Fucoidan FAQs
Here Are Some Fucoidan FAQs:
What exactly is Fucoidan?
Fucoidan is a powerful nutrient that occurs naturally in brown seaweed indigenous to the warm, clear waters of the Pacific. For hundreds of years, brown seaweed has been regarded as a nutrient rich superfood. Chemically Fucoidan occurs as a complex carbohydrate in the form of soluble fiber. It is also often referred to as a glyconutrient (or polysaccharide) as its main effective ingredient is fucose, one of the eight essential biological sugars.
Is Fucoidan all natural?
Seaweed in general, and Brown Seaweed in particular, have been used for centuries to stabilize health and speed healing. Fucoidan is a marine bioactive believed to protect the body from viruses by bolstering our cellular protection to prevent the virus from penetrating the healthy cell. It also restricts replication of the virus in adjacent healthy cells, thus stopping the virus in its tracks.
What kind of research supports the benefits of taking Fucoidan?
Fucoidan was first isolated in 1913 and has been studied and documented ever since. It is lauded for its antiviral, anticoagulant, cardiovascular and healing properties. It has been the subject of numerous clinical trials, particularly in Japan and in the Pacific where the populations have long benefited from having Fucoidan in their diets.
What is the best way to take it?
Because Fucoidan comprises only 4% gross dry weight of the brown seaweed in which it occurs, one would have to eat the seaweed regularly to glean its benefits; and outside of the islands of the Pacific where this seaweed grows, that would be incredibly expensive! For this reason, taking the extract in capsule form is a much more convenient and expedient way to take Fucoidan.
Who should take Fucoidan?
People who are looking to boost their energy, manage cholesterol, improve their cardiovascular health, prevent illness and promote a total sense of well-being.
Are there any side effects to taking Fucoidan?
There are no known negative side effects associated with Fucoidan. Some studies suggest that Fucoidan has potential blood thinning properties, so those individuals currently taking blood thinners like Warfarin are urged to consult their physician before beginning Fucoidan.
Can I take Fucoidan with other medications?
Fucoidan is a supplement, not a medication, so it is unlikely to react negatively with pharmeceuticals. However, if you have any questions in regards to taking it with your current medication, we strongly suggest you consult a medical professional.
What are the short term and long term benefits of taking Fucoidan?
In the short term, Fucoidan users can expect increased energy and improved glucose/insulin response after meals (meaning you’ll be less likely to experience an energy slump an hour after meals!). In the long term, Fucoidan helps support a total sense of well-being by helping to defend the immune system from nasty viruses, speed healing and recovery from injury and illness, and improve cardiovascular health.
Do I need to worry about the iodine content in Fucoidan Force?
The seaweed used in Fucoidan Force (Undaria Pinnatifida) contains only .042mg of iodine per gram. One capsule of Fucoidan Force™ contains 500mg of U. pinnatifida derived fucoidan – meaning you will get about .021mg of iodine per capsule. The U.S. National Academy of Sciences lists the maximum tolerable level of iodine intake as 1.1mg of iodine per day. To surpass this amount, you would have to take over 50 capsules of Fucoidan Force a day.
Unless you are currently suffering from hyperthyroidism, or if you already have quite a lot of iodine in your diet, Fucoidan Force™ is perfectly safe to be taken on a daily basis. As iodine is necessary for the human body to function properly, Fucoidan Force™ can actually help your overall thyroid health by providing a small dose of iodine on a daily basis.