What is it?
Basically, it is the stuff that turns seaweed brown. It is a natural carotenoid or pigment found in kelp, a type of brown seaweed. Studies have suggested that ingesting it will burn fat.
The Study:
Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) is usually expressed only in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and a key molecule for metabolic thermogenesis to avoid an excess of fat accumulation. However, there is little BAT in adult humans. Therefore, UCP1 expression in tissues other than BAT is expected to reduce abdominal fat. Here, we show reduction of abdominal white adipose tissue (WAT) weights in rats and mice by feeding lipids from edible seaweed, Undaria pinnatifida. Clear signals of UCP1 protein and mRNA were detected in WAT of mice fed the Undaria lipids, although there is little expression of UCP1 in WAT of mice fed control diet. The Undaria lipids mainly consisted of glycolipids and seaweed carotenoid, fucoxanthin. In the fucoxanthin-fed mice, WAT weight significantly decreased and UCP1 was clearly expressed in the WAT, while there was no difference in WAT weight and little expression of UCP1 in the glycolipids-fed mice. This result indicates that fucoxanthin upregulates the expression of UCP1 in WAT, which may contribute to reducing WAT weight.
The Claims:
It gives a metabolic boost without stimulated the central nervous system. That means no jitters or nights with no sleep if you take it or eat it. Research is proving this claim to be a fact.
It assists in weight loss. So far no human studies have proved this to be an effective fat burner or weight loss supplement. The health benefits of it are not challenged as we all know the benefits of omega 3 on health. But specific to weight loss you may be wasting your time taking supplements or eating an ocean of seaweed.
Conclusion:
No argument that eating a healthier diet with more Omega 3s is good for you. But if you are considering purchasing an expensive supplement or taking up sushi as a snack to aid in weight loss you are barking up the wrong ocean.