What Is Brown Seaweed Extract (Fucoxanthin)?
Fucoxanthin is a brownish pigment that gives brown seaweed its
characteristic color and also conducts photosynthesis (the
conversion of light to energy). It is found at high levels in
several different types of brown seaweed, including a type of kelp
that is used in traditional Japanese miso
soup.
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How Does Brown
Seaweed (Fucoxanthin) Work? In new clinical
research from Japan, fucoxanthin appeared to stimulate a
protein, UCP1, that causes fat oxidation and conversion of energy
to heat. The protein is found in white adipose tissue, the type of
fat that surrounds internal organs. As the abdominal area contains
abundant adipose tissue, the compound might be particularly
effective at shrinking excess abdominal fat, the researcher
says.
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Can You Get Enough Ketones from Eating Fresh Brown
Seaweed? Eating lots of seaweed is not the
quickest or most convenient path to weight loss, researchers
caution. They note that a person would probably need to eat
huge amounts of brown seaweed daily to cause noticeable weight
loss. That's because fucoxanthin is tightly bound to proteins in
the seaweed and is not easily absorbed in the form of whole
seaweed. That's why supplementation with capsules containing
concentrated amounts of Fucoxanthin are
recommended. |
What Are the Typical Results? In one
study, Brown Seaweed Extract (Fucoxanthin) was found to
increase metabolic rate by 18.2 percent compared with placebo. In
another, those who took Fucoxanthin lost 4.5 times more weight
than those who just dieted.
Although these
studies are preliminary -- 150 participants total -- the
findings were statistically significant. Both studies were
evaluated by an independent consortium of scientists, who concluded
that the supplement was safe, free of side effects and
non-stimulating.
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