Deep sea water, which is filled with minerals, can exhibit anti-obesity effects, a study published in Marine Drugs has found, by regulating lipolysis, fatty acid oxidation and inflammation in rats fed a high-fat diet. The material used in the study was D-minneralz – which contains over 70 kinds of minerals and trace elements – from the Taiwan Yes Deep Ocean Water Company.
Deep-sea water is a natural marine resource that has long been utilized for food, agriculture, cosmetics and medicines, due to its high mineral content, say the company. D-minneralz has been found to reduce body weight, decrease cholesterol levels and increase fecal lipid, cholesterol and triglycerides, reports the company, however, the aim of this study was to investigate if it has beneficial lipid metabolic effects for weight management in an animal model.
“In general, most studies related to weight management examine biochemical indicators and body weight as proof of efficacy, same as this study. However, this study is an animal experiment, which compensates for the disadvantages of human experiments in order to study the change in adipocyte (fat cells). The research clearly shows D-minneralz decreases the adipocyte size,” Chin-Lin Hsu, the study author tells NutritionInsight.
“Moreover, the study measures the gene expression and proposes possible pathways (lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation) of D-minneralz. So, it’s not only effective but also now has a scientific basis,” she adds.
Overall, the researchers note that the results indicate that lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation are potential molecular mechanisms through which deep sea minerals exhibit a beneficial anti-obesity effect in rats with high-fat diet-induced obesity.
The company report that on the basis is this research, in particular, D-minneralz can be used in a range of applications for weight management such as supplements, functional drinks and sports drinks.
Deep sea potential
Deep ocean water and minerals are taken from deep below (150-1500 meters) sea level, in areas isolated from light and air. The water at this depth is said to contain large amounts of minerals and trace elements that are essential for life.
NutritionInsight has previously reported on deep ocean minerals as possessing promise for use in exercise supplementation for middle-aged men. This study, published in Frontiers of Physiology, found that deep ocean minerals (DOM) had a significant effect on the cerebral hemoglobin levels of middle-aged men during and post-exercise. The data suggest that minerals and trace elements from deep oceans hold potential in developing supplements to increase the cerebral hemodynamic response against a physical challenge and during post-exercise recovery for middle-aged men.
