Kelp has many positive properties which can aid in the reduction of human body fat. Especially promising is a substance in brown seaweed called Fucoxanthin because it targets abdominal fat as a means of reducing this specific anatomical areas body fat.

This amazing fact was first discovered by Japanese chemists. Brown seaweed is an ingredient used in many Asian soups and salads. It has also been proven in lab studies of animals to promote weight loss through the reduction of accumulated fat. And best of all, the fucoxanthin seems to target abdominal fat by as much as 10 percent!

The compound can be a miracle anti-obesity drug one day- especially among beer bellied men! Kelp forests are found abundant in the California coastline and this could lead to a new market of effective obesity treatment.

According to chemistry professor Kazuo Miyashita, PhD, of Hokkaido University in Hokkaido, Japan, and fucoxanthin seems to target fat by stimulating a UCPI protein in the white adipose tissue. It is believed to hasten the oxidation of fat and convert energy to heat. According to Miyashita, this is the first time that a specific protein reduces fat deposits.

Animal studies have also confirmed that brown seaweed stimulates the liver to produce more DHA at levels comparable to fish oil supplements without any adverse side effects. DHA is a type of omega-3 fatty acid that can help reduce bad cholesterol in the body. And best of all, unlike fish oil, fucoxanthin does not have any unpleasant smell.

No human studies have yet been conducted. It is not yet known if these revelations will prove the effectiveness of fucoxanthin in reducing human fatty deposits but Dr. Miyashita says there are already plans for a future trial to determine this answer. An actual anti-obesity pill containing brown seaweed fucoxanthin could be available in the market in three to five years time.

Brown seaweed is common seaweed found abundantly in the Pacific Ocean. But don't be expecting a significant by eating lots of brown seaweed. Although this is a promising discovery, the bad news is that fucoxanthin is not easily absorbed by the body when eaten. But it won't hurt to add a little of this brown product in your soups and dishes.

Scientists are now trying to find a way to develop an extract of the fucoxanthin that can be easily absorbed by the body. One of the best ways to get the benefits of seaweed when it comes to losing fat is to use it in a concentrated body wrap or a concentrated cream. For shoppers planning to do your own trial to determine if the brown seaweed compound can help, it is advised when examining ingredients on the back of packaging make sure that the seaweed is not in the last three ingredients. The further down the line an ingredient, typically suggests a lessening of the product in the packaged item.