Algae for Blood Clots

Researchers of a new study found that green and brown algae have strong anticoagulant, or blood thinning activity, suggesting potential for the treatment of blood clots. Blood clots are clumps of different types of blood cells and clotting factors that stop bleeding after an injury.

Researchers from Cheju National University in South Korea evaluated 22 algal species for their potential blood thinning activities.

Researchers found that most probably, the active compound or compounds of the algal species were related to high molecular weight polysaccharide or a complex form with carbohydrate and protein.

Algin is a polysaccharide that is derived from brown seaweed and currently confined to the North Atlantic basin. It is often used as packing material for shellfish. Algin is often used to normalize bowel function. Algin has been used in combination with dietary fibers in rat studies to evaluate their effects on lipids. However, this application has not been confirmed by human studies.

Fucus vesiculosus is a brown seaweed that grows on the northern coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and the North and Baltic seas. Laboratory studies have found anticoagulant properties in fucans or fucoidans, which are components of brown algae such as bladderwrack. However, there are no high-quality human studies available to support this use.

More studies are needed to ascertain the effects of green and brown algae on blood thinning and clotting.

 

Herbs that have been clinically reported to increase the risk of bleeding include: garlic, Ginkgo biloba and saw palmetto.

Agents that may increase risk of bleeding when taken alone or concomitantly with other agents based on known mechanism of action, basic science studies, human case reports/trials and/or expert opinion include: alfalfa, American ginseng, angelica, anise, arginine, Arnica montana, asafetida, aspen bark, bilberry , birch, black cohosh, bladderwrack, bogbean, boldo, borage seed oil, bromelain, capsicum, cat's claw, celery, chamomile, chaparral, clove, coleus, cordyceps, danshen, devil's claw, Dong Quai, EPA, evening primrose oil, fenugreek, feverfew, fish oil, flax/flaxseed, ginger, ginseng, grapefruit juice, grape seed, green tea, guggul, gymnestra, horse chestnut, horseradish, leopard's bane, licorice, lovage root, male fern, meadowsweet, nordihydroguairetic acid (NDGA), omega-3 fatty acids, onion, papain, Panax ginseng, parsley, passion flower, poplar, prickly ash, propolis, quassia, red clover, reishi, rue, saw palmetto, siberian ginseng, soy, Spanish bayonet, sweet birch, sweet clover, turmeric, vitamin C, vitamin E, willow bark, wild carrot, wild lettuce and wintergreen.

For more information about the algae or seaweed, please visit Natural Standard's Herbs & Supplements and Health & Wellness databases.

Comments

[C. Donald McKelvie]

This is very interesting, but is it needed? There are already many blood-thinning drugs out there. Unless there is another benefit that is attributed to algae specifically, I don't really see the need for it.

[Paul]

It's interesting that there is still so much work in anticoagulation. Warfarin has been around for such a long time, and it just can’t be dethroned. Blood clotting is a very serious problem though, from deep vein thrombosis to stroke and clots in the heart. It would be nice to have a few things around that have different problems with them, and different ways of acting. Maybe, if this works fast and stops fast, it could be great for business travelers trying to avoid DVTs.

[Emily P.]

I think this is very interesting, although I agree sort of unnecessary. It doesn’t hurt to have options, however, to increase accessibility and the availability of different treatments for patients who may have allergies.

[dbmartin]

I will play the devil's advocate here... I think natural, dietary ways to prevent blood clots are quite needed! Aspirin is great, but it can be dangerous for people prone to ulcers or who are sensitive to it, and warfarin is not the safest drug in the world. Algae has a lot of good nutritional value, and if it can help prevent blood clots to boot, I think that's pretty good news! Of course, the data sound very preliminary, so who knows at this point if there is really any benefit to it at all when consumed nutritionally. I hope the researchers will continue to pursue this...

[Karen]

About that long list of ingredients that may increase risk of bleeding: do those agents have the potential to treat blood clots as well? I think it might be more important to advertise the blood-thinning properties of these agents, many of which I eat on a regular basis without giving them a second thought. I’m sure that a mug of green tea or some alfalfa sprouts wouldn’t pose too much danger, but if these foods and other supplements interfere with other blood medications, people should know about them.

On a related note, are these algae already in any food products on the market?

[Tim P.]

I agree with DB Martin, and I have heard that there is a lot of nutritional value in eating algae, such as it being a good source of protein. There needs to be more research, but at least this is a start. Since there are many different situations in which blood clots can occur, having a different treatment option is probably an advantage.

[Caren]

While I am not familiar with blood-thinning drugs that are available, I am excited to hear that researchers are constantly discovering new resources. Perhaps it is unnecessary, but if it is a viable option, then I would like to know that it is being studied. Also, I had no idea that there were so many agents that may increase risk of bleeding!

[Fern]

Does the nori that I eat in my miso soup and as the outside of sushi help to lower my blood pressure? I think seaweed is a type of algae, but I'm not sure.

[Eli Hansen]

Fern, nori is a type of algae, but not the type discussed here. Nori is a species of red algae. However, it is also quite good for you, as it is low in calories and high in fiber, protein and vitamin A.

[Sally]

Hmmm, I'm usually up for super healthy foods, but I'm not a big fan of eating algae or seaweed. I don't think that you could get anyone to eat enough for it to have noticeable effects on someone's health. Perhaps this study would be more relevant in an Asian diet where they eat algae/seaweed regularly.

[Alicia M]

I just tried to do some "research" on algae, and proponents claim it is a miracle food that does just about everything, including making you beautiful, brainy, purified and resistant to infections. Does anyone know of any good, reliable sources on algae that are based on science rather than bunk?

[dalz]

The information is a fun fact to know, but not really useful in application. How much of this stuff would I need to eat to actually have it work? It's too bad it doesn't include the seaweed found in my spider rolls!

[D. Scully]

I'm unclear if this algae was being investigated as a preventative measure for high blood pressure. I wonder who funded this story.

[S. Haasis]

A new medication is not necessary? Why would someone even suggest that unless you obviously have never been on warfarin (Coumadin)? If a new medication could be developed that did not require me to be fearful every day from putting rat poison in my body it would be a welcomed addition to treatment to blood clots. Any new measure to find a safer medication is always wanted by patients on Coumadin.