Algae may help fight obesity

ALGAE may one day be used to help combat obesity if Queensland research proves successful.

University of Southern Queensland PhD student Jessica Pahl will spend the next three years studying whether marine algae grown in Townsville has fat- busting properties. Toowoomba- based Ms Pahl said algae, which includes seaweeds, was known to be high in fibre, antioxidants and minerals.

Ms Pahl will study groups of rats over 16 weeks, feeding half a high- carbohydrate, high- fat diet. The remainder will be given healthy food.

After eight weeks, some of the fat rats will be fed different strains of dried algae or algaederived products to see if they lose weight and whether the treatment can reverse issues such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Ms Pahl would not divulge the exact components of the algae products, citing the need to protect intellectual property.

If algae proved promising as a treatment in obese rats, Ms Pahl said she hoped to move into a human trial. If that was successful, obese patients may take algae supplements as a tablet or powder.