In the never-ending quest to lessen world obesity, scientists have been looking for help anywhere they can find it. It appears they may have found something, in the ocean of all places. Natural Product Insider points to seaweed extract as a supplement ingredient that may help with fat loss, as supported by a study by Japanese scientists. While the results may look promising, do not begin any weight loss regimen without discussing it with your doctor.
Type
The Med Health India Network identifies the brown seaweed bladderwrack as the source of the extract that appears to help with weight loss. This is supported by Dr. Andrew Weil, who further explains that it is the substance fucoxanthin, which is higher in brown seafood than the green or red types, that stimulates a protein in the body that can increase fat burning. Dr. Weil even goes one step further, acknowledging that this protein can decrease unhealthy abdominal fat.
Other Substances
In addition, bladderwrack contains algin, a substance which can have a laxative effect that might aid in weight loss. It is also very high in iodine. Iodine helps to regulate the thyroid, which can wreck havoc on your weight if it is not functioning properly. Unfortunately, the iodine in this seaweed is not always consistent so its affect on the body's iodine cannot be counted on to keep the thyroid system and metabolism regulated.
Availability
Seaweed extract is available online and in health food stores. You can buy it in liquid droppers, capsule, powder and pill form. Seaweed extract is also used as an ingredient in vitamin formulas. When looking at supplement ingredients, it may be referred to by another name, such as Ascophyllum nodosum, Rockwrack, Schweintang Atlantic Kelp, Bladder Fucus, Fucus vesiculosis, Quercus Marina or Sea Kelp.
Interesting Concept
An article by the Med India Health Network pointed to a study by researchers at Newcastle University that suggested seaweed extract could be added to fast food to make it healthier. While the supplement wouldn't directly make the food more nutritious, it appears that the added fiber could help it some of the fat in fast food pass through the digestive system.
Warning
Medline Plus, a service of the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. National Library of Medicine, warns that bladderwrack may possible be unsafe. It can contain a high concentration of iodine, which can be dangerous to someone with thyroid disease. In addition, prolonged uses of large amounts of iodine have been linked to an increased risk of thyroid cancer. Medline Plus also cautions that bladderwrack could have high concentrates of heavy metals like arsenic.
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