Inflammation modulation

(see also below under Obesity)

Seaweed polysaccharides have been shown to act as inflammation inhibitors and inflammation promoters. For example, carrageenan from red seaweed is used as an inflammation promoter in animal studies (174), whilst some carrageenan fractions are also anti-inflammatory.

Fucoidans from brown seaweeds are usually anti-inflammatory and potent selectin-blocking agents (175). Fucoidans have also been used to reduce post-ischaemic leukocyte influx into damaged organs (176).

Different histological effects on the endothelial cells of the gut (lining) have been shown following ingestion of green and brown seaweeds (nori and kombu). Experimental rats fed on brown seaweed had a lower incidence of submucosal oedema than those fed on nori, possibly reflecting the lower sodium/potassium ratio in the brown seaweed (177).