Algin
OTHER NAME(S): Alginate, Alginate de Calcium, Alginate de Magnésium, Alginate de Potassium, Alginate de Sodium, Alginate Salt, Alginates, Alginato de Calcio, Alginato de Magnesio, Alginato de Potasio, Alginato de Sodio, Calcium Alginate, Magnesium Alginate, Potassium Alginate, Sodium Alginate, Alginic acid, Alginato, Algine
Overview
Algin is a type of carbohydrate found in brown seaweeds. It is also made by some bacteria. Algin is used as a food additive. It is also used to make certain health products such as tablets, lozenges, and peel-off facial masks. Algin is also as a medicine.
People use algin to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and to reduce the amount of heavy chemicals that are taken up by the body, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Algin forms a gel that may lower cholesterol levels by reducing the amount of cholesterol entering the body.
Algin forms a gel that may lower cholesterol levels by reducing the amount of cholesterol entering the body.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Lowering cholesterol.
- Lowering blood pressure.
- Decreasing the amount of the certain heavy chemicals taken up (absorbed) by the body.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of algin for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Algin is LIKELY SAFE when used in food amounts. The safety of larger medicinal amounts is unknown.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Algin is LIKELY SAFE when used in food amounts. The safety of larger medicinal amounts is unknown.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if algin is safe to use in medicinal amounts when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
Minor Interaction
Be watchful with this combination
- Medications taken by mouth (Oral drugs) interacts with AlginAlgin can form a thick gel. Algin can stick to medications in the stomach and intestines. Taking algin at the same time as medications that you take by mouth can affect how much medication your body absorbs. To prevent this interaction, take algin 30-60 minutes after medications you take by mouth.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of algin depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for algin. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
- Robbers JE, Speedie MK, Tyler VE. Pharmacognosy and Pharmacobiotechnology. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1996.
- US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological profile for strontium. April 2004. Available at: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp159.pdf. (Accessed 8 August 2006).
- Harmuth-Hoene, A. E. and Schelenz, R. Effect of dietary fiber on mineral absorption in growing rats. J Nutr 1980;110(9):1774-1784.
- Skjak-Bræk G. Alginates: biosynthesis and some structure-function relationships relevant to biomedical and biotechnological applications. Biochem Soc Trans 1992;20(1):27-33.
- Leid JG, Willson CJ, Shirtliff ME, Hassett DJ, Parsek MR, Jeffers AK. The exopolysaccharide alginate protects Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm bacteria from IFN-gamma-mediated macrophage killing. J Immunol. 2005;175(11):7512-7518.
- Bosscher D, Van Caillie-Bertrand M, Deelstra H. Effect of thickening agents, based on soluble dietary fiber, on the availability of calcium, iron, and zinc from infant formulas. Nutrition. 2001;17(7-8):614-8.
- Beneke CE, Viljoen AM, Hamman JH. Polymeric plant-derived excipients in drug delivery. Molecules. 2009;14(7):2602-20.
- Harrison J, McNeill KG, Janiga A. The effect of sodium alginate on the absorption of strontium and calcium in human subjects. Can Med Assoc J. 1966;95(10):532-4.