The Safety of Long-Term Ingestion of Fucoidan from Gagome Kombu (<i>Kjellmaniella Crassifolia</i>) on Cancer Patients / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

<b>Objective:</b> Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide in Gagome kombu (GKF) is known to exhibit immune-enhancing and anti-cancer activities. Recently, cancer patients use various dietary supplements containing fucoidan and mushroom extracts. However, there have been few reports on the safety and efficacy of fucoidan-containing supplements. In this study, we examined the safety of long-term ingestion of GKF in cancer patients.<br> <b>Methods:</b> Twenty six (26) Japanese cancer patients—16 of whom (male 6, female 10, age 62.8 ± 10.7) have completed cancer treatment and 10 (male 4, female 6, 67.0 ± 10.6) still under treatment and regularly taking anti-cancer drugs and hormone pills—were chosen to ingest GKF-containing supplements (200–300 mg/day) for 8 weeks. Before ingestion and every 4 weeks thereafter (4^th and 8^th week), blood chemistry analysis, hematological analysis, urinalysis and immune analysis were conducted.<br> <b>Result:</b> There were no adverse clinical changes in blood and urinary analysis. In addition, no serious adverse effects were observed.<br> <b>Conclusion:</b> These results indicate long-term ingestion of GKF is indeed, safe for cancer patients.<br>

The Safety and Immune-Efficacy of Fucoidan from Gagome Kombu (<i>Kjellmaniella crassifolia</i>) on the Elderly / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

<b>Objective:</b> Gagome kombu (<i>Kjellmaniella crassifolia</i>), an edible brown seaweed grown around the southern area of Hokkaido, is known to abundantly contain fucoidan. Previous studies show that on animals, fucoidan from Gagome kombu (GKF) exhibits immune-enhancing, anti-cancer and anti-influenza virus capabilities. In this study, we focused on the elderly and evaluated the safety and immune-efficacy of GKF.<br> <b>Methods:</b> Eighteen (18) Japanese elderly subjects were chosen to ingest the test samples (3 tablets/day containing 50 mg GKF and lactic acid bacteria) for 8 weeks. Before ingestion and every 4 weeks thereafter (4^th and 8^th week), blood chemistry analysis, hematological analysis, urinalysis and immune analysis were conducted.<br> <b>Result:</b> Test results showed no adverse clinical changes in blood and urinary analysis. In addition, no serious symptoms were observed. Moreover, GKF markedly decreased serum IgE levels.<br> <b>Conclusion:</b> These results indicate that in the case of elderly, GKF is a safe functional food ingredient.<br>