Among the latest trends in the diet industry is using brown seaweed extract. Believed to aid in weight loss, this supplement is marketed in the form of capsules, dried in its original form, or added to other foods. Is it yet another diet fad with no merit, or can this ocean plant truly help to reduce body fat? Recent studies have shown that taking the supplement on a regular basis does indeed have the potential for fat loss.
About Brown Seaweed
According to the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, there are more than 10 types of seaweed used primarily for human consumption. Brown seaweed, known as Hijiki and Wakame, is most often seen in Asian cuisine, particularly to improve the taste of soups and salads, or as a wrapping for sushi. Seaweeds are cultivated in various ocean climates, and are typically acquired off the coasts of Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Canada, and Ireland.
The Science Behind The Supplement
In 2005, researchers at Hokkaido University in Japan discovered fucoxanthin in brown seaweed, an isolated carotenoid pigment that allows photosynthesis to occur. They fed it to animals as a food supplement and found the result to be a body fat loss of 5 percent to 10 percent. Much of the fat loss came from visceral fat, which can cause diabetes and liver and heart disease.
In 2010, a study in the "Journal of Medicinal Food" showed more positive effects of fucoxanthin on experimental rats. The study at the University of Malaysia found overall weight loss, decreases in LDL cholesterol, increases in HDL cholesterol, and antioxidant enzyme improvement.
Human clinical trials didn't begin until 2008, and were only published earlier this year. Researchers at the National Academy of Natural Sciences in Moscow did a 16 week study on more than 150 women, over 75 percent with fatty liver disease. They were given fucoxanthin in the form of a supplement, but with an added ingredient. The extract also contained the equivalent amount of pomegranate seed oil. The results were an average of 7 to 8 pounds of body fat, mostly abdominal adipose storage. The findings also showed decreased levels of triglyceride and liver lipids.
Potential Benefits
Fucoxanthin can aid in visceral fat reduction, as well as lower LDL levels, more commonly known as bad cholesterol. The extract can serve as an insulin regulator and an antioxidant enzyme boost. If taken on a regular basis, fucoxanthin has been shown to decrease triglyceride levels and increase HDL levels, known as good cholesterol.
Available Types of Supplements
Fucoxanthin supplements have become a trend in weight loss and can be found at most health stores or online vitamin shops. Available methods include capsules, dried seaweed or ground seaweed in foods such as rice cakes or bars. Be careful when purchasing ground seaweed, as there is no guarantee as to the potency of the product. Search for reputable companies that state the amount of extract included. Recommended amounts for fucoxanthin in capsule form are between 3 mg to 10 mg per serving. Always check the Supplement Facts before investing in the extract. Look for products with a type of omega-3 fatty acid, or pomegranate seed oil included to ensure proper absorption and use of fucoxanthin, according to Colgan Institute News.
Special Considerations
Especially since human trials were only conducted within the last year, long-term effects of taking fucoxanthin extracts are still unknown. Although the supplement does have its benefits and advantages, it is not meant to treat any diseases or illnesses. Consult your doctor before taking any supplement.
References
- Seaweeds Used As Human Food
- "Colgan Institute News"; Brown Seaweed Extract for Fat Loss; Michael Colgan; February; 2010
- "Journal of Medicinal Food"; Comparison of cardiovascular protective effects of tropical seaweeds, Kappaphycus alvarezii, Caulerpa lentillifera, and Sargassum polycystum, on high-cholesterol/high-fat diet in rats; Patricia Matanjun, Suhaila Mohamed, Kharidah Muhammad and Noordin Mohamed Mustapha ; August; 2010
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