A natural fiber found in seaweed may be more effective in keeping the body from absorbing fats than most current weight loss products, say researchers from Newcastle University in the U.K.
They found that alginate, a natural fiber found in sea kelp and used by many manufacturers to thicken and stabilize foods, reduces the amount of fat absorbed by the body by up to 75 percent.
"This suggests that if we can add the natural fiber to products commonly eaten daily — such as bread, biscuits, and yogurts — up to three quarters of the fat contained in that meal could simply pass through the body," Dr. Iain Brownlee of Newcastle University said in a statement.
The research team is adding seaweed fiber to bread to see if people can lose weight while eating the bread. If so, the discovery could turn into a dieter's dream as delicious cookies, cakes, and bread could help them lose weight.
"We have already added the alginate to bread, and initial taste tests have been extremely encouraging," Brownlee said. In a blind taste test, bread made with alginate actually scored higher for texture and richness than a standard white loaf. "The next step is to carry out clinical trials to find out how effective they are when eaten as part of a normal diet.
"There are countless claims about miracle cures for weight loss but only a few cases offer any sound scientific evidence to back up these claims,” he said. "Obesity is an ever-growing problem, and many people find it difficult to stick to diet and exercise plans in order to lose weight."
According to the Daily Mail, alginate is more effective than most over-the-counter weight loss products and almost as good as Alli, which is a pill that also works by keeping the body from absorbing fats.
"These initial findings suggest alginates could offer a very real solution in the battle against obesity,” Brownlee said.
According to the National Institutes of Health, more than two-thirds of all U.S. adults are overweight or obese.
Alginate is available in capsules. It is sold as a weight-loss supplement as well as a chelator to help rid the body of toxins.
© 2010 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
