Fucoxanthin is an extract found in many species of seaweed, though most commonly found in brown seaweed. It is widely used in Asian cuisine and is being studied in a clinical environment to determine its health and weight loss benefits. Those who are interested in using it as food can find it in a local Asian food market. However, in order to get the amounts of fucoxanthin shown to work well in clinical studies, supplementation is required.
How Does Fucoxanthin Work?
Fucoxanthin is thought to work by acting as a switch and making the white (bad) fats in the body act like the brown (good) fats. This boosts the metabolism and the fat burning power in the body, to promote weight loss.
It also stimulates the production of DHA fatty acids, which are necessary for the body to function optimally. Healthy fatty acids also help promote fat burning in the body. Increased levels of DHA may also be an effective way to prevent depression, by improving communication between neurotransmitters in the brain. Studies have also shown DHA to be an effective way to help prevent heart disease. Animal studies are showing fucoxanthin is also decreasing resistance to insulin and helping to improve blood sugar levels because of the DHA production. Though not yet tested in humans for this purpose, it may prove to be helpful to diabetics.
Some studies are showing fucoxanthin to work as an antioxidant to protect the body from free radical damage that leads to certain forms of cancer. However, more research needs to be done to determine how fucoxanthin works in the treatment and prevention of cancer, and how effective it is in this use.
Is Fucoxanthin Safe?
When taken at the appropriate doses or used as part of food, fucoxanthin does not show any side effects. However, because seaweed is high in iodine, it is possible that eating too much brown seaweed will cause iodine poisoning. In supplement form, the iodine is removed, making it safer.
Fucoxanthin certainly shows promise in the sense that it seems to be an effective way to burn fat without stimulating the central nervous system. Many fat burning products on the market today come with a slew of side effects such as jitters, irritability, insomnia, and headaches because the body is stimulated too much. Fucoxanthin, on the other hand, can increase the metabolism, without causing those side effects.
