Evidence supporting the use of: Fucoxanthin
For the health condition: Metabolic Syndrome
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid found primarily in edible brown seaweeds such as Undaria pinnatifida and Laminaria japonica. Its use for metabolic syndrome is supported by a growing body of preclinical and clinical research. Animal studies have shown that fucoxanthin can reduce body weight, improve lipid profiles, enhance insulin sensitivity, and decrease hepatic fat accumulation, all of which are relevant to metabolic syndrome. Mechanistically, fucoxanthin appears to promote the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in white adipose tissue, leading to increased energy expenditure and thermogenesis. It also modulates genes and pathways involved in glucose and lipid metabolism, and exhibits anti-inflammatory effects that may benefit metabolic health. Human studies, though limited and generally small in scale, suggest fucoxanthin supplementation may reduce body weight, waist circumference, and liver fat content in overweight or obese subjects, with some improvements in markers such as triglycerides and fasting blood glucose. Notably, a few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown statistically significant but modest improvements in these parameters, but larger and longer-term studies are needed for confirmation. Overall, the evidence is promising but not definitive, and fucoxanthin should not be considered a standalone treatment for metabolic syndrome. Its use is justified by early scientific validation rather than tradition, and future research will clarify its therapeutic potential.
Other ingredients used for Metabolic Syndrome
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)7-Keto-DHEA
Acai berry
Akkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
anchovies
anthocyanins
asparagus
bacillus subtilis
banaba
barley
berberine
Beta-Glucan
beta-sitosterol
bifidobacterium longum
bitter melon
black garlic
blueberry
brussel sprouts
butyrate triglyceride
campesterol
camu camu
canola oil
caterpillar mushroom
chia seed
chokeberry
chromium
cinnamon
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
turmeric
curcumin
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fisetin
flaxseed
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
ginger
glucomannan
guar gum
hydroxycitric acid
inulin
krill oil
l-carnitine
lactobacillus helveticus
licorice root
mackerel
maitake mushroom
maqui berry
matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
moringa
naringin
nicotinamide riboside
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-7 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
oyster mushroom
palmitoleic acid
quinoa
red yeast rice
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rye
sardines
spirulina
tocotrienols
trans-pterostilbene
Urolithin A
vanadium
vanadyl sulfate
vitamin C
vitamin D
wheat grass
whey protein
xylooligosaccharides
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
Algae
kidney beans
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
1-deoxynojirimycin
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
12-methylcarnosic acid
3-desoxy-7-KETO-DHEA
4-hydroxyisoleucine
5,7-Dimethoxyflavone
6-Paradol
Alpha Glucans
Ankaflavin
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Antrodia camphorata
Auricularia
Antirrhinin
Avocado
Ascophyllum nodosum
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
anthocyanidins
Ampelopsin
Alpha phytosterol
Algal protein
Arabinoxylan
Alpha methyl Tetradecylthioacetic Acid
Arjunolic acid
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Blakeslea trispora
Bean
Betanin
Brazil nut
Charantin
California chia
Cardarine
Cyanobacteria
Capsinoids
Cyanidin
chlorogenic acid
Capsiate
Chitin-Glucan Complex
Calanus finmarchicus
Crocetin
Cynaropicrin
Cystoseira canariensis
corosolic acid
Crypthecodinium
Carnosic acid
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Dunaliella
Dihydrocapsiate
Dragon Fruit
Dihydrolipoic Acid
D-Pinitol
Diosgenin
Ergothioneine
Evodiamine
Ecklonia
Fucosterol
Foxtail millet
Fucoxanthin
Flavanols
Fructan
Ginsenosides
Glucan peptides
Galactooligosaccharides
Guanidinopropionic Acid (GPA )
Guggulsterones
Glucoraphanin
Garbanzo bean
Glucosinolates
Hydroxytyrosol
Isomaltulose
Isoalantolactone
Irvingia gabonensis
Konjac
Kamut
Lipstatin
Legume protein
Lentil
Lupin
Monacolin
Maslinic Acid
Mangiferin
Mulberroside A
Monounsaturated Fat
Momordicosides
Naringenin
Neoeriocitrin
Nobiletin
Oolong Tea
Oligosaccharides
Oleoylethanolamide
Phycocyanin
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone
Phlorizin
Phaeophyceae
Phytoplankton
Polychitosamine
Polysaccharides
Pinitol
Polydatin
punicalin
Polyunsaturated Fat
Pleurotus eryngii
Pu-Er Tea
Punicalagins
Palatinose
Punicic acid
peanut
Pistachio
Rebaudioside
Red miso
Schizochytrium Oil
Schizochytrium
Salmon Oil
Salidroside
Syringic acid
Salacia
Sesamolin
Sesamin
Sinensetin
Sulforaphane
Tagatose
Tetradecylthioacetic acid
Thylakoid
Tyrosol
Tangeretin
Tanshinone
Theaflavin
Theabrownin
Xanthohumol
Yacon