Brown Seaweed
cklonia cava is a species of algae. The extracts are available in dietary supplement form. A type of brown algae, Ecklonia cava is found off the coasts of Japan, Korea, and China. When consumed as a dietary supplement, Ecklonia cava is said to treat a variety of health problems.
Studies show that Ecklonia cava contains a number of compounds with antioxidant and antibacterial effects. Ecklonia cava also contains phlorotannins, a class of compounds with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
Uses
In alternative medicine, Ecklonia Cava is touted as a natural remedy for the following health conditions:
Arthritis
Asthma
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Diabetes
Fibromyalgia
High cholesterol
Insomnia
In addition, Ecklonia cava is said to stimulate the immune system, support weight loss, boost sports performance, promote hair growth, lower stress levels, and fight some forms of cancer, according to some alternative medicine proponents.
Health Benefits
While scientific support for Ecklonia cava's purported health effects is fairly limited, some studies suggest that it can offer certain benefits. Here's a look at some key findings from the available research on Ecklonia cava.
High Cholesterol
Ecklonia cava may help keep cholesterol in check, according to a clinical trial published in Phytotherapy Research in 2012. For the study, 97 overweight men and women took a dietary supplement containing a high dose of Ecklonia cava, a dietary supplement containing a low dose of Ecklonia cava, or a placebo every day for 12 weeks.
At the end of the treatment period, members of both groups given Ecklonia cava showed a significantly greater improvement in cholesterol levels (as well as in such markers as waist circumference and body fat ratio) than members of the placebo group. In addition, those given the high dose of Ecklonia cava showed a significantly greater decrease in systolic blood pressure (compared to those given the placebo).
Diabetes
Preliminary research suggests that Ecklonia cava may aid in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. For instance, a study published in Food and Chemical Toxicology in 2013 found that dieckol (a phlorotannin derived from Ecklonia cava) helped to reduce blood sugar levels in diabetic mice.
What's more, a rat-based study published in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry in 2012 found that dieckol may help control diabetes in part by reducing oxidative stress.
Osteoarthritis
Ecklonia cava shows promise in the treatment of osteoarthritis, suggests a study published in Archives of Pharmacal Research in 2006. In a series of laboratory tests on human cells, scientists found that phlorotannin-rich extracts of Ecklonia cava may help fight osteoarthritis by reducing inflammation.
Asthma
A preliminary study published in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy in 2008 indicates that Ecklonia cava may help protect against asthma. In tests on mice, researchers found that Ecklonia cava helped reduce the airway inflammation associated with asthmatic reactions.
Sports Performance
Ecklonia cava may help boost endurance during the athletic performance, according to a small study published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism in 2010. In an experiment involving 20 men ages 18 to 23, the study's authors observed that those who consumed a drink enriched with Ecklonia cava extract 30 minutes prior to exercising had a greater improvement in endurance than those given a placebo drink before working out.