Anti-obesity by ... seaweed

Japanese scientists have just announced they have found a potential weapon for fighting obesity: seaweed.

Brown kelp (Photo: physorg)

Through tests, scientists at Hokkaido University (Japan) have discovered fucoxanthin - a colorant in brown kelp - that helps reduce 10% of body weight of mice. Research has been reported at a meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Francisco.

Scientists hope fucoxanthin can be developed into a drug or a thinning tablet to kill fat cells in obese people. However, according to Dr. Kazuo Miyashita, the lead researcher, it may take another 3-5 years to bring this pill to market.

According to Dr. Ian Campbell, medical director of a charity association about fucoxanthin concerns about weight loss, the 10% weight loss effect of the experiment is equivalent to the effect of current anti-obesity drugs. .

Brown kelp is a major ingredient in Japanese miso soup. Scientists believe that taking too many of these soups to lose weight may cause some side effects, although studies in mice have shown no adverse side effects in this animal.

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