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How Fucoidan Benefits Your Gut Health and Microbiome

An ever-growing body of research highlights the potential of fucoidan, a natural bioactive compound found in brown seaweed, to benefit several areas of human health. One key area is fucoidan's positive influence on the gut microbiota and overall digestive health.

What is Fucoidan?

Fucoidan is a fucose-containing polysaccharide, naturally occurring in brown seaweed species such as Fucus vesiculosus, Cladosiphon okamuranusLaminaria japonica, and Undaria pinnatifida.[1]

Some of the studied biological actions of fucoidan include:

  • Anti-inflammatory[2]
  • Antioxidant[3]
  • Antibacterial[4]
  • Antiviral[5]
  • Immunomodulatory[6]

With its wide range of beneficial properties, seaweed supplements containing fucoidan hold the potential to benefit individuals with various health conditions. This article will focus on the emerging evidence of fucoidan on gut and digestive health. For other areas of health that fucoidan can benefit, see this article: Discover Fucoidan: 5 Key Health Benefits.

Hand-harvesting of fucoidan-containing seaweed Undaria pinnatifida

Fucoidan Encourages a Healthier Gut Microbiota

Our understanding of the complexity of the gut microbiome and its impact on human health increases year after year. Gut microbiota comprises microorganisms living in the digestive tract, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses.

Improving your microbial diversity can improve your intestinal microbiome, which will reward you in many areas of health. A rapidly expanding body of research demonstrates the potential of fucoidan to support gut and digestive health.

Studies are beginning to reveal fucoidan’s potential to assist the gut in the following ways:

  • Maintain the balance of bacteria: Fucoidan has shown to help balance gut microbiota by promoting beneficial bacteria while inhibiting harmful ones.[7],[8] For instance, fucoidan has been shown to encourage the growth of Bacteroides, a beneficial gut bacterium, while inhibiting the binding of pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa.[9]
  • Increase the production of short-chain fatty acids[10]: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are produced by the good bacteria in your large intestine through the fermentation of dietary fibre you have eaten. They are crucial for gut health and overall health. SCFAs help regulate gut pH and support overall gut function.[11]
  • Reduce gut inflammation and colitis: Fucoidan has been found to lower inflammation levels in the gut significantly, offering protection against conditions like colitis.[12] Another investigation found that fucoidans support microbiota composition and consequently control gut inflammatory symptoms.[13]
  • Inhibit pathogenic bacteria: It has been shown to block the adhesion of harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Helicobacter pylori, reducing the risk of infections.[14] Research published in February 2023 examined the ability of high-purity fucoidans to decolonise pathogenic bacteria (remove harmful amounts of bacteria) and support a healthy gut microbiome.[15] 

 Seaweed and fucoidan powders

High-Purity Fucoidans: Clinical Insights

Research involving high-purity fucoidans extracted from Tasmanian hand-harvested Undaria seaweed has shown promising results. These fucoidans have inhibited the adhesion of H. pylori—a common cause of gastric ulcers—to gastric epithelial cells (the gut lining).[16] In mouse models, fucoidans significantly reduced the clinical symptoms and inflammation associated with acute colitis[17] and showed protective effects in alcohol-induced gastric ulcers.[18]

Furthermore, in a clinical study with professional athletes, high-purity fucoidan extracted from Fucus vesiculosus and Undaria pinnatifida seaweeds promoted the secretion of antimicrobial peptides and contributed to the regulation of mucosal inflammation.[19] In other words, the increase in antimicrobial peptides gave the athletes protection from microorganisms that can cause sickness, by supporting the gut barrier immunity.

Where to Buy Fucoidan in Australia

If you want to add fucoidan to your health regimen, you can find high-quality fucoidan supplements in Australia. When choosing a fucoidan supplement, it's important to select a product that is pure and has been tested for quality. For tips on selecting the right natural health supplement, refer to our guide on how to select high-quality supplements.

Incorporating Fucoidan into Your Wellness Routine

Incorporating fucoidan into your wellness routine may significantly benefit gut and digestive health. As research evolves, this marine-derived compound presents an exciting avenue for enhancing gut microbiota, supporting probiotic function, and protecting against various gastrointestinal conditions.[20] Fucoidan's potential makes it a valuable addition to healthy, balanced diets. Click here to read more scientifically backed ways to improve your gut health naturally.

 

 

 

References:

[1] Fitton JH. Therapies from fucoidan; multifunctional marine polymers. Mar Drugs. 2011;9(10):1731-1760. doi: 10.3390/md9101731. Epub 2011 Sep 30. PMID: 22072995; PMCID: PMC3210604.

[2] Young Park, Min Ho Han, Cheol Park, Cheng-Yun Jin, Gi-Young Kim, Il-Whan Choi, Nam Deuk Kim, Taek-Jeong Nam, Taeg Kyu Kwon, Yung Hyun Choi, Anti-inflammatory effects of fucoidan through inhibition of NF-κB, MAPK and Akt activation in lipopolysaccharide-induced BV2 microglia cells, Food and Chemical Toxicology, Volume 49, Issue 8, 2011,Pages 1745-1752, ISSN 0278-6915, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2011.04.020.

[3] Biswajita Pradhan, Srimanta Patra, Rabindra Nayak, et al. Multifunctional role of fucoidan, sulfated polysaccharides in human health and disease: A journey under the sea in pursuit of potent therapeutic agents, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Volume 164, 2020, Pages 4263-4278, ISSN 0141-8130, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.09.019. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141813020343725)

[4] Biswajita Pradhan, Srimanta Patra, Rabindra Nayak, et al. Multifunctional role of fucoidan, sulfated polysaccharides in human health and disease: A journey under the sea in pursuit of potent therapeutic agents, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Volume 164, 2020, Pages 4263-4278, ISSN 0141-8130, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.09.019.

[5] Biswajita Pradhan, Rabindra Nayak, Srimanta Patra, Prajna Paramita Bhuyan, Pradyota Kumar Behera, Amiya Kumar Mandal, Chhandashree Behera, Jang-Seu Ki, Siba Prasad Adhikary, Davoodbasha MubarakAli, Mrutyunjay Jena, A state-of-the-art review on fucoidan as an antiviral agent to combat viral infections, Carbohydrate Polymers, Volume 291, 2022,119551, ISSN 0144-8617, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.119551.

[6] Apostolova E, Lukova P, Baldzhieva A, Katsarov P, Nikolova M, Iliev I, Peychev L, Trica B, Oancea F, Delattre C, Kokova V. Immunomodulatory and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Fucoidan: A Review. Polymers (Basel). 2020 Oct 13;12(10):2338. doi: 10.3390/polym12102338. PMID: 33066186; PMCID: PMC7602053.

[7] Min Liu, Lin Ma, Qichao Chen, Pengyu Zhang, Chao Chen, Lilin Jia, Huajun Li,

Fucoidan alleviates dyslipidemia and modulates gut microbiota in high-fat diet-induced mice,

Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 48, 2018, Pages 220-227, ISSN 1756-4646,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2018.07.006.

[8] Huang J, Huang J, Li Y, Lv H, Yin T, Fan S, Zhang C, Li H. Fucoidan Protects Against High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity and Modulates Gut Microbiota in Institute of Cancer Research Mice. J Med Food. 2021 Oct;24(10):1058-1067. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2021.K.0030. PMID: 34668763.

[9] Min Liu, Lin Ma, Qichao Chen, Pengyu Zhang, Chao Chen, Lilin Jia, Huajun Li,

Fucoidan alleviates dyslipidemia and modulates gut microbiota in high-fat diet-induced mice,

Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 48, 2018, Pages 220-227, ISSN 1756-4646,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2018.07.006.

[10] Weiyun Zheng, Jinhui Jia, Chenxi Zhang, Panpan Zhang, Shuang Song, Chunqing Ai,

Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan ameliorates dietary fiber deficiency-induced inflammation and lipid abnormality by modulating mucosal microbiota and protecting intestinal barrier integrity, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Volume 247, 2023,125724, ISSN 0141-8130, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125724.

[11] Xiong RG, Zhou DD, Wu SX, Huang SY, Saimaiti A, Yang ZJ, Shang A, Zhao CN, Gan RY, Li HB. Health Benefits and Side Effects of Short-Chain Fatty Acids. Foods. 2022 Sep 15;11(18):2863. doi: 10.3390/foods11182863. PMID: 36140990; PMCID: PMC9498509.

[12] Lean QY, Eri RD, Fitton JH, Patel RP, Gueven N. Fucoidan Extracts Ameliorate Acute Colitis. PLoS One. 2015 Jun 17;10(6):e0128453. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128453. PMID: 26083103; PMCID: PMC4471193.

[13] Yang JY, Lim SY. Fucoidans and Bowel Health. Mar Drugs. 2021 Jul 30;19(8):436. doi: 10.3390/md19080436. PMID: 34436275; PMCID: PMC8401300.

[14] Chua, Eng-Guan, Verbrugghe, Phebe, Perkins, Timothy T., Tay, Chin-Yen, Fucoidans Disrupt Adherence of Helicobacter pylori to AGS Cells In VitroEvidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine,  2015, 120981, 6 pages,  2015. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/120981

[15] Janapatla, R.P., Dudek, A., Chen, CL. et al. Marine prebiotics mediate decolonization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from gut by inhibiting secreted virulence factor interactions with mucins and enriching Bacteroides population. J Biomed Sci 30, 9(2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12929-023-00902-w

[16] Chua, Eng-Guan, Verbrugghe, Phebe, Perkins, Timothy T., Tay, Chin-Yen, Fucoidans Disrupt Adherence of Helicobacter pylori to AGS Cells In VitroEvidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine,  2015, 120981, 6 pages,  2015. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/120981

[17] Lean QY, Eri RD, Fitton JH, Patel RP, Gueven N. Fucoidan Extracts Ameliorate Acute Colitis. PLoS One. 2015 Jun 17;10(6):e0128453. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128453. PMID: 26083103; PMCID: PMC4471193.

[18] Selim HM, Negm WA, Hawwal MF, Hussein IA, Elekhnawy E, Ulber R, Zayed A. Fucoidan mitigates gastric ulcer injury through managing inflammation, oxidative stress, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis. Int Immunopharmacol. 2023 Jul;120:110335. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110335. Epub 2023 May 16. PMID: 37201406.

[19] Cox AJ, Cripps AW, Taylor PA, Fitton JH, West NP. Fucoidan Supplementation Restores Fecal Lysozyme Concentrations in High-Performance Athletes: A Pilot Study. Mar Drugs. 2020 Aug 4;18(8):412. doi: 10.3390/md18080412. PMID: 32759709; PMCID: PMC7460205.

[20] Elwakil BH, Hamed MT, Paudel KR. Recent insights of fucoidan probiotic and its effect on gut microbiota. EXCLI J. 2023 Jun 22;22:556-558. doi: 10.17179/excli2023-6219. PMID: 37534219; PMCID: PMC10390892.