Brown Seaweed & Weight Loss

Brown seaweed is one of many seafood staples in the Japanese diet and may contribute to healthy weight loss. Containing natural fat burning antioxidants, brown seaweed supports metabolic and immune functions in the body. Adding it to your fitness plan may allow you to achieve faster weight loss than with diet and exercise alone.

Function

Brown seaweed contains a natural carotenoid called fuxocanthin, which may contribute to healthy weight loss. Carotenoids are natural antioxidant substances that can help to prevent disease. Examples include lutein, zeaxanthin, astyxanthin and beta carotene, the vitamin A precursor from carrots and sweet potatoes. Antioxidant compounds neutralize damaging free radicals in the body. These harmful radicals damage DNA, accelerate aging and contribute to development of diseases like cancer. Fucoxanthin may help users lose weight and improve overall health and wellness.

Effects

Besides acting as an antioxidant, brown seaweed extract, also reduces inflammation, a contributory factor to many chronic diseases. According to the Life Extension Magazine article Safely Lose Body Fat by Julius Goepp, MD, fucoxanthin activates UCPs or uncoupling proteins, which triggers fat cells to release their stored fatty acids for energy purposes. In addition, brown seaweed extract makes white adipose tissue behave like brown fat. Found in many hibernating animals and infants, brown fat contains mitochondria that allow it to burn calories to generate heat. Moreover, fucoxanthin inhibits the production of new fat cells.

Benefits

By lowering insulin levels and reducing fat storage, fucoxanthin has a natural fat-reducing effect on the body. When insulin levels surge, new body fat readily stores because the insulin hormone acts to drive nutrients into fat cells, according to "The Fat Burning Bible" by Mackie Shilstone. Lowering insulin reduces fat storage. In addition, the increase of resting metabolic rate caused by brown seaweed extract keeps your body burning more calories all day long. This metabolic boost comes with no stimulant effects like those generally experienced from caffeine-containing diet aides.

Theories/Speculation

Brown seaweed and fucoxanthin research is still in its infancy, but the preliminary results have been nothing short of astounding, according to Life Extension Magazine. Taking fucoxanthin with pomegranate seed oil boosts resting energy expenditure and may help prevent obesity, metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes. In fact, Steven V. Joyal, MD, says that fucoxanthin is the single most impressive natural weight loss compound he has reviewed in the past 10 years.

Significance

Healthy weight loss requires a caloric deficit and increased physical exercise, according to "The Abs Diet" by David Zinczenko. However, many fail to achieve their weight loss goals, despite following prescribed diet and exercise protocols. By increasing metabolic rate, fucoxanthin can help you lose weight without having to follow a starvation diet. Brown seaweed extracts also provide a safe alternative to caffeinated energy drinks and diet pills. In addition, brown seaweed may reduce your risk of many preventable diseases, helping you to stay healthy and lean for life.