Fat inhibitng supplement from purified seaweed extract?
Discussion
Evening all,
I'm having a fair amount of trouble shifting a few pounds as I do have quite a slow metabolism, little free time due to many working commitmments, and a ridiculously short commute even on foot. I eat very healthily - mainly brown bread toast, bananas, couscous, pasta, rice with steam veg in it, and some red meat and mash 3 times a week or so.
I saw a very interesting article the other day:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26394577
So, it seems alginate inhibits the conversion of carbs to fat. Just what I could do with!
After a bit of googling, I found that the sodium substituted ionic version (Sodium+ Alginate-) is already a common food suopplement, and when mixed with a calcium containing liquid like hard water it ditches sodium to form Calcium Alginate ionic gel which is then safe to eat:
http://www.creamsupplies.co.uk/index.php?act=viewP...
So my question is, would simply adding some of this as a supplement to my food work in the way that the news article suggests, or do I actually need to get the whole seaweed and cook that for it to work?
I'm having a fair amount of trouble shifting a few pounds as I do have quite a slow metabolism, little free time due to many working commitmments, and a ridiculously short commute even on foot. I eat very healthily - mainly brown bread toast, bananas, couscous, pasta, rice with steam veg in it, and some red meat and mash 3 times a week or so.
I saw a very interesting article the other day:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26394577
So, it seems alginate inhibits the conversion of carbs to fat. Just what I could do with!
After a bit of googling, I found that the sodium substituted ionic version (Sodium+ Alginate-) is already a common food suopplement, and when mixed with a calcium containing liquid like hard water it ditches sodium to form Calcium Alginate ionic gel which is then safe to eat:
http://www.creamsupplies.co.uk/index.php?act=viewP...
So my question is, would simply adding some of this as a supplement to my food work in the way that the news article suggests, or do I actually need to get the whole seaweed and cook that for it to work?
ChemicalChaos said:
So, it seems alginate inhibits the conversion of carbs to fat. Just what I could do with!
That's not what it says, it says that it inhibits the digestion and absorption of fat. There is already a drug on the market which does this. The question you have to ask is - if you eat fat, and don't digest it, what happens to it? The answer as far as the drug currently used is concerned is that if you aren't careful to eat a very low fat diet, you'd better have a good supply of clean pants.1. Eat less.
2. Move more.
If you find that difficult, then 5:2 diet may suit, because there is no 'cutting down' 'monitoring calories' you always end up eating or kidding yourself you are eating less than you really are.
If you need a bit of 'encouragement' on a 'fast day', then maybe use Hydroxycut to reduce hunger pains, but the only way is point 1 & 2 above.
2. Move more.
If you find that difficult, then 5:2 diet may suit, because there is no 'cutting down' 'monitoring calories' you always end up eating or kidding yourself you are eating less than you really are.
If you need a bit of 'encouragement' on a 'fast day', then maybe use Hydroxycut to reduce hunger pains, but the only way is point 1 & 2 above.
otolith said:
ChemicalChaos said:
So, it seems alginate inhibits the conversion of carbs to fat. Just what I could do with!
That's not what it says, it says that it inhibits the digestion and absorption of fat. There is already a drug on the market which does this. The question you have to ask is - if you eat fat, and don't digest it, what happens to it? The answer as far as the drug currently used is concerned is that if you aren't careful to eat a very low fat diet, you'd better have a good supply of clean pants.
grumbledoak - I dont eat any cake. Or chocolate. Or any sort of junk food really - both by health choice and budget choice!
Gump - I have been trying to go for a 10 minute job a few times a week but as I said, its just finding a combination of not pissing rain, no major outstanding work and having not less than 4 hours sleep!
Gump - I have been trying to go for a 10 minute job a few times a week but as I said, its just finding a combination of not pissing rain, no major outstanding work and having not less than 4 hours sleep!
OP, you say you have a healthy diet but most of the foods you've listed are Carbs that are quite high GI.
Ideally you want the bulk of your carbs to come from low GI sources, Green veg for the most part. You want your body to motabalise fat for energy instead of putting it away for later and if fat loss is your goal i would be mindful about the amount of fruit you have due to the high sugar content.
Ideally you want the bulk of your carbs to come from low GI sources, Green veg for the most part. You want your body to motabalise fat for energy instead of putting it away for later and if fat loss is your goal i would be mindful about the amount of fruit you have due to the high sugar content.
ChemicalChaos said:
grumbledoak - I dont eat any cake. Or chocolate. Or any sort of junk food really - both by health choice and budget choice!
Maybe not, but everything you listed is either carbs or actually sugar! That is not as healthy as you might think. You should be aiming more for meat and greens, no snacks, eat when you are hungry and don't eat if you are not. That type of regime pretty much takes care of itself if you stick to it.And don't confuse exercise with health. Proper exercise burns fat, makes you hungry, you eat more, sleep more, you get fitter and grow more muscle. You probably do that in the gym. Being a healthy weight (i.e. losing the flab) is mostly done in the kitchen.
Halb said:
ChemicalChaos said:
I'm having a fair amount of trouble shifting a few pounds...
What is your basic metabolic rate?How does your calorie intake break down for the day?
What percentage bodyfat are you?
Do you perform any exercise?
- Typically, whatever is in 2 slices of toast, butter and marmite, then a nutella sandwich and cereal bar, then either a bowl of pasta 4 days a week or a pork chop/mince stew 3 days a week
- 18%, according to this: http://www.bmi-calculator.net/body-fat-calculator/
- Cycle 10-12 miles a week, commute by walking 300m each way into uni every day. I know my exercise hasnt been brilliant recently (since I stopped commuting up bristol's massive hills every day) but I am aiming to add 4 miles of jogging a week into my regime
There is no easy, quick fix. Whatever weight you might lose through taking seaweed extract will be back on plus some as soon as you stop.
Are you a student?
If so you must have oodles of spare time, so what if it's raining. If it ain't raining it ain't training! Lose the bread, pasta and cous cous and eat more meat and veg. Then exercise. That's all it takes, stop looking for excuses and just get on with it.
I am the worlds best procrastinator but seriously this is the only way.
Are you a student?
If so you must have oodles of spare time, so what if it's raining. If it ain't raining it ain't training! Lose the bread, pasta and cous cous and eat more meat and veg. Then exercise. That's all it takes, stop looking for excuses and just get on with it.
I am the worlds best procrastinator but seriously this is the only way.
Huntsman said:
ChemicalChaos said:
brown bread couscous, pasta, rice
Too many carbs, body saves unused carbs as fat.Just cut out the carbs to maybe one day a week and then see the weight drop off.
I did this for 2 months and went from a 34 waist to a comfortable 32 waist. Of course there were some gym session in there too, but the lack of carbs forced my body to search for fuel from the fat cells.
Yes, also posted on Monday.
ChemicalChaos said:
Strong blend, black, with a tablespoon of hot chocolate powder and a tablespoon of syrup in it.
Instant sugar rush from the choccy and syrup, followed by a longer caffiene high from the coffee.
Makes me very productive!
Very conflicting.Instant sugar rush from the choccy and syrup, followed by a longer caffiene high from the coffee.
Makes me very productive!

Edited by GG89 on Friday 7th March 00:00
GG89 said:
Yes, also posted on Monday.
I have 1, maybe 2 cups of that sugared coffee a week, if that. Therefore, I didnt consider it worth mentioning in the grand scheme of thingsChemicalChaos said:
Strong blend, black, with a tablespoon of hot chocolate powder and a tablespoon of syrup in it.
Instant sugar rush from the choccy and syrup, followed by a longer caffiene high from the coffee.
Makes me very productive!
Very conflicting.Instant sugar rush from the choccy and syrup, followed by a longer caffiene high from the coffee.
Makes me very productive!

Edited by GG89 on Friday 7th March 00:00
_Deano said:
As above.
Just cut out the carbs to maybe one day a week and then see the weight drop off.
I did this for 2 months and went from a 34 waist to a comfortable 32 waist. Of course there were some gym session in there too, but the lack of carbs forced my body to search for fuel from the fat cells.
Potentially daft question, but what do I replace the carbs with? Eg, I cant have chicken protein every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner...Just cut out the carbs to maybe one day a week and then see the weight drop off.
I did this for 2 months and went from a 34 waist to a comfortable 32 waist. Of course there were some gym session in there too, but the lack of carbs forced my body to search for fuel from the fat cells.
ChemicalChaos said:
Potentially daft question, but what do I replace the carbs with? Eg, I cant have chicken protein every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner...
Chicken isn't the only meat with protein in. Pork has a high protein content and I believe beef isn't far behind, not sure on lamb as I never eat it. Generally any lean meat will contain protein, so you could eat veal, ostrich whatever the heck you wanted. Carbs need to come from vegetables leafy green veg or broccoli is the best but any veg will be better than what you've been eating. They are low on the GI scale, if you really feel the need to continue eating pasta/rice/potatoes then swap to wholemeal versions or sweet potato. Or you can grate up courgettes into tiny thin strips and use them instead of pasta, remarkably similar in texture. There are a million and one things you can cook/eat that are healthy without being processed and full of carbs.
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Put. The cake. Down.