Untitled Document
Fucoxanthin belongs to a class of plant compounds called carotenoids, which confer yellow, orange, or red color. The structure of fucoxanthin makes it different from other plant carotenoids (it has an unusual allenic bond, a 5,6-monoepoxide, and 9 conjugated double bonds).
This unique structure contributes to its instability, which makes fucoxanthin difficult to study. However, this same structure is exactly what confers its potential to help with health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and inflammation.
How It Works
Fucoxanthin’s anti-obesity effects are thought to be mediated through its ability to influence gene expression of the following genes related to fat metabolism, as seen in rat studies:
- • Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC)
- • Fatty acid synthase (FAS)
- • Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH)
- • Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA)
- • Acyl-CoA cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT)
- • SREBP-1c
Natural Sources
Natural sources of fucoxanthin include:
- • Seaweed
- • Microalgae
- • Brown algae
- • Kelp
Snapshot
Proponents
- • May help lose weight
- • Intake associated with a lower incidence of depression in pregnant women
Skeptics
- • Only one clinical trial carried out
- • Never evaluated alone
- • Unknown safe profile
Health Benefits
Insufficient Evidence
The following purported benefits are only supported by limited, low-quality clinical studies and animal and cell-based research. There is insufficient evidence to support the use of fucoxanthin for any of the below-listed purposes. Remember to speak with a doctor before taking fucoxanthin supplements and never use it as a replacement for approved medical therapies.
1) Weight Loss
In a clinical trial on 151 obese, non-diabetic women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, fucoxanthin (0.8-4.0 mg) and pomegranate seed oil increased weight loss and reduced body and liver fat.
Fucoxanthin also promoted weight loss in obese mice (due to both high-fat diets and diabetes), especially in combination with fish oil.
A single clinical trial (testing fucoxanthin in combination with pomegranate seed oil) and some animal research cannot be considered sufficient evidence to claim that fucoxanthin helps with weight loss. Further clinical trials are needed to validate these preliminary findings.
2) Depression
In a survey of over 1,700 pregnant women, increased consumption of seaweed (which contains fucoxanthin) was associated with a decrease in depression during pregnancy.
A single study is insufficient to attest to the effectiveness of fucoxanthin in reducing depression. Most importantly, the study was associational, meaning a cause-effect relationship couldn’t be established. Other dietary, environmental, and genetic factors could have contributed to the effects observed.
Animal and Cell Research (Lack of Evidence)
No clinical evidence supports the use of fucoxanthin for any of the conditions listed in this section. Below is a summary of the existing animal and cell-based research, which should guide further investigational efforts. However, the studies should not be interpreted as supportive of any health benefit.
Skin Protection
In mice exposed to ultraviolet radiation, fucoxanthin applied to the skin blocked the premature aging of the skin and protected skin cells from sunburn.
Brain Protection
Fucoxanthin reduced cognitive impairment in mice with brain damage mimicking Alzheimer’s disease.
In mice with traumatic brain injury, fucoxanthin reduced brain cell death.
Inflammation
Fucoxanthin reduced inflammation associated with insulin resistance in mice and eye inflammation in rats.
Insulin Resistance
Fucoxanthin improved insulin sensitivity in mice fed high-fat diets, thus helping prevent type 2 diabetes.
High Blood Fats
In rats fed high-fat diets, fucoxanthin decreased blood cholesterol and triglycerides.
However, high doses of fucoxanthin increased blood cholesterol in mice.
Antioxidant
Fucoxanthin reduced oxidative stress and increased the levels of the antioxidant glutathione in cell-based studies.
Bone Loss
In menopausal mice, fucoxanthin prevented bone loss. In cells, it blocked the development of the cells that promote bone breakdown (osteoclasts).
Protecting the Heart
Based on its ability to reduce risk factors such as blood cholesterol, inflammation, obesity, and diabetes, fucoxanthin may help prevent heart disease.
Malaria
Fucoxanthin inhibited the parasite that causes malaria (Plasmodium falciparum) in test tubes.
Limitations and Caveats
Only one clinical trial and one observational study have been conducted, and most potential health effects have only been tested in animals and cells. Because the trial used fucoxanthin combined with pomegranate oil and the observational study evaluated the intake of seaweed instead of purified fucoxanthin, the specific contribution of this carotenoid to the effects observed is difficult to estimate.
Side Effects & Precautions
Keep in mind that the safety profile of fucoxanthin is relatively unknown, given the lack of well-designed clinical studies. The list of side effects below is not a definite one and you should consult your doctor about other potential side effects based on your health condition and possible drug or supplement interactions.
No adverse effects were observed in the only clinical trial conducted.
In mice, fucoxanthin didn’t increase the rate of mutations and wasn’t toxic to the kidney, liver, spleen, and gonads. The only adverse effect observed at high doses was increased blood cholesterol.
Drugs Interactions
Supplement/Herb/Nutrient-drug interactions can be dangerous and, in rare cases, even life-threatening. Always consult your doctor before supplementing and let them know about all drugs and supplements you are using or considering.
Fucoxanthin can inhibit the enzyme CYP3A4, which is responsible for the metabolism of approximately 45-60% of prescribed drugs. This may enhance the effects of the drugs by increasing their blood levels, but also reduce their activation if the drugs are administered as a pro-drug that needs to be broken down into its active form.
The following drugs are metabolized by CYP3A4, meaning fucoxanthin may affect their effectiveness:
- • Opioids such as sufentanil and methadone
- • Immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and sirolimus
- • Antihypertensive drugs such as felodipine and nifedipine
- • Anticancer drugs such as endoxifen, tamoxifen, and sunitinib
- • Sedatives such as midazolam
- • Cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) such as simvastatin, atorvastatin, and lovastatin
- • Antibiotics such as erythromycin
- • Corticosteroids such as fluticasone propionate
Dosage
Because fucoxanthin is not approved by the FDA for any condition, there is no official dose. Users and supplement manufacturers have established unofficial doses based on trial and error. Discuss with your doctor if fucoxanthin may be useful as a complementary approach in your case and which dose you should take.
The only human trial carried out tested a dose of 0.8-4.0 mg fucoxanthin combined with pomegranate seed oil.
