Wakeme Extract (20% Fucxanthin)

Wakame extract is derived from the wakame seaweed (Undaria pinnatifida), a type of marine algae that is widely used in various Asian cuisines. It’s rich in essential nutrients including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and particularly high in a unique carotenoid known as fucoxanthin. The 20% fucoxanthin content in this type of extract indicates that a high concentration of this valuable compound is present.

Benefits

Fucoxanthin is believed to offer several potential health benefits:

1. Weight Management: Preliminary research suggests that fucoxanthin may help to promote weight loss and manage obesity, potentially by enhancing the body’s ability to burn fat, particularly in the white adipose tissue.
2. Metabolic Health: Fucoxanthin may also support metabolic health. It has been linked to improvements in insulin sensitivity and blood sugar regulation, which can benefit those with type 2 diabetes.
3. Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties: Fucoxanthin is a powerful antioxidant that can help protect cells against damage from harmful free radicals. It also exhibits anti-inflammatory properties which might aid in reducing inflammation in the body.
4. Cardiovascular Health: Some research has suggested that fucoxanthin may help to reduce ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol levels and increase ‘good’ HDL cholesterol, thereby potentially supporting heart health.

Recommended Dosage

As of my knowledge cut-off in September 2021, there isn’t a universally accepted recommended dosage for fucoxanthin due to limited human studies. However, clinical studies often use dosages between 2.4 mg and 8 mg daily, depending on the purpose of supplementation. Fucoxanthin is generally considered safe with few side effects. In rare instances, people might experience minor side effects like diarrhea, upset stomach, or skin rashes.

Case Study

One significant study exploring the effects of fucoxanthin on metabolic and cardiovascular health is the following:

Maeda, H., Hosokawa, M., Sashima, T., Funayama, K., & Miyashita, K. (2005). Fucoxanthin from edible seaweed, Undaria pinnatifida, shows antiobesity effect through UCP1 expression in white adipose tissues. Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 332(2), 392-397. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006291X05011645)

Sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5337098/
2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318081#what-is-fucoxanthin
3. https://examine.com/supplements/wakame-extract/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25003110/
5. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/fucoxanthin#what-it-is
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6517136/
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3019061/
8. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924224414002170