The bioaccessibility and tolerability of marine-derived sources of magnesium and calcium.

It is generally accepted that mineral deficiencies, including magnesium and calcium, are widespread globally. Dietary supplementation may be an effective approach to combat such deficiencies. However, challenges associated with limited mineral solubility in the digestive system can impede effective dissolution and hinder absorption, leading to deficiency, and undesirable gastrointestinal disturbances including diarrhoea. Seawater is considered to be a rich source of bioactive magnesium, calcium, and 72 other trace minerals. In this study, we examine two different marine-derived multimineral products as potential dietary supplements. Aquamin-Mg, sourced from seawater is rich in magnesium (12%), and Aquamin F, a seaweed-derived multimineral is rich in calcium (32%). Both products also contain a diverse array of over 72 minerals, characteristic of their oceanic origin. Our study comprises two experiments. The first experiment evaluates and compares the solubility of Aquamin-Mg, commercially available magnesium bisglycinate, and Pure Magnesium Bisglycinate (PrizMAG) during in vitro digestion using the INFOGEST method. Results demonstrate that Aquamin-Mg exhibits superior solubility than the other magnesium sources during the gastric and intestinal phases, particularly when administered alongside food materials. The second experiment is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in a small cohort of healthy older aged adults to assess the tolerability of a combined Aquamin-Mg/Aquamin-F supplement over a 12-week period. The findings indicate that this combination supplement is well-tolerated, with no significant adverse events reported, emphasizing its potential as a means of addressing mineral deficiencies.

Dietary Supplementation with a Magnesium-Rich Marine Mineral Blend Enhances the Diversity of Gastrointestinal Microbiota.

Accumulating evidence demonstrates that dietary supplementation with functional food ingredients play a role in systemic and brain health as well as in healthy ageing. Conversely, deficiencies in calcium and magnesium as a result of the increasing prevalence of a high fat/high sugar "Western diet" have been associated with health problems such as obesity, inflammatory bowel diseases, and cardiovascular diseases, as well as metabolic, immune, and psychiatric disorders. It is now recognized that modulating the diversity of gut microbiota, the population of intestinal bacteria, through dietary intervention can significantly impact upon gut health as well as systemic and brain health. In the current study, we show that supplementation with a seaweed and seawater-derived functional food ingredient rich in bioactive calcium and magnesium (0.1% supplementation) as well as 70 other trace elements, significantly enhanced the gut microbial diversity in adult male rats. Given the significant impact of gut microbiota on health, these results position this marine multi-mineral blend (MMB) as a promising digestive-health promoting functional food ingredient.

A Natural, Calcium-Rich Marine Multi-mineral Complex Preserves Bone Structure, Composition and Strength in an Ovariectomised Rat Model of Osteoporosis.

Calcium supplements are used as an aid in the prevention of osteopenia and osteoporosis and also for the treatment of patients when used along with medication. Many of these supplements are calcium carbonate based. This study compared a calcium-rich, marine multi-mineral complex (Aquamin) to calcium carbonate in an ovariectomised rat model of osteoporosis in order to assess Aquamin's efficacy in preventing the onset of bone loss. Animals were randomly assigned to either non-ovariectomy control (Control), ovariectomy (OVX) plus calcium carbonate, ovariectomy plus Aquamin or ovariectomy plus Aquamin delay where Aquamin treatment started 8 weeks post OVX. At the end of the 20-week study, the trabecular architecture was measured using micro computed tomography, bone composition was assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the mechanical properties were assessed using nanoindentation and three-point bend testing. The study demonstrates that oral ingestion of Aquamin results in less deterioration of trabecular bone structure, mineral composition and tissue level biomechanical properties in the tibia of rats following ovariectomy than calcium carbonate. This study has shown that in an animal model of osteoporosis, Aquamin is superior to calcium carbonate at slowing down the onset of bone loss.

Evidence that marine-derived, multi-mineral, Aquamin inhibits the NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro.

It is well established that nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a central regulator of the immune response and that dysregulation of NF-κB contributes to the pathogenesis of many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The food supplement Aquamin is a natural multi-mineral derived from the red algae Lithothamnion corallioides, rich in calcium, magnesium and 72 other trace minerals. This study describes an anti-inflammatory role for Aquamin in inhibiting NF-κB activation through reducing the phosphorylation and degradation of its upstream inhibitor IκBα. Aquamin inhibition of NF-κB activation results in significantly reduced cyclo-oxygenase-2 gene expression following treatment of macrophage cells with lipopolysaccharide. These data suggest that nutritional supplements such as Aquamin may play an important role in regulating the inflammatory response by modulating the nuclear factor kappa B signalling pathway.

The marine-derived, multi-mineral formula, Aquamin, enhances mineralisation of osteoblast cells in vitro.

Osteoporosis is a global health problem characterized by low bone mass and an increase in bone fragility. It is now well accepted that dietary factors play a central role in bone development and health. Diet that lacks adequate minerals is considered to be a risk factor for osteoporosis. The food supplement, Aquamin, is a natural, multi-mineral derived from the red algae Lithothamnion corallioides, rich in calcium, magnesium and 72 other trace minerals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Aquamin on osteoblastic behaviour and mineralisation in a pre-osteoblastic cell line. Cell number and metabolic activity were assessed using Hoescht DNA and AlamarBlue assays respectively. Osteogenic differentiation was measured using an alkaline phosphatase assay while mineralisation was determined using von Kossa and alizarin red staining. It is reported here that Aquamin promotes increased mineralisation in osteoblast cell culture. These data suggest that the nutritional supplement Aquamin plays an important role in promoting bone formation and may be useful in treating bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

A Reduction in Behavioral Pattern Separation Is Attenuated by Dietary Supplementation with a Magnesium-Rich Marine Mineral Blend in Middle-Aged Rats.

Middle age is increasingly accepted as a key period during which individuals are susceptible to the effect of environmental and lifestyle factors. Emerging research indicates that dietary factors play a crucial role in brain health and cognitive function, and studies in both animals and humans have demonstrated that dietary interventions can mitigate cognitive impairment. Specifically, magnesium has been shown to enhance learning and memory, and magnesium deficiency is associated with impaired hippocampal-dependent memory formation in animal studies. The aim of this study was to examine if supplementation with a magnesium-rich marine mineral blend (MMB) could alter middle-age-related cognitive impairment. Young and middle-aged rats were given access to a control diet or an experimental diet formulated with an MMB for 4 weeks before undergoing a series of behavioral assessments. Supplementation of MMB to middle-aged rats rescued a deficit in cognitive impairment, specifically a pattern separation paradigm that is sensitive to alterations in a type of brain plasticity called neurogenesis. It had no effect on general activity in the open field or performance on other hippocampal-associated tasks. Changes in cognitive function occur as a predictable consequence of aging. Research into whether modification of dietary factors, such as this MMB, may play a role in the prevention of age-related cognitive impairment warrants further investigation.

Evidence that the marine-derived multi-mineral Aquamin has anti-inflammatory effects on cortical glial-enriched cultures.

It is well established that neuroinflammation contributes to brain aging, and that cortical cells are particularly vulnerable. Lipopolysaccharide stimulates the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta from glial cells which consequently induces an impairment in neuronal cell function. The food supplement, Aquamin, is a natural, multi-mineral derived from the red algae Lithothamnion corallioides, rich in calcium, magnesium and 72 other trace minerals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of Aquamin in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated, glial-enriched primary cultures of rat cortex. It is reported that Aquamin prevented lipopolysaccharide-induced secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta from cortical glia. These data suggest that nutritional supplements such as Aquamin may play an important role in impeding the detrimental effects of excessive inflammation in the brain.

Disease-Modifying Adjunctive Therapy (DMAT) in Osteoarthritis-The Biological Effects of a Multi-Mineral Complex, LithoLexal® Joint-A Review.

Modern advances in molecular medicine have led to the reframing of osteoarthritis as a metabolically active, inflammatory disorder with local and systemic contributing factors. According to the 'inflammatory theory' of osteoarthritis, immune response to an initial damage is the key trigger that leads to progressive joint destruction. Several intertwined pathways are known to induce and govern articular inflammation, cartilage matrix degradation, and subchondral bone changes. Effective treatments capable of halting or delaying the progression of osteoarthritis remain elusive. As a result, supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate are commonly used despite the lack of scientific consensus. A novel option for adjunctive therapy of osteoarthritis is LithoLexal® Joint, a marine-derived, mineral-rich extract, that exhibited significant efficacy in clinical trials. LithoLexal® has a lattice microstructure containing a combination of bioactive rare minerals. Mechanistic research suggests that this novel treatment possesses various potential disease-modifying properties, such as suppression of nuclear factor kappa-B, interleukin 1ß, tumor necrosis factor α, and cyclooxygenase-2. Accordingly, LithoLexal® Joint can be considered a disease-modifying adjunctive therapy (DMAT). LithoLexal® Joint monotherapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis has significantly improved symptoms and walking ability with higher efficacy than glucosamine. Preliminary evidence also suggests that LithoLexal® Joint may allow clinicians to reduce the dose of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in osteoarthritic patients by up to 50%. In conclusion, the multi-mineral complex, LithoLexal® Joint, appears to be a promising candidate for DMAT of osteoarthritis, which may narrow the existing gap in clinical practice.

A Marine-Derived, Multi-mineral Supplement Influences Bacterial Fermentation and Short Chain Fatty Acid Profile In Vitro.

Aquamin is a calcium-rich multi-mineral supplement derived from the red marine algae, Lithothamnion species. Calcium supplementation has been shown to exert a prebiotic-like effect on the gut microbiota and has been associated with distinct changes in lactate and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) subtype is associated with changes in SCFA levels compared with healthy controls. Using an ex vivo simulation model, and a fecal inoculum from a patient diagnosed with IBS, we evaluated the effects of Aquamin (at 6 and 30 mg/mL) on SCFAs and lactate production, pH and gas production, and human microbiota composition. Our results demonstrate that Aquamin increased SCFA production (acetate and propionate by 8% and 24%, respectively, at 30 mg/mL dose), significantly decreased lactate production (30 mg/mL), and increased colonic fluid pH without inducing changes in colonic gas production or gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota composition. These results indicate that Aquamin may play a role in optimizing GI microbial function in an ex vivo setting.

Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability of a Marine-Derived Multimineral, Aquamin-Magnesium.

Introduction: Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in a range of key biochemical pathways. Several magnesium supplements are present on the market and their degree of bioavailability differs depending on the form of magnesium salt used. Aquamin-Mg is a natural source of magnesium, containing 72 additional trace minerals derived from the clean waters off the Irish coast. However, the in vitro bioaccessibility and bioavailability of Aquamin-Mg in comparison with other supplement sources of magnesium has yet to be tested. Method: Aquamin-Mg, magnesium chloride (MgCl2) and magnesium oxide (MgO) were subjected to gastrointestinal digestion according to the harmonized INFOGEST in vitro digestion method and in vitro bioavailability tested using the Caco-2 cell model. Magnesium concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Results: Magnesium recovery from both Aquamin-Mg and MgCl2 was greater than for MgO. Magnesium from all three sources was transported across the epithelial monolayer with Aquamin-Mg displaying a comparable profile to the more bioavailable MgCl2. Conclusions: Our data support that magnesium derived from a marine-derived multimineral product is bioavailable to a significantly greater degree than MgO and displays a similar profile to the more bioavailable MgCl2 and may offer additional health benefits given its multimineral profile.

Incorporation of the natural marine multi-mineral dietary supplement Aquamin enhances osteogenesis and improves the mechanical properties of a collagen-based bone graft substitute.

Aquamin is a commercially-available supplement derived from the algae species Lithothamnion, which has proven osteogenic potential. By harnessing this potential and combining Aquamin with a collagen scaffold, with architecture and composition optimised for bone repair, the aim of this study was to develop a natural osteo-stimulative bone graft substitute. A fabrication process was developed to incorporate Aquamin into scaffolds to produce collagen-Aquamin (CollAqua) scaffolds at two different Aquamin concentrations, 100F or 500F (equivalent weight% of collagen or five times the weight of collagen respectively). CollAqua constructs had improved mechanical properties which were achieved without reducing the scaffold׳s permeability or porosity below the minimum level required for successful bone tissue engineering. The fabrication process produced a homogenous Aquamin distribution throughout the scaffold. Release kinetics revealed that in the first 12h, the entire Aquamin content was released from the 100F however, less than half of Aquamin in the 500F was released with the remainder released approximately 21 days later giving an initial burst release followed by a delayed release. Osteoblasts cultured on the CollAqua scaffolds showed improved osteogenesis as measured by alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin and osteocalcin expression. This was confirmed by increased mineralisation as determined by von Kossa and Alizarin red staining. In conclusion, a cell and growth factor free collagen-based bone graft substitute with enhanced mechanical properties has been developed. The addition of Aquamin to the collagen biomaterial significantly improved mineralisation by osteoblasts and results in a new product which may be capable of enhancing osteogenesis to facilitate bone repair in vivo.

Antioxidant and pro-apoptotic effects of marine-derived, multi-mineral aquamin supplemented with a pine bark extract, Enzogenol, and a green tea extract, Sunphenon.

A high dietary intake of polyphenols has been associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, attributed in part to their antioxidant activity and pro-apoptotic effects. Aquamin is a multi-mineral algal extract that enhances bone mineralization, relieves osteoarthritis, and aids digestion; however, Aquamin has not demonstrated antioxidant activity. In the present study, Aquamin was supplemented with 8% Enzogenol, a pine bark extract with a high phenolic content, and 2% Sunphenon, a green tea extract that also has a high phenolic content to produce a mixed product (A:E:S). The antioxidant activity of A:E:S was compared with that of its constituent compounds and also with catechin and epigallocatechin by measuring total phenol content, ferric-reducing antioxidant potential, and 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate. The cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of the compounds were also measured in the U937, human monocytic blood cell line. A:E:S demonstrated an antioxidant activity that was equal to that of the compounds used in its preparation. Aquamin was not cytotoxic in the U937 cell line; however, A:E:S was cytotoxic and the primary mechanism of cell death was apoptosis. The biological effects of Aquamin were enhanced by supplementation with Enzogenol and Sunphenon to include antioxidant effects and the ability to induce apoptosis in U937 cells.