The use of seaweed to lose weight has been studied over the years with mixed results, but Science Daily reports that a group of scientists at Newcastle University in England may be able to prove the connection of seaweed to weight loss. The team, led by Professor Jeff Pearson and Dr. Iain Brownlee, isolated a fiber in seaweed that could possibly reduce the fat absorbed in the body by as much as 75 percent. Consult with your healthcare professional before using seaweed to lose weight.
Studies
The study at Newcastle University tested a natural fiber in sea kelp, alginate, to measure how fat was absorbed and digested when eating it. Their laboratory research showed weight loss was possible, as did a previous study conducted in Japan. Dr. Andrew Weil pointed to the research at Hokkaido University which used a brown seaweed called wakame in salads and soups. It showed seaweed could promote weight loss, but was isolated to obese laboratory rats.
Considerations
According to Science Daily, when the findings from the Newcastle University study were presented at the spring 2010 meeting of the American Chemical Society, researchers admitted that they still had more studies to conduct. They were just beginning to recruit volunteers to see if the results could be proven in wider research. Medline Plus, a division of the U.S. Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, notes that research on bladderwrack, a type of seaweed, does not help encourage weight loss.
Formats
Seaweed for weight loss is sold in a number of formats. You can purchase seaweed supplements on their own or mixed into products. It is sold as an extract, within tablets, capsules and powder. Some companies even make chips and other snacks with seaweed. These supplements include kelp, bladderwrack and other seaweed types. Since the FDA -- the U.S. Food and Drug Administration -- does not regulate supplements, be careful about what is in any that you take.
Warnings
Supplements made of seaweed like bladderwrack can slow blood clotting, according to Medline Plus. You should not take it if you are scheduled to have surgery, as uncontrolled bleeding may occur. This effect may be increased if you are taking certain medications, such as aspirin or ibuprophen. The organization also points out that seaweed plants may contain high concentrations of heavy metals, like arsenic. Pregnant and breast-feeding women should avoid taking seaweed supplements.
Iodine Excess
According to the Linus Pauling Institute of Oregon State University, the amount of iodine in seaweed can be 100 times that found in shrimp. Therefore, seaweed should never be used to lose weight by someone allergic to iodine. Even those tolerant of the mineral should consult with a doctor before taking seaweed. If you do take seaweed, look out for symptoms of iodine poisoning, such as fever, nausea, weak pulse or burning of the throat, stomach or mouth.
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