Fucoidan is a substance found in the cell walls of certain seaweed species and is used medicinally for a wide variety of health purposes. You might take fucoidan to help treat high blood pressure, infections, or allergies. Consult your doctor before using fucoidan to discuss the correct dosage, as well as potential side effects, drug interactions, and other health risks.
Fucoidan is a type of sulfated polysaccharide found in several species of brown seaweed, including bladderwrack and kelp. It contains galactose, glucuronic acid, xylose, and several other major constituents that may contribute to its potential health benefits, according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Fucoidan is also known as sulfated alpha-L-fucan.
According to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, fucoidan appears to have anti-tumor, anti-cancer, and neuroprotective properties. Specifically, it may help block the development and growth of cancer cells. Fucoidan also seems to provide anticoagulant and antithrombotic effects, which may improve blood circulation. Additionally, it offers immune-modulating and antioxidant properties.
Like kelp, fucoidan is sometimes recommended for treating hypertension or high blood pressure. It may also help treat allergies, bacterial and viral infections, and inflammation, as well as stimulate the immune system, according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Similarly, bladderwrack — a type of brown seaweed from which fucoidan is derived — may help treat wounds and prevent infections, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Kelp, another type of brown seaweed containing fucoidan, is sometimes recommended for treating viral infections such as herpes, the common cold, and influenza, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Be sure to consult your physician before using fucoidan or any type of brown seaweed for medicinal purposes.
Because fucoidan is found in several kinds of brown seaweed, different types may offer additional medicinal uses due to their other constituents. For example, bladderwrack is sometimes used to treat hypothyroidism due to its high iodine content, as well as gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux, indigestion, and gastritis, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Kelp is sometimes recommended to help prevent cancer, support HIV treatments, and promote weight loss, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. However, no conclusive medical research supports the use of brown seaweed or fucoidan to treat or prevent any specific health condition.
Although no major adverse reactions have been reported from using fucoidan, the substance may increase bleeding risk if you are also taking blood-thinning medications, warns the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Taking large amounts of certain types of brown seaweed, such as kelp or bladderwrack, could lead to thyroid problems due to excessive iodine intake. Additionally, brown seaweed like kelp may contain potentially dangerous levels of toxic substances—such as arsenic—absorbed from contaminated water, which could cause poisoning if ingested in large amounts, cautions the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
