Rich in fucose, a biological sugar vital for cell-to-cell communication.
Fucoidan, a polysaccharide complex comprised of fucose and sulfated fucose, is a nutritional supplement which is particularly popular in Japan. Fucose is one of eight essential biological sugars. Fucose-containing glycoproteins and glycolipids have recently been recognized as vital for cell-to-cell communication. In general, food contains only glucose and fructose; we do not, therefore, consume fucose. It is produced by the body through a number of enzymatic reactions which generate intermediary molecules before producing fucose. Any hitch in this complex conversion process can lead to a deficiency in fucose and serious chronic disease.
Fucoidan is abundant in brown seaweed called ‘mozuku’, found in the Okinawa region of Japan. For many years, Mozuku has featured in the diet of Okinawa inhabitants who appear to have the longest life expectancy in Japan. They also have the lowest rate of mortality from cancer.
The algae Ascophyllum nodosum from which fucoidan is obtained is harvested from cold, deep ocean waters. The algae accumulate fucoidan during the summer and autumn and it is at this point – when at its richest in fucoidan – that it is harvested. Only fresh algae growing on the surface of the water are picked, guaranteeing the algae are contamination-free and minimizing the impact on the environment.
Composition: Each vegetarian capsule contains 312,5 mg of Ascophyllum nodosum standardised to provide 80% fucoidan, an essential sugar for cell-to-cell communication.
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