stories from anti-vaxxers of them all having it as a child and growing up with no ill effects are possible only because they refer to pre-vaccine years and choose to forget the friends who never returned to school, became blind or sustained brain damage.

Today (31st March 2026) saw the Australian Centre for Disease Control (ACDC) publish a firm reminder that if you’re travelling OS, adding a measles jab to your pre-travel preparations is more than wise. Even if you’re sure you have been vaccinated in the past, if you can’t confirm this with records, consider yourself un- or under- vaccinated. Adolescents or adults born during or after 1966 are recommended to receive two measles containing vaccines at least 4 weeks apart [Source]. It’s also quite safe and more than sensible to top up your MMR, particularly if you’re an adult, and decades have elapsed since your initial MMR. First let’s consider this sub-heading from ACDC News.

A new report confirms that almost all cases of measles in Australia are either acquired overseas or related to an overseas acquired case – especially around school holidays. Don’t bring measles home from holidays – add vaccination to your travel plan.

Virus particles with orange spikes attaching to human cells with glowing RNA inside
3D illustration showing virus particles interacting with cells

In fact the report | PDF | scrutinising the decade to 2024, reveals the years of highest infection were 2014 (339) and 2019 (284). There were 1,095 cases of infection reported during that decade. Almost all cases had either been acquired overseas or from someone who had brought measles back to Australia from overseas, states the ACDC news piece.

Further breakdown of figures tell us that when it comes to vaccination status, that 47% were unvaccinated, 30% had an unknown vaccination status, whilst 14% were under-vaccinated (being one dose). This final figure reinforces the importance of completing a vaccine schedule as well as confirming the impact of even insufficient antigen stimulus delivered via vaccine. The smallest number of infections were seen in subjects who had received only one of the two required measles shots. Measles infection was most common in those who had travelled OS – particularly to countries where measles was common. 57% of total notifications were in people aged 20 to 49 years.

2025 and 2026 data confirm a striking increase in measles infection. The total for 2025 was 181 cases. Currently we’re 25% of the way through 2026 with data showing 85 cases. This puts us on track for a 2026 total of 340 measles cases. The report also noted the drop in childhood measles vaccination from 94% in 2020 to 91% in 2024. Rather than look at this as a drop of only 3%, we must remain aware that measles herd immunity is impacted negatively when immunisation drops below 95%. So in reality, the reduction in immunisation has been steadily placing us all at greater risk since 2020.

Indeed certain groups are at higher risk of harm from insufficient herd immunity, including:

  • The immunocompromised
  • Those unable to be vaccinated for short or long term
  • Children too young to be vaccinated
  • The pregnant

Clearly, it’s important to plan some weeks ahead of travel as the two MMR (or measles) shots need to be given at least four weeks apart. Even if urgency applies, a gap of two weeks is insufficient to promote an adequate immune response. If an infant under 12 months needs to be considered for OS travel and/or an MMR course please see a paediatrician or your General Practitioner. On that topic, this NCIRS FAQ page is an excellent resource. It includes:

Infants travelling overseas can receive an early dose of measles-containing vaccine from 6 months of age, following an individual risk assessment, in addition to the routine doses given from 12 months of age.

Global outbreaks have been on the rise for some time. Australia has been keeping pace as best it can. Each state and of course the country as a whole is seeking to promote vaccine uptake and keep a close eye on the impact of outbreaks. There is only one solution and that is an increase in immunisation across the nation.

References below are from different states, news items and excellent US herd immunity/outbreak simulators.

  1. Measles cases almost triple in Australia as global outbreaks continue – ABC, 22/12/2025
  2. Increased risk of measles in Victoria – Vic Dept Health: 22/02/2026
  3. Free Measles Vaccine for Victorians – 4/03/2026
  4. Measles Alert in NSW
  5. Measles Alert for Brisbane Airport – 25/03/2026
  6. QLD: 10 cases acquired OS and 5 cases acquired locally – 30 March 2026
  7. Measles Alert – W.A. Government: 16/03/2026
  8. Measles Epidemiology in Australia – Full Report
  9. CDC Measles Outbreak Simulator
  10. FRED US Measles Simulator
  11. Herd Immunity Simulation: 2015 – Guardian
aihw-phe-236_Measles_2025Download

Conspiracy Theories people accept as fact… apparently

Posted in General, Skeptic, COVID-19, Conspiracy Theories by

So, should it be a collection? A theorem? A grab bag? A heap? A garble? Perhaps an annoyance? That may do for the purposes of this post. An annoyance of conspiracy theories (CTs).

unhappy ai

Running through the collated knowledge of CTs, we know they’ve been around for a very long time, and reflect our awfully human ability to distrust.

Throw in some imagination that suits our own bias of how people and society function and it’s a small step to theorise about how others conspire to achieve their goals. Particularly at ones expense.

There’s been a copious amount of research into conspiracy theories and contemporary accounts tend to reference the assassination of President Kennedy, the moon landing, vaccines causing autism and more recently a host of annoyance surrounding COVID-19 the disease and the COVID-19 vaccine. Indeed, the spread and flexibility of CT rhetoric has been marvellously enhanced by the Internet and Social Media. The pandemic was of course a “plandemic”, whilst around the same time the delightfully helpful 5G technology cranking up download speeds was apparently actually spreading a man-made coronavirus.

There was no doubt such conspiracies caused harm. Whether from sabotaging individual confidence in public health, to destroying 5G towers, to nurturing dingbat thought processes, the sheer evaporation of critical thinking in relation to these topics was revealed to be stupendous. As research continued into conspiracy theories, came a fascinating piece in The Conversation just over 4 months ago. The notion that psychological distress leaves people more likely to develop or adopt conspiracy theory thinking, as a means to make sense of the cold indifference of reality, appears to benefit from further examination.

Man with glowing green eyes casting blue magical energy surrounded by conspiracy theory images

The existential threat model of conspiracy theories, as this notion is called, may not be as certain as previously elucidated. Fortunately the authors concluded that interventions involving critical thinking skills have a welcome role in combating the tendency to accept the flawed reasoning that conspiracy theories offer genuine understanding of our world.

happy ai

Nonetheless, if we have discovered one alarming piece of information it is both the number of people who certain accept conspiracy theories, and the number of conspiracy theories migrating across cyberspace for the taking. As this month came to a close AOL published 50 Totally Insane Conspiracies People Actually Believe And Can’t Stop Talking About, which also links to this piece by BoredPanda with some truly silly notions about what and why a conspiracy theory is.

I myself could come up with a few conspiracies about either article. “America’s turning into 1940s Germany”, is perhaps on equal par with making the country “great again”. “AI is being made to look so real so that we can’t trust anything we see in the future”, may not be a conspiracy theory at all for cat-video lovers. Of course the BoredPanda chuckle-conspiracy theories may actually be an attempt by Big Psychology to plunge us all into depression at the thought this is what passes as humour.

Still, one thing is for sure. Once Epstein moves aside we will have more of that mere 10% of the brain that we actually use (ahem), to waste terabytes of social media and A.I. on new-found conspiracy theories.

Belinda Gae Harris convicted, sentenced over Black Salve sale and supply

Posted in Alternative "medicine" scams, Education, Health, Legal, Media, Skeptic, Skeptical Activism, So Called Alternative Medicine, Social Media by

Just over a year ago I posted that 12 charges had been brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions against Belinda Gae Harris over the supply and advertising of black salve products. This followed an investigation by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which confirmed alleged criminal offences under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act), against Harris.

Harris insisted on her blog she was “helping people” and had written on Facebook about using the dangerous corrosive to “suck out” snake bite poison and COVID-19 vaccines from the injection site. The TGA reported at the time she faced up to “a maximum penalty of 12 months’ imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $222,000 for each charge”. Harris, who traded under ‘Tickety Boo Herbal’, was manifestly spared the maximum sentence. Found guilty of 10 charges on 30 October 2025 in Deniliquin Local Court, the TGA reported on 16 January 2026, that Harris had been:

[S]entenced today to 7 months imprisonment, a community corrections order, and fines of $20,000 for unlawfully advertising and supplying black salve and bloodroot capsules, and for advertising other unapproved therapeutic goods to treat serious conditions such as anxiety.

And that:

Ms Harris was released on recognizance of $2,000 and on condition of good behaviour for a period of 3 years with 6 months supervision. Ms Harris is prohibited from making restricted and prohibited representations about therapeutic goods by any means, including on social media. The term of imprisonment can be imposed if the conditions of the good behaviour bond are breached.

Ms Harris is also subject to a community corrections order with a supervision period of 3 years.

The prohibitions regarding publication about therapeutic goods, particularly on social media, and the threat of prison linked to the good behaviour bond, are certainly welcome. Let’s revisit some of Harris’ response to the charges last January:

belinda_gae_harris

I’m just going to keep doing it, because I’m helping people and I’m saving lives. My angels managed to keep this at bay until 2025… This matrix is bullshit. Bullshit lies. They’re allowed to administer carcinogenic chemotherapy to people and fry the fuck out of them with their radiation.

But I’m not allowed to do a simple herbal remedy that I have tested over and over again… I’ll see you in court government… You can’t shut me up. If you put me in jail I’ll just be educating everybody around me. Okay. Namaste. Loving you. Ben Abou.

Okay. Namaste it is.

Her Honour, Magistrate Humphreys, said “the offending was deliberate and planned”. She added:

The Court has an obligation to deter similar offending as it is of a kind that could cause great harm…

…The existence of a community of persons interested in the use of potentially dangerous alternative treatments for serious illnesses such as cancer adds weight to the need for general deterrence. Others involved in such communities must be dissuaded from engaging in similar conduct

In a welcome addition the magistrate also noted the indirect harm Harris’ actions had caused, in that there was, “a real potential for users of the product to delay seeking or obtaining conventional treatment”. This is an important point and often overlooked. Regardless of potential harm, any treatment that interferes with evidence-based medicine or leads to patients withholding information from specialists, can prove disastrous.

Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and head of the TGA, Professor Anthony Lawler said he was pleased with the outcome. He continued:

This significant penalty sends a clear message to anyone seeking to profit from the unlawful supply and advertising of therapeutic goods. The TGA’s highest priority is protecting the health and safety of the Australian public, and products like black salve have the potential to cause serious harm to people.

We will continue to take strong and decisive action against those who disregard their legal obligations under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 by advertising and supplying unapproved therapeutic goods.

Sanguinarine, a primary corrosive agent in black salve, is listed as a Schedule 10 substance in the Poisons Standard. These are described as substances “so dangerous to health that they are prohibited from sale, supply and use in Australia”.

Black Salve is a substance that helps nobody. Don’t be fooled by high-risk, untested so-called “alternatives”.

TGA links: