Seaweeds and Their Current Therapeutic Value
Precedents categorize seaweed for goiter therapies. However, newer notable therapies include, but are not limited to: obesity, antioxidants, antiviral and anti-cancer properties (Smith, 2004). Currently, research has been studying the physiological effects of key compounds in seaweed, such as fucoidan or fucoxanthin.
Battle to the Death: Fucoidan vs Cancer
With regards to cancer, multiple current studies have underlined brown seaweed in cancer prevention/treatment (Smith, 2004; Li, Lu, Wei & Zhao, 2008). In an in vitro cancer study, Kim et al (2010) aimed to determine the effectiveness of fucoidan (from Fucus vesiculosus) on human colon cancer cells, HT-29 and HCT116. The goal was to provide evidence for a natural, low side-effect, prophylactic drug for the fatal colorectal cancer, in which apoptosis is inhibited. The authors employed an MTT assay and flow cytometry methods to determine cell viability post-fucoidan treatment, a common method used in pre-clinical assessments of lead anti-cancer compounds. The study noted reduced cancer cell viability and increased apoptosis (i.e. Increased PARP cleavage, reduced survivin protein, increased release of cytochrome c), post-fucoidan (5-20ug/mL).
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Diagram of colorectal cancer, stages 0 to IV. (Source: amitbhawani.com) |
Results provided enlightenment on fucoidan’s effector mechanisms (i.e. Caspase activation and death-receptor mediation). The study provided control results, error values, significance values (P<0.05) and a standardized amount of fucoidan, making its usage seem feasible. However, the authors suggest eating seaweed alone will provide similar amounts of fucoidan. It is important to note that seaweeds vary, even amongst species, as do substituent ratios (Zimmerman & Delange, 2004). Additionally, in vitro studies detract from physiological complexity, thus in vivo models are required. Though further studies are required, fucoidan appears to be a promising anti-cancer contender.
The Fat Battle: Seaweed vs Obesity
Although obesity is not a traditional ailment, its downstream effects are grave. Studies have attributed seaweed’s weight-management to physical properties of alginate (Paxman, Richardson, Dettmar & Corfe, 2008). However, recent studies focus on more chemical aspects of seaweed. Abidov et al (2010) studied xanthigen, a weight-loss product containing pomegranate seed oil (PSO) and fucoxanthin, on obese non-diabetic, premenopausal women. Obesity has been linked with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which may develop into metabolic syndrome. Overall, NAFLD-women and obese/non-NAFLD women showed significant decreases in body/liver fat as well as waist circumference, in comparison to placebos, with Xanthigen-600/2.4mg supplementation (P<0.05). Fucoxanthin alone showed increased resting energy expenditure (REE) at 8.0mg/day, an important aspect in weight-loss mechanisms (P<0.05), while PSO alone had no effect.
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The effects of excess fat on liver function and disease. (Source: livercondition.org) |
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NAFLD increases risk of both diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Oftentimes, metabolic syndrome is associated with increased waist circumference [woman on left]. (Source: daily-diabetic.com) |
Although study rigor was exemplified via a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study on separate components, its small sample size and short time-frame of 16 weeks undermines fucoxanthin’s role in weight loss. Additionally, the unrealistic dietary restrictions and rigorous check-up makes it difficult to see realistic, successful applications. Despite sample size, the significant clinical results coupled with positive in vivo results in prior studies makes it difficult to ignore the effects of brown seaweed on obesity (Jeon et al, 2010).
The previous studies only highlight current and progressive research in popular areas (i.e. Cancer and weight-loss), but many other seaweed/disease studies exist. Other exciting studies display breast cancer prevention, antiviral action vs herpes, and diabetes management (Yang et al, 2010). However promising results may seem, seaweed studies require greater stringency and homogeneity in species used to gather a more unified consensus on its effects (Zimmerman & Delange, 2004; Smith, 2004).
