A Seaweed for Weight Loss

Wakame, kelp, Arame or Nori are types of brown seaweed, used to flavor Asian soups and salads. Japanese chemists have found that a component in these, a brownish pigment called fucoxanthin, promotes weight loss in obese rats. The researchers, from Japan’s Hokkaido University, said fucoxanthin could be developed into new types of medication to combat obesity.

Fucoxanthin is found principally in brown seaweed, it stimulates the production of UCP1, a protein that increases the burning of fat. This protein is found in the visceral fat that surrounds internal organs in the abdomen – the type of fat linked to heart disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

In the rat study, fucoxanthin from wakame was added to the animals’ regular food. As a result, obese rats lost five to 10 percent of their body weight. The fucoxanthin also appeared to stimulate the liver to produce DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) at levels usually seen with fish oil supplements. DHA can reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and improve triglyceride levels; it’s also a major component of brain tissue.

Also, Last year, research from Newcastle University suggested that seaweed could be a key ingredient to losing weight as a compound found in it stops the body from absorbing fat, Amazing no?

Add to all this Studies have revealed that of seaweeds:

1. Lowers cholesterol and blood lipids.
2. Prevents body weight gain.
3. Improves metabolism of fat and glucose.
4. Promotes excretion of fats.
5. Positively regulates glucose and insulin levels.
6. Reduces inflammation.

Other Health benefits of Seaweed:

1. It is a rich source of protein.
2. It is a good source of iodine which benefits thyroid function.
3. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
4. It has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.
5. Its compounds like fucodian has an anti-cancer effect.
6. It can prevent heart problems and diabetes.
7. It shows potential in treatment of hypertension.
8. It boosts immunity.
9. It serves as plant source of hormone or phytoestrogens.
10. It works as a natural detoxifier.

Precautions:

No drug interactions have been identified.
But the high vitamin K content of seaweed poses a problem if you are consuming warfarin, or any other anticoagulant medication.

So what are you waiting for? Start your weight loss journey by buying some metabolism boosting seaweeds here!

For more information, you can visit lyfebotanicals.com