Fucus vesiculosus, a type of brown seaweed commonly known as bladderwrack, has several roles in alternative medicine, including promoting weight loss. Research is lacking on its effectiveness for any health problems, according to MedlinePlus, because most studies are laboratory-based and have not involved humans. Fucus vesiculosus also is associated with side effects, so consult with a qualified health care provider before using this substance for weight loss.
Types
Different types of seaweed are commonly included in seaweed products even when labeled with one name, such as Fucus vesiculosus or blue-green algae. Ascophyllum nodosum, for instance, is another type of brown seaweed that grows with Fucus vesiculosus, and the two are often included together in kelp preparations, as noted by MedlinePlus. Fucus vesiculosus is available as a supplement in liquid extract, tablets and capsules, and you also can include it as a vegetable in your diet.
Benefits
Laboratory research indicates that Fucus vesiculosus has antifungal and antibacterial properties, according to MedlinePlus. Chemical components called fucans or fucoidans that occur in Fucus vesiculosus and some other brown seaweeds show blood-thinning and antioxidant activity, as well as anti-cancer effects and the ability to lower blood sugar. Because Fucus vesiculosus contains iodine, some people use it to treat thyroid disorders. Talk to your doctor before treating yourself for any condition with a seaweed product.
Products
Certain products marketed as weight loss enhancers contain Fucus vesiculosus and other types of seaweed. Examples include skin patches such as the Derma Patch and the Pink Patch, and numerous oral supplements. Safety and effectiveness for these products has not been studied in humans, cautions MedlinePlus.
Considerations
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint against Transdermal Products in 2004 for false claims that its skin patch, containing Fucus vesiculosus, causes "substantial weight loss." The company claimed that consumers could lose more than three pounds per week for more than four weeks, that this weight loss would be permanent, and that scientific research backed these claims. Physician Ray Sahelian, who specializes in natural supplements, says on his website he has not encountered any good research indicating that bladderwrack supplements are effective by themselves for weight loss.
Warning
The iodine content in Fucus vesiculosus is part of the reason for its potential ability to cause weight loss, according to the National Toxicology Program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. If iodine levels in this seaweed are high enough to cause weight loss, they also could cause a hyperthyroid condition, explains the NTP. Iodine also can cause skin lesions, severe worsening of acne, brassy taste, increased salivation and stomach upset. Regular use of brown seaweed can lead to laxative effects. Fucus vesiculosus may be contaminated with heavy metal or other pollutants, according to MedlinePlus. Some consumers of seaweed and kelp supplements have developed decreased blood platelets and kidney and nerve toxicity due to product contamination.
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