Algal polysaccharide, also known as brown algae polysaccharide sulfate or brown halose gum (Fucoidan), is a marine composite polysaccharide composed of sulfate-containing fucose. As early as 1913, it was found by Colin Professor (Kylin. H.Z, Uppsala University, Sweden) from kelp slisliders, later was called fucoidan.
Fucoidan is mainly found in brown algae, such as seaweed, wakame and kelp, but also exists in marine animals eating brown algae, such as sea cucumber, abalone, sea urchin. Fucoidan contains very little in brown algae, about 0.1% in fresh kelp and only 1% in dry kelp, so it is a very valuable seaweed active substance.
With the help of fucoidan, brown algae can survive in high salt, high pressure, low light, exposure, wind erosion and animal eating, fucoidan can also prevent it from being dry, act as a moisturizer; while prevent bacteria from invading the injured parts, improve antibacterial power and immunity.
Fucoidan have been certified as safe food by countries around the world. The South Korean Food and Drug Administration announced that the fucoidan is a safe substance to eat. In 2017, the fucoidan was GRAS certified from FDA and EU Novel Food certified. In Japan, the Cucose Research Institute (NPO) is certified by the Cabinet Office and won multiple awards from independent institutions worldwide.
The health efficacy of fucoidan:
1、Helicobacter pylori (Helicobacter pylori), a helical, gram-negative bacterium with very demanding growth conditions, is the only microbial species known to survive in the human stomach. Helicobacter pylori infection can cause gastritis, gastrointestinal ulcer, lymphoproliferative gastric lymphoma, etc., and further cause gastric cancer.
Western blot (protein blotting) experimental results found that H. pylori contains fucoidan binding protein on its surface, and no other polysaccharide binding proteins were found. Experiments show that only aloglycans with both sulfate group and trehalose have strong binding properties of H. pylori, inhibit its adhesion to gastric mucosal epithelial cells, but also repair gastric mucosal damage and increase gastric mucosal thickness.
2、The researchers found that the fucoidan has a significant effect on improving intestinal health. Has the effect of two-way intestinal mediation: improve constipation and enteritis.
In addition, mouse experiments showed that fucoidan can also have the effect of improving chronic nephritis and preventing fatty liver.