Seaweed Weight Loss Patches

Through testing on animals like rats, scientists have discovered that eating brown seaweed may promote weight loss. Also called wakame, it contains the pigment fucoxanthin, which has resulted in 5 to 10 percent loss of total body weight in tested animals.

Expert Insight

• According to a study conducted in Japan in 2006 by Professor Kazuo Miyashita and presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society, fucoxanthin induced the production of a chemical called DHA in the livers of test animals. DHA is known to reduce low density lipoproteins, or "bad cholesterol," which play a role in obesity problems.

Effects

• The same study announced that the fat burned in the tested rats was in the protruding area around the abdomen.

Theories/Speculation

• Prof. Miyashita reported that, in order for fucoxanthin to have a noticeable affect on weight loss, a lot of seaweed would have to be ingested. Instead of prescribing that people eat inordinate amounts of wakame, researchers hope to someday "bottle" or extract the weight loss-inducing fucoxanthin to manufacture weight loss pills.

Considerations

• Though there is no research that provides a definite correlation between seaweed and proven body fat loss, its reputation as a weight loss catalyst has prompted companies to advertise products like the seaweed weight loss patch.

Potential

• Slimming Solutions, a U.K.-based diet and weight loss website, claims that the seaweed patch speeds up metabolism, increases energy and abates appetite.

Warning

• In 2005, the Federal Trade Commission banned two seaweed patches from being sold in the U.S.---Hydro-Gel Slim Patch and Slenderstrip. Charged with making false claims about the effectiveness of these patches and promising consumers unfounded results, the U.K.-based manufacturers are prohibited from any aspect of sales or distribution of food- or drug-related products in the United States. The companies are also subject to financial liabilities of at least $150,000.