The Safety and Immune-Efficacy of Fucoidan from Gagome Kombu (Kjellmaniella crassifolia) on the Elderly
10.1625/jcam.9.149
- VernacularTitle:高年齢者におけるガゴメ昆布フコイダンの安全性ならびに免疫機能への効果
- Author:
Nobutaka SUZUKI
;
Kazuo UEBABA
;
Song HAN
;
Yuko TAKIMOTO
;
Rio SUZUKI
;
Toshiki KAWABATA
;
Hiromu OHNOGI
;
Masuo NAKAI
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Fucoidan;
Gagome Kombu;
elderly;
immune-efficacy;
safety
- From:Japanese Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine
2012;9(2):149-155
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
Objective: Gagome kombu (Kjellmaniella crassifolia), an edible brown seaweed grown around the southern area of Hokkaido, is known to abundantly contain fucoidan. Previous studies show that on animals, fucoidan from Gagome kombu (GKF) exhibits immune-enhancing, anti-cancer and anti-influenza virus capabilities. In this study, we focused on the elderly and evaluated the safety and immune-efficacy of GKF.
Methods: Eighteen (18) Japanese elderly subjects were chosen to ingest the test samples (3 tablets/day containing 50 mg GKF and lactic acid bacteria) for 8 weeks. Before ingestion and every 4 weeks thereafter (4th and 8th week), blood chemistry analysis, hematological analysis, urinalysis and immune analysis were conducted.
Result: Test results showed no adverse clinical changes in blood and urinary analysis. In addition, no serious symptoms were observed. Moreover, GKF markedly decreased serum IgE levels.
Conclusion: These results indicate that in the case of elderly, GKF is a safe functional food ingredient.
