missing from many patient charts17,20.
The role of body cleansing or detoxification seems to have emerged in clinical practice with the increasing recognition of the role of body toxicity in weight gain22. Obesity (obesitis) and syndrome X are associated with a “pro-inflammatory body status” (obesitis)16. This makes eicosapentanoic acid (EPA in enteric-coated fish oil supplements) an important adjunctive weight loss supplements18,20. EPA is both anti-inflammatory and it sensitizes the action of insulin by effects on PPAR receptor complexes18.
Seaweeds may contain variable amounts of marine, omega-3 fatty acids9. An interesting amplification of the weight loss effects of fucose complexes may occur with the use of non-stimulant, appetite suppressant supplements, such as Hoodia gordonii or Caralluma fimbriata23, 24. Of course, a combat against an overweight status, metabolic syndrome X and prediabetes are pivotal in the prevention of type II diabetes16,18.
Conclusion
Overweight individuals and their care-givers have become desperate when fat storage in the body is recalcitrant. This circumstance precipitates a willingness to look for “easy ways out” and “quick fixes.” Desperate individuals may tend to accept “hyperbolic claims” of the effects of drugs or supplements. There is no quick fix for the nation’s obesity. While diets are not “stand-alone” interventions for weight control, nor are drugs or dietary supplements. The examination of groups of individuals who have controlled their weight over extended periods of time shows that such individuals have taken a multipronged approach to weight control17,18. Weight management is a holistic medical venture16,25.
References
Van Den Hoek, C., Mann, D.G., H.M., Jahn, 1995, Algae: An Introduction to Phycology, Cambridge University, Press, Cambridge, UK
Newton, Lily, 1931, A Handbook of the British Seaweeds, British Museum, London, UK
Jimenez-Escrig, A., Jimenez-Jimenez, I., Pudilo, R., Saura-Calixto, F., 2001, Antioxidant activity of fresh and processed edible seaweed, Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 81(5): 530-534
Yan, X.J., Chuda, Y., Suzuki, M., Nagata, T., 1999, Fucoxanthin as the major antioxidant in Hijikia fusiformis, a common edible seaweed, Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry, 63(3): 605-607
Lee, S.M., Lewis, J., Buss, D.H., Holcombe, G.D., Lawrence, P.R., 1994, Iodine in British foods and diets, British Journal of Nutrition, 435-446
Moro, C.O., Basile, G., 2000, Obesity and medicinal plants, Fitoterapia, 71: S73-S82
Holt, S., 2008, Detoxify your way to a healthier, leaner you, Doctors Prescription for Healthy Living, 12(2):27
Thomas, D.N., 2002, Seaweeds, The Natural History Museum, London UK
Web listings and internet resources provide abundant information on algae: www.museumoflondon.org, www.algaebase.org, www.seaweed.ie, www.wikipedia.org, www.surialink.com, www.fao.org
Roeck-Holtzhauer, Y.de, 1991, Uses of seaweeds in cosmetics, in Guiry, M.D., Blunden, G, 1991, Seaweed Resources in Europe: Uses and Potential, John Wiley & Sons
Miyashita, K., 2007, Anti-obesity by marine lipids, Obesity Epidemiology, Pathophysiology and Prevention, Bagchi, D, Preuss, H.G., Eds, CRC Taylor & Francis, New York, 463-475
Maeda, H., Hosokawa, M., Sashima T., Takahashi, N., Kawada, T., Miyashita, K., 2006, Fucoxanthin and its metabolite, fucoxanthinol, suppress adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-l1 cells, Int. J. Mole. Med., 18: 147-152
Maeda, H., Hosokawa, M., Sashima, T., Funayama, K., Miyashita, K., 2005, Fucoxanthin from edible seaweed, Undaria pinnatifida, shows antiobesity effect through UCP1 expression in white adipose tissues, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm, 332: 392-397
LipoxanThin™, Grantoil™, www.specialtynutrition.com
Data on file, Natural Clinician LLC, 2008
Holt S., 2007 Metabolic Syndrome: Syndrome X, Y, Z…?, Townsend Letter, 286: 91-103 /Holt, S., 2004, Enhancing Low Carb Diets, Wellness Publishing Inc., Little Falls, New Jersey
Holt, S., 2002, Combat Syndrome X,Y,Z, Wellness Publishing Inc., Little Falls, New Jersey
Holt, S., 2005, The Supreme Properties of Hoodia Gordonii, Wellness Publishing Inc., Little Falls, New Jersey
Holt, S., Wright, J.V., Taylor, T.V., Holt, F.G.S., 2003, Nutritional Factors for Syndrome X, Wellness Publishing Inc., Little Falls, New Jersey
Holt, S., 2008, A Certification Program for Dietary Supplement Counselors, Wellness Publishing Inc., Little Falls, New Jersey
Baille-Hamilton, P., 2002 The Detox Diet, Michael Joseph, an Imprint of Penguin Books, London, UK
Holt, S., Taylor, T.V., 2006, Hoodia gordonii: Part 1: an overview of biological and botanical characteristics, Townsend Letter, 280: 104-113
Holt, S., Taylor, T.V., 2006, Hoodia gordonii: Part 2: separating science from speculation, Townsend Letter, 281: 99-104 Crister, Greg, 2003, Fat Land, Allen Lane, an Imprint of Penguin Books, London, UK