Fucoidan

Fucoidan is a long-chain sulfated polysaccharide found in various species of brown algae, such as seaweed, and in marine invertebrates. Fucoidan occurs in the cell walls of seaweed serving structural roles.

Commercially available fucoidan is commonly extracted from the seaweed species Fucus vesiculosus (wracks), Cladosiphon okamuranus, Laminaria japonica (kombu, sugar kelp) and Undaria pinnatifida (wakame). Fucoidan extraction methods, purity, global regulatory approvals, and source seaweed species vary among fucoidan products. The potential bioactivity of fucoidan extracts is under preliminary research.

Fucoidan is sold as a dietary supplement, food additive, and as an ingredient in animal feed or cosmetics. Although used in traditional Chinese medicine, it has not been approved as a human drug in any country, and no advanced clinical trials have been reported, as of 2019. It is commonly used in Southeast Asian countries and is recognized as a natural health product in Canada, but does not have governmental approval or recognition as a safe ingredient for human use in most western countries.