Sesamin is a naturally occurring lignan that is present in pure
sesame oil. For your information, a lignan is broadly considered
an antioxidant that is present in unfiltered and unrefined seeds
of sesame, pumpkin and flax as well as many other foods. Besides
being a strong antioxidant, sesamin has shown great promise as a
lipid oxidizer. Its main mechanism for fatty acid oxidation (fat
burning) is triggered by the enzyme known as PPAR-alpha.
PPAR-alpha (Peroxisome Proliferator-Activator Receptor Alpha) is
documented to exist in muscle, the liver and adipose tissue
(fat). Sesamin being a strong activator of this enzyme
(PPAR-alpha) is also involved in the beta-oxidation of fatty
acids while simultaneously decreasing lipogenesis, or in simple
terms, the accretion of new fatty acids. In other words,
PPAR-alpha activation is directly correlated with increasing fat
burning in muscle tissue. Which is a good thing!
Due to
sesamin's strong beta-oxidizing properties the substance can
also affect leptin levels and is documented to restore insulin
sensitivity in obese rodents. Insulin sensitivity is often
impaired in those whose body fat levels exceed 15% and above. In
more simple terms, by providing the necessary substrate; sesamin
is believed to act as a thermostat of sorts that can regulate
leptin as well as insulin levels from within the body keeping
both in optimal balance.
Sesamin and Ketosis
Sesamin is
a welcomed addition for those who are on ketogenic diets as it
is known to increase ketone production thereby sparing lean
muscle tissue that is otherwise lost through amino acid
conversion, usually sacrificed to fuel the body on low carb
diets. Ketogenesis (or the formation of ketones) becomes a major
fuel factor on low carb (Atkins) diets as the brain cannot be
driven by fatty acids and thereby relies on glucose first..and
ketones second. So essentially, without Sesamin in your diet,
the body will tap into muscle tissue for its ketone needs since
carbohydrates are obviously kept at bay (at least in those who
are on ketogenic or low carbohydrate diets).
In Closing
Sesamin is an excellent addition to anybody's workout regimen,
not only to increase fat burning, but also for its overall
anti-oxidant and nutrient partioning properties.
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