Seaweed component may have potential in treating rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis symptoms

A carbohydrate in some brown seaweeds shows promise in taking on aspects of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, two studies claim.

Fucoidan is found mainly in various species of brown algae and brown seaweed. In one recent study, a team of researchers looked at the effect of fucoidan on markers of rheumatoid arthritis in laboratory conditions and published their findings in Inflammation.

They concluded that: “Fucoidan may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.”

A second study looked at the effects of fucoidan on symptoms and inflammatory cytokine activation in 40 rats with osteoarthritis. The scientists found “that administration of fucoidan prevents the progression of osteoarthritis” in the rats, and published their findings in The Journal of Medicinal Food.

While the research is exciting, the next step is trials of fucoidan in humans.

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