Quick Navigation

Ascophyllum nodosum

Ascophyllum nodosum is a species of seaweed. It is being investigated for its immunostimulatory properties and it may inhibit carbohydrate absorption after supplementation.

Our evidence-based analysis on ascophyllum nodosum features 41 unique references to scientific papers.

Kamal Patel
Research analysis led by .
Reviewed by
Examine.com Team
Last Updated:
⚡ Try for FREE: Examine Personalized — easily stay on top of the latest research.

Summary of Ascophyllum nodosum

Primary information, health benefits, side effects, usage, and other important details

Ascophyllum nodosum is a species of seaweed found around the globe. It is one of the many species of seaweed called kelp.

Ascophyllum nodosum contains compounds called phlorotannins, which are unique to seaweed and may be able to inhibit starch and lipid absorption. This effect is very unreliable, to the point where two human studies investigating carbohydrate absorption reported two opposite effects.

Ascophyllum nodosum also contains a compound called ascophyllan, which may have immunostimulatory properties. Ascophyllum nodosum extract has anti-inflammatory properties. Much more research is needed to determine the practical significance of Ascophyllum nodosum supplementation.

Though Ascophyllum nodosum is a healthy food, there is no evidence to support its usefulness as a supplement.

Get trusted information to level up your health

Getting an Examine.com subscription make it easy for you to stay-on-top & understand the latest research.

If you’re overwhelmed with all the possibilities and want step-by-step directions on what to take (how much, when, and in what combinations), then our Supplement Guides are perfect for you.

Your support keeps us 100% independent, so that there is no conflict of interest.


How to Take

Medical Disclaimer

Recommended dosage, active amounts, other details

Human studies investigating Ascophyllum nodosum use 4,600 mg of Ascophyllum nodosum extract added to a food product, taken once per day.

More research is needed to determine if this is the optimal dose of Ascophyllum nodosum. Different extract concentrates have not been tested.

📝 Don't fall for outdated information: Get Examine Personalized and acquire the latest research on 400+ supplements and their effects on 600+ health outcomes.

Already a member? Click here to login.

Human Effect Matrix

Unlocked for Examine members

The Human Effect Matrix summarizes human studies to tell you what effects Ascophyllum nodosum has on your body, how much evidence there is, and how strong these effects are.

Full details are available to Examine members.
Grade Level of Evidence
Robust research conducted with repeated double-blind clinical trials
Multiple studies where at least two are double-blind and placebo controlled
Single double-blind study or multiple cohort studies
Uncontrolled or observational studies only
Level of Evidence
? The amount of high quality evidence. The more evidence, the more we can trust the results.
Outcome Magnitude of effect
? The direction and size of the supplement's impact on each outcome. Some supplements can have an increasing effect, others have a decreasing effect, and others have no effect.
Consistency of research results
? Scientific research does not always agree. HIGH or VERY HIGH means that most of the scientific research agrees.
Notes
grade-d
Food Intake
Minor - See study
The reduction in voluntary food intake noted was 16.4% of a test meal (which was 80kcal in this study) and is not likely to make significant effects during weight loss.
grade-d
Appetite
- - See study
The noted reduction in food intake was not associated with decreased appetite.

Become an Examine Personalized member can access the latest nutrition research on over 400 supplements across over 600 different health goals, outcomes, conditions, and more.

Becoming an Examine subscriber not only unlocks the Human Effect Matrix for supplements, but also all health topics on Examine.com. We neatly summarize all the latest research so you can make the best decisions for your health based on what's accurate and not out-dated information.

Plus, you get a monthly summary of the latest research in the health topics you care about.

Things to Note

Is a Form Of

Other Functions:

Primary Function:

Also Known As

Kelp (one of many species), Egg Wrack, Rockweed

Get our free five-day course on the essentials of supplementation.

At Examine.com, our incentives line up with yours — getting unbiased information. It’s why we don’t sell any advertising or supplements.

Join over 250,000 people who’ve learned about effective versus overrated supplements, supplement buying tips, and how to combine supplements for safety and efficacy.

Research Breakdown on Ascophyllum nodosum

1Sources and Composition

1.1Sources

1.2Composition

2Neurology

2.1Appetite

3Cardiovascular Health

3.1Absorption

3.2Blood clotting

4Longevity and Life Extension

4.1Mechanisms

5Interactions with Glucose Metabolism

5.1Absorption

5.2Mechanisms

6Interactions with Fat Mass

6.1Interventions

7Inflammation and Immunology

7.1Macrophages

7.2Immunostimulation

8Interactions with Oxidation

8.1General

9Safety and Toxicology

9.1General
Click here to see all 41 references.

  • Examine.com is
    100% reader-supported

    We don't accept ads or corporate funding, or sell supplements.

    Becoming a member gives you access to monthly updates on studies and access to our database of 10,000+ studiy details.

    Try free for 7 days

This page is regularly updated, to include the most recently available clinical trial evidence.

Each member of our research team is required to have no conflicts of interest, including with supplement manufacturers, food companies, and industry funders. The team includes nutrition researchers, registered dietitians, physicians, and pharmacists. We have a strict editorial process.

This page features 41 references. All factual claims are followed by specifically-applicable references. Click here to see the full set of research information and references for Ascophyllum nodosum.

Examine.com is intended to be used for educational and information purposes only. Examine.com and its Editors do not advocate nutritional supplementation over proper medical advice or treatment and this sentiment will never be expressed through pages hosted under Examine.com. If using any pharmaceuticals or drugs given to you by a doctor or received with a prescription, you must consult with the doctor in question or an equally qualified Health Care Professional prior to using any nutritional supplementation. If undergoing medical therapies, then consult with your respective Therapist or Health Care Professional about possible interactions between your Treatment, any Pharmaceuticals or Drugs being given, and possible nutritional supplements or practices hosted on Examine.com.

Examine.com does not assume liability for any actions undertaken after visiting these pages, and does not assume liability if one misuses supplements. Examine.com and its Editors do not ensure that unforeseen side effects will not occur even at the proper dosages, and thereby does not assume liability for any side effects from supplements or practices hosted under the domain of Examine.com.

Supplements

Articles

Health Topics

NERD

Personalized

Protein Intake Guide

About

Never miss an update!

Your e-mail is safe with us. We don’t share personal data.

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.