A-Z weight loss aid Articles

Bladderwrack is an edible brown seaweed (Fucus vesiculosus) that is extremely rich in health-promoting nutrients. It contains vitamin A, and vitamin C, plus macro minerals and trace minerals. 

Bladderwrack contains a large dose of iodine and was the plant from which iodine was originally discovered. Iodine is a major component of thyroid hormone, the hormone responsible for setting the body's metabolic rate. 

Natural health practitioners recommend kelp for a variety of conditions including hypothyroidism, hair loss, ulcers, constipation, poor mineral status, and some female hormone imbalances.

Iodine Content In Bladderwrack

Due to the depletion of iodine in the soil, it has become extremely difficult to get sufficient amounts from diet alone. To counter this problem, staple foods like table salt are enriched with iodine to help cover the gap. In the case of iodized salt, the inorganic form of iodine is added. Natural, organic sources, such as those derived from bladderwrack are much more absorbable and easier for the thyroid gland to use than the inorganic (mined) sources found in enriched foods.

Top Health Benefits of Bladderwrack

In addition to the vitamins and iodine, bladderwrack also contains mucilage (soothing soluble fibre), and many essential minerals. Bladderwrack's mineral content supports the brain, nerves, blood vessels, hair, skin and nails. It also contains zeaxanthin, which can help to protect the eye from oxidative and light-induced damage.

Iodine Content and Radioactive Iodine

Because of the rich iodine content, bladderwrack has the potential to protect the thyroid from taking up radioactive iodine in the case of a nuclear disaster, as seen in Japan in March 2011. Radioactive iodine is strongly associated with the development of thyroid cancer, especially in infant and child populations. The iodine found in bladderwrack binds with receptors on the thyroid gland, essentially filling the receptors, making it impossible for radioactive iodine to bind and be utilized by the gland in the making of thyroid hormone. This can provide short-term protection against a sudden threat. Excess iodine can cause thyroid dysfunction; therefore, it is not advised long-term, especially in children. Individuals with a hyperthyroid condition are not advised to take bladderwrack or iodine.

Hypothyroidism

Some cases of hypothyroidism can be attributed to a lack of iodine and this causes a swollen thyroid (goitre). When there is insufficient iodine available to the thyroid gland, it is not able to produce sufficient thyroid hormone. Thus, it cannot properly regulate the body's metabolism, a condition known as hypothyroidism. Hypothyroid individuals experience many symptoms due to a lack of thyroid hormone including fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, constipation, and frequent colds and flu.

Menstrual Cycle Regulation

Many women have difficulty with irregular cycles and menstrual-associated diseases. One 2004 study found that taking 700-1400mg/day of bladderwrack helped to increase the menstrual cycle length and decrease the days of menstruation per cycle. Thus bladderwrack can help to regulate the female menstrual cycle.

Heartburn

The soluble fibre found in bladderwrack can help to coat the digestive tract and protect it against damage by refluxed stomach acid. Because of this, bladderwrack is often found in supplements for the treatment of heartburn (acid reflux).

Where Can I Find Bladderwrack?

Bladderwrack can be eaten raw but it is usually found dried, or powdered for use as a salt substitute. Supplemental bladderwrack can be found in tablet form, and also as a tea. 

In supplement form, iodine is usually derived from natural seaweed sources and is available in both liquid and capsule or tablet, forms. The standardized types of these supplements contain a higher level of iodine and a consistent amount in each tablet – usually about 150mcg (0.15mg). This is the preferred form for clinical use in low thyroid conditions, while the unstandardized bladderwrack is suitable for people in need of a daily supplement for health maintenance. 

Women seeking to balance their menstrual cycle can supplement bladderwrack at between 700 and 1400mg daily.

For those of you looking to lose weight, but who love your carbohydrates - bread, pastas, baked goods, and more, you may be interested in White Kidney bean extract, often marketed as Phase 2.

What is White Kidney Bean Extract?

Phaseolamine, Phaseolus vulgaris, or phase II (2) is a starch blocker. It is thought to support weight loss by preventing the digestion of complex carbohydrates, therefore preventing, or at the very least reducing, the amount of digested calories. This extract inhibits a digestive enzyme called alpha amylase, which breaks down complex carbohydrates into simple sugars to be digested.

Benefits of White Kidney Bean

Weight Loss Benefits

Weight loss can be challenging for even the most dedicated of individuals. What we have come to understand over recent years is that refined carbohydrates seem to play a much larger role in weight gain than fats themselves. Phase II may provide a way for you to continue to eat the foods you love and still lose excess weight. The alpha amylase blocker action of White Kidney Bean extract may allow complex carbohydrates to pass through both the small intestine and colon without being absorbed, or at the very least significantly reducing the amount of simple sugars that are being absorbed. These starches are thought to be eliminated rather than digested. In this case, despite the fact that we are ingesting the foods, they are not adding to our daily caloric count.

White Kidney Beans Efficacy

Although studies do seem to confirm the relative safety of using white kidney bean for weight loss (under 5 g/kg of body weight), the ability of these same studies to prove any effectiveness in terms of weight loss has not been as successful. Some professionals will argue that even if the carbohydrates do bypass the small intestine undigested, when they reach the colon, the starches are exposed to the colon's 'friendly' bacteria, which will then ferment the starches. This fermentation process inevitably causes much painful gas and diarrhea. Some experts argue that starch blockers are actually not doing their job unless they are causing these gas and diarrhea symptoms, and that these symptoms may be the only way to verify that these products are working. Studies have also shown there to be no increase in carbohydrates in the stool of individuals taking Phase II, as opposed to those taking a placebo.

Tips For Using White Kidney Bean

White kidney bean extract is available at most health food stores, usually in capsule form. It is also found in many weight loss combinations, with other effective weight loss supplements, such as green tea extract, CLA, and coleus. As mentioned, keep doses under 5 g/kg of body weight to avoid any toxicity. Anywhere from 1500 -2000mg can be taken with all starch-rich meals.

Safety Information

There has been some controversy surrounding the use of white kidney bean extract for weight loss. The white kidney bean, along with the light and dark red kidney bean, is thought, by some, to be toxic. These beans contain a protein that binds to starches in call membranes and blocks digestion. These beans can cause nausea, vomiting and severe diarrhea if they are not cooked at high temperatures for a minimum of 10-15 minutes. This 'toxic effect' will not persist after high-temperature cooking. Animal studies have disputed any toxic effect of white kidney bean extract when used as a supplement, even in much higher than recommended dosages (2 g/kg of body weight); it was found to possess no danger. At doses higher than 5 g/kg of body weight, acute toxicity may be observed.