A team of UK scientists from Newcastle University are engaged in research that shows that dietary fibre contained in alginates from commercially used sea kelp, can help reduce the amount of fat absorbed by the body by up to 75 per cent.
Natural Fibre and Weight Loss
The research team, led by Dr. Iain Brownlee and Professor Jeff Pearson, presented their findings on 22 March, 2010 at the American Chemical Society Spring meeting in San Francisco. The team has discovered that Alginate, a natural fibre contained in sea kelp, prevents the body from absorbing fat better than any other currently available over-the-counter treatments.
Using an artificial gut, they tested the effectiveness of more than 60 different natural fibres by measuring the amount of fat that was digested and absorbed with each treatment. "The aim of this study was to put these products to the test and our initial findings are that alginates significantly reduce fat digestion," explained Dr. Brownlee at an interview during the event.
Alginate lines the walls of the digestive system and prevents dietary fat passing through. The types of seaweed identified as carrying alginate are Lessonia and Laminaria. They are native to the Far East, South America and parts of Norway and Scotland, although they could be harvested anywhere.
Weight Loss Treatments and Side Effects
While there are a variety of so-called dietary and weight loss preparations and treatments, there is very little in the way of scientific evidence to prove that they actually work, and many of them can cause unpleasant side effects. Prof. Jeff Pearson explains the advantages of using alginates:
“Some of the existing obesity pills work by inhibiting the enzyme lipase, which digests fat; but the fat is diverted into the colon, where it is digested by bacteria, causing bloating. Alginates from seaweed also inhibit this enzyme, but they don’t produce the same adverse side effects.”
Seaweed Holds the Key to Obesity Problems
Many people are put off dieting because they don’t find diets very appetising, they are too busy to find the time to invest in the planning and preparation of food, or lack the necessary discipline to sustain a dietary regime over time.
One of the main advantages of using alginates is that they can be added to common foodstuffs that are already part of everyday eating habits. As Dr. Brownlee explains:
"This suggests that if we can add the natural fibre to products commonly eaten daily – such as bread, biscuits and yoghurts – up to three quarters of the fat contained in that meal could simply pass through the body.”
There are other benefits, too, as Dr. Brownlee points out:
“Many people find it difficult to stick to diet and exercise plans in order to lose weight. Alginates not only have great potential for weight management but adding them to food also boosts overall fibre content.”
It has been reported that many celebrities already drink seaweed based smoothies and shakes as part of their dietary programs. Victoria Beckham, Madonna and Cindy Crawford have all admitted using seaweed smoothies to help them lose and manage their weight.
This new research project, which is scheduled to run over a three year period, looks exciting and could provide a real boost in the fight against obesity.
Reference: (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/camb/research/publication/70426)
Institute for Cell and Molecular Bioscience
Alister Gillies - Alister's background is in project development. He is trained in counselling and personal development, although his academic background is ...
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