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.
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15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
3-desoxy-7-KETO-DHEA
4-hydroxyisoleucine
5,7-Dimethoxyflavone
6-Paradol
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
7-Keto-DHEA
Acacetin
Acai berry
Akkermansia muciniphila
Algae
algal oil
Algal protein
Alpha Glucans
Alpha methyl tetradecylthioacetic acid
Alpha phytosterol
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
anchovies
ankaflavin
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
antirrhinin
Antrodia camphorata
apigenin
arabinoxylan
Arjunolic acid
Aronia melanocarpa
Ascophyllum nodosum
asparagus
astragaloside
Auricularia
avocado
bacillus subtilis
banaba
barley
bean
berberine
beta-glucan
beta-hydroxybutyrate
beta-sitosterol
betanin
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium longum
black garlic
Blakeslea trispora
blueberry
Brazil nut
Brussel sprouts
butyrate triglyceride
Calanus finmarchicus
California chia
campesterol
camu camu
capsiate
capsinoids
cardarine
carnosic acid
caterpillar mushroom
charantin
chia seed
Chitin-Glucan Complex
chlorogenic acid
chokeberry
chromium
cinnamon
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
corosolic acid
crocetin
Crypthecodinium
curcumin
cyanidin
cyanobacteria
cynaropicrin
Cystoseira canariensis
D-Pinitol
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
dihydrocapsiate
dihydrolipoic acid
diosgenin
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DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
dragon fruit
Dunaliella
Ecklonia
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ergothioneine
evodiamine
fisetin
flavanols
flaxseed
Foxtail millet
fructan
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fucosterol
fucoxanthin
galactooligosaccharides
garbanzo bean
ginger
Ginsenosides
Glucan peptides
glucomannan
Glucoraphanin
Glucosinolates
guanidinopropionic acid (GPA )
guar gum
Guggulsterones
hydroxycitric acid
hydroxytyrosol
inulin
Irvingia gabonensis
Isoalantolactone
isomaltulose
Kamut
kidney beans
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krill oil
l-carnitine
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oleanolic acid
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olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-7 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
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oyster mushroom
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palmitoleic acid
peanut
Phaeophyceae
phlorizin
Phycocyanin
Phytoplankton
Pinitol
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polychitosamine
Polydatin
polysaccharides
polyunsaturated fat
pu-er tea
punicalagins
punicalin
punicic acid
pyrroloquinoline quinone
quinoa
Rebaudioside
red yeast rice
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rye
Salacia
Salidroside
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Schizochytrium
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Sesamin
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Sinensetin
spirulina
Sulforaphane
Syringic acid
Tagatose
Tangeretin
Tanshinone
Tetradecylthioacetic acid
Theabrownin
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Thylakoid
tocotrienols
Trans-pterostilbene
turmeric
Tyrosol
Urolithin A
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vitamin C
vitamin D
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