Can adding a little seaweed to your diet really help you lose belly fat?
According to researchers at the Hokkaido University in Japan, yes. At least if you are a mouse, since studies using the seaweed extract fucoxanthin were restricted to rodents.
But that has not stops thousands of weight loss products to pop up claiming you will burn that belly.
Subsequent studies done by Nutraceuticals International used humans
to test the Hokkaido results and those results were impressive with
an average 1 to 1.5 pound weight loss per week.
The Magic Ingredient
Flucoxanthin is a compound found Wakame, a sweet tasting seaweed often added to soups and salads in Japanese cuisine. Wakame seaweed is the most widely consumed seaweed in Japan and its use in the Japanese diet dates back at least 10,000 years.
US $41.21
The Hokkaido researchers found that fucoxanthin increased a fat buring protein called UCP1 that is capable of ridding the body of visceral fat in white adipose tissue that surrounds the internal organs. UCP1 is a key molecule for increasing metabolic (fat burning) thermogenesis.
Dangerous of Belly Fat
Belly fat increases your risk of developing heart disease and diabetes and increases your changes of getting breast cancer.
This particular fat is often the result of hormonal or aging-related weight gain.
The Mystery of Skinny
Scientist have been searching for the answer to why the Asian population is so much slimmer and healthier than the American and European populations. Research on flucoxanthin is yet another attempt to find the missing piece of the puzzle.
Wakame is actually quite good for you and can help alleviate constipation due to its fiber content. It's high in anti-aging antioxidants, which should be high on your anti-aging program list. It's also high in many vitamins and minerals but way too high in sodium to add to your daily or even weekly diet.
Fucoxanthin has no side effects and is good for so it's certainly worth a try if you battle that belly.
The Nutraceuticals study was done over 12 weeks using a dose of 350 mg with an average loss of 10-12 pounds.
What do you have to lose?
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