Fucoxanthin

Brown powder

Fixed

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Fucoxanthin belongs to the group of xanthophylls and is in addition to chlorophyll as a dye in the chloroplasts of brown algae present, which allows them to operate more efficiently photosynthesis because fucoxanthin absorbs mainly the greenish part of the light spectrum ( with a maximum at about 510-525 nm), the chlorophyll reflects unused. Fucoxanthin is also found in marine sponges, snails, and bird feathers.

Applications

In 2006, the press reported about the connection because a Japanese research group of the University of Hokkaidō to Kazuo Miyashita announced the results of a study of more than 200 rats and mice. This showed in taking the compound in pure form up to 10% fat reduction of the animals, which fueled speculation about the use of anti-obesity connection. The effect is based according to the study on two different mechanisms of action. In obese animals, the substance stimulates a protein expression of Thermogenin ( UCP1 uncoupling proteins by one). The gene for UCP1 is essential for the regulation of energy absorption from the diet and the energy conversion of chemical energy. If it is activated, excess energy in the form of heat is radiated and not converted into chemical energy. The second effect of the substance lies in the ability to support the production of docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA) in the liver.

Since brown seaweed ( Undaria pinnatifida ) are among the most important ingredients of Japanese miso soup and the dye in these occurs, continued speculation about their weight loss effects. However, the researchers disagreed with this assumption because fucoxanthin is bound to proteins in the seaweed and thus can not be easily absorbed. Since nothing was known about dosage and side effects of the substance in its pure form when used in humans at this time and up to a 10 % reduction of fat is not a solution for obesity, provide physicians were skeptical to the agent. Meanwhile, a double-blind study in humans has been published.