Seaweed used as slimming agent

MANILA, Philippines – Seaweed can make you sexy.

Marco Nemesio Montaño, of the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines-Diliman, said Fucoxanthin, one of the bioactive products derived from seaweed, is being developed into a slimming supplement or drug that targets harmful fat.

Fucoxanthin is a pharmacologically active carotenoid commonly distributed in brown algae.

“In obese animals, the compound appeared to stimulate protein called UCP1 which causes fat to be broken down. The pigment, in the form of fucoxanthinol, also causes the liver to produce DHA, which can help cut levels of bad cholesterol associated with obesity and heart disease,” Montaño explained.

In a new human clinical trial, a patent-pending extract of Fucoxanthin called LipoxanThin showed promising results for fat loss in humans.

“By stimulating the expression of UCP-1 gene in white adipose tissues, Fucoxanthin promotes thermogenesis (fat burning) in white fat cells. No jitters, loss of sleep, or stimulation side effects since the thermogenic effect is achieved without stimulating the central nervous system,” Montaño said.

Fucoxanthin also acts as an antioxidant. It has beneficial effects on chemoprevention of cancer and in animal experiments inhibited the development of intestinal carcinogenesis.

“Fucoxanthin induced apoptosis of human leukemia HL-60 cells and reduces viability of prostate cancer by inducing apoptosis,” Montaño said.

The most known bioactive product sourced from seaweed is carageenan.

Carageenan is widely used in the food industry for its gelling, thickening, and stabilizing properties. Its main application is in dairy and meat products, due to its strong binding to food proteins, but besides these, it is also recognized as a vital ingredient in burn and wound dressing creams and gels.

“Carageenan was found to have antimicrobial activity and enhanced the effectiveness of some antibiotics,” Montaño said.

Another bioactive product present in seaweeds is Fucoidan, sulfated polysaccharide from brown algae known for its ability to act as an anti-contraceptive and reduce cholesterol levels.

Fucoidan also has anti-cancer and anti-thrombotic traits and can also be used as an anti-tumor agent and against the white spot syndrome virus.

According to studies, seaweed consumption reduces the risk of obesity by 43 percent, breast cancer by 58 percent, risk for type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes (34 percent for men and 20 percent for women), and cardiovascular mortality by 27 percent.

Based on research, feasting on seaweed can also lessen the risk of osteoporosis by 78 percent, and allergic rhinosinusitis among pregnant women by 49 percent.

Aquamin tablets, derived from seaweed, reportedly improve motion for patients with mild to moderate arthritis.

“Five grams of sodium alginate added to food reduced glycemic index among type 2 diabetics by 31 percent,” Montano said.

Seaweed’s capacity as animal feed, food enhancer, wood and paper filler, plant growth enhancer, biomass, and ammonia sink has also been reviewed.

Montaño said the Philippines is home to 893 identified seaweed species.  “One hundred ninety seven  species in 20 families for green algae, 153 species in 10 families for brown algae, and 543 species in 52 families for red algae,” he noted.