Abstract
Obesity, which results from an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure, becomes a major health risk factor, causing numerous and various diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Recently, a specific component in brown algae has garnered much attention for its anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects attributable to a unique mechanism. Fucoxanthin, a carotenoid found in brown algae such as Undaria pinnatifida and Sargassum fulvellum, induces uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression in white adipose tissue (WAT). UCP1 is an inner membrane mitochondrial protein that can dissipate energy through oxidation of fatty acids and heat production. Furthermore, fucoxanthin improves insulin resistance and ameliorates blood glucose levels through down-regulation of adipocytokines related to insulin resistance in WAT and up-regulation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in skeletal muscle. Fucoxanthin is a beneficial compound for the prevention of the metabolic syndrome.
