How FucoVital™ may contribute to improved triglycerides levels and positively affect metabolic syndrome

Triglycerides are the main constituent of human body fat. They normally circulate in the bloodstream to supply energy to cells and are stored in body fat as an emergency store of energy.

Lipase is an enzyme secreted by the pancreas that is responsible for breaking down the triglyceride molecules in the gut. This process is required for the absorption of triglycerides from the gut to the blood.

High levels of triglycerides (Hypertriglyceridemia) in the blood have been linked to metabolic syndrome, which increases the risk of diabetes, atherosclerosis, stroke and cardiovascular diseases [1]. Weight loss and dietary modification are effective first-line lifestyle treatments for hypertriglyceridemia. Interestingly, clinical studies have indicated that Fucoxanthin, an orange-brown carotenoid present in edible brown seaweeds and microalgae, may also contribute to reduction in weight and triglycerides levels.

A human study (double blind, placebo controlled, n = 151 obese women with/without non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) examined the effect of fucoxanthin and pomegranate seed oil on weight management and blood parameters such as triglycerides levels. Importantly, among improvement in other metabolic indicators, the results show a significant reduction in triglyceride blood levels from 195 ± 19 to 158 ± 21 mg/dl (p < 0.05, compared to placebo) [3].

In a pre-clinical study which investigated the effects of fucoxanthin and fucoxanthinol (a fucoxanthin metabolite) on the absorption of triglycerides in the gut, both fucoxanthin and fucoxanthinol inhibited lipase activity in the gastrointestinal tract resulting in decreased triglyceride absorption [2].

Figure 1: In vivo results: FucoVital™ reduced triglycerides in blood levels following 13 weeks of oral administration.

FucoVital™ is a natural fucoxanthin produced from microalgae. A pre-clinical study of FucoVital™ consumption for 13 weeks, resulted in levels of blood triglycerides significantly lower in the treatment groups as compared to control groups (this was true in both males and females). The decrease in the triglyceride levels directly correlated with the FucoVital™ dose consumed (see figure 1).

FucoVital^TM is the only 3% fucoxanthin extract that targets the first stage of fatty liver by reducing the simple accumulation of fat in the liver. Algatech’s FucoVital^TM is, the first fucoxanthin derived from microalgae and is cultivated year-round in an industrial closed and controlled system, fully exposed to natural sunlight. FucoVital^TM is the only fucoxanthin extract to have obtained a New Dietary Ingredient Notification (“NDIN”) by the FDA, and the first and only microalgae-derived fucoxanthin product on the market. 

In the Picture: Algatech’s closed photo bio reactor cultivation system for FucoVital

FucoVital^TM proprietary Fucoxanthin Oleoresin: The world’s first microalgae extract standardized to 3% fucoxanthin, plus naturally occurring omega-3’s (EPA) and other beneficial fatty acids. Fucoxanthin is a safe ingredient that has been sold in the U.S. and Asia as a dietary supplement for many years, primarily as concentrates or extracts of seaweed such as Macrocystis, Laminaria and Undaria. Existing fucoxanthin production relies solely on harvesting seaweed which has extremely low fucoxanthin concentrations. Moreover, supply of seaweed has always been limited, relying on the harvest seasons and subject to issues with heavy metals and other contamination accumulated from ocean pollution.

The recommended daily dose is 3 mg with no time limitation or 5 mg for a maximum of 90 days. A daily consumption of FucoVital™ may contribute to maintaining normal triglycerides blood levels together with weight and diet managements.

References
1- Nordestgaard BG, Varbo A. Triglycerides and cardiovascular disease. Lancet. 2014; 384:626–635. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61177-6
2- Matsumoto M, Suppressive effects of the marine carotenoids, fucoxanthin and fucoxanthinol on triglyceride absorption in lymph duct-cannulated rats. Eur J Nutr. 2010 Jun;49(4):243-9. doi: 10.1007/s00394-009-0078-y
3- Abidov M, The effects of Xanthigen in the weight management of obese premenopausal women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and normal liver fat. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2010 Jan;12(1):72-81. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-1326.2009.01132.x