How Do Brown Seaweeds Work on Biomarkers of Dyslipidemia? A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression

Polysaccharides: The Sweet and Bitter Impacts on Cardiovascular Risk

Cardiovascular risk is a clinical factor that represents the probability of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This risk is shaped by non-modifiable and modifiable factors, including dietary patterns, which are the main lifestyle factor influencing CVD. Dietary polysaccharides, integral to nutrition, have varying effects on cardiovascular health depending on their type and source. They include starches, non-starch polysaccharides, and prebiotic fibers, categorized further into soluble and insoluble fibers. Soluble fibers, found in oats, legumes, and fruits, dissolve in water, forming gels that help lower serum cholesterol and modulate blood glucose levels. Insoluble fibers, present in whole grains and vegetables, aid in bowel regularity. The cardiovascular benefits of polysaccharides are linked to their ability to bind bile acids, reducing cholesterol levels, and the production of short-chain fatty acids by gut microbiota, which have anti-inflammatory properties. However, not all polysaccharides are beneficial; refined starches can lead to adverse metabolic effects, and chitosan to mixed effects on gut microbiota. This review examines the dualistic nature of polysaccharides, highlighting their beneficial roles in reducing cardiovascular risk factors and the potential adverse effects of specific types.

Multiple health outcomes associated with algae and its extracts supplementation: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Algae and its extracts, widely consumed as functional foods, offer numerous health benefits; however, a comprehensive systematic summary of clinical evidence is currently lacking. The study was to assess the available evidence and provide an accurate estimate of the overall effects of algae and its extracts supplementation on various health outcomes. The comprehensive searches in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library until December 22, 2023 were implemented. The random-effects model was employed to pool the overall effect sizes (ESs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using Stata software. Moreover, detecting the methodological quality and evidence level of the eligible studies were employed by A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Review 2 (AMSTAR2) and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation. Ultimately, 25 articles covering 133 health outcomes were included in this umbrella review. The pooled results demonstrated that the algae and its extracts could significantly decrease body weight (ES = -1.65; 95% CI: -1.97, -1.34; p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (ES = -0.42; 95% CI: -0.78, -0.07; p = 0.020), waist circumference (WC) (ES = -1.40; 95% CI: -1.40, -1.39; p < 0.001), triglyceride (TG) (ES = -1.38; 95% CI: -2.15, -0.62; p < 0.001), total cholesterol (TC) (ES: -1.40; 95% CI: -2.09, -0.72; p < 0.001), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) (ES = -7.85; 95% CI: -8.55, -7.15; p < 0.001), fasting blood glucose (ES = -2.68; 95% CI: -4.57, -0.79; p = 0.005), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (ES = -0.15; 95% CI: -0.24, -0.07; p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (ES = -3.21; 95% CI: -5.25, -1.17; p = 0.002), diastolic blood pressure (ES = -3.84; 95% CI: -7.02, -0.65; p = 0.018), alanine transaminase (ES = -0.42; 95% CI: -0.70, -0.14; p = 0.003), and alkaline phosphatase (ES = -0.54; 95% CI: -0.99, -0.10; p = 0.017). Due to the limited number of studies, no benefit was displayed on markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Considering the suboptimal quality of studies and the insufficient articles pertaining to certain outcomes, further well-designed research is imperative to substantiate the observed findings.

Seaweeds as Nutraceutical Elements and Drugs for Diabetes Mellitus: Future Perspectives

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic condition marked by high blood glucose levels caused by inadequate insulin synthesis or poor insulin use. This condition affects millions of individuals worldwide and is linked to a variety of consequences, including cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy. Diabetes therapy now focuses on controlling blood glucose levels through lifestyle changes, oral medicines, and insulin injections. However, these therapies have limits and may not successfully prevent or treat diabetic problems. Several marine-derived chemicals have previously demonstrated promising findings as possible antidiabetic medicines in preclinical investigations. Peptides, polyphenols, and polysaccharides extracted from seaweeds, sponges, and other marine species are among them. As a result, marine natural products have the potential to be a rich source of innovative multitargeted medications for diabetes prevention and treatment, as well as associated complications. Future research should focus on the chemical variety of marine creatures as well as the mechanisms of action of marine-derived chemicals in order to find new antidiabetic medicines and maximize their therapeutic potential. Based on preclinical investigations, this review focuses on the next step for seaweed applications as potential multitargeted medicines for diabetes, highlighting the bioactivities of seaweeds in the prevention and treatment of this illness.

The correlation between iodine and metabolism: a review

Iodine is involved in the synthesis of thyroid hormones and plays a crucial role in human life. Both iodine deficiency and excess are common issues in certain populations. Iodine also has extrathyroidal effects on organs that can uptake it independently of thyroid hormones. Recently, multiple clinical studies have shown a connection between iodine intake and metabolic disorders, such as metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. However, the results of these studies have been inconsistent, and the mechanisms behind these associations are still not well understood. Therefore, in this review, we aim to examine the recent research progress regarding the relationship between iodine and metabolic disorders, along with the relevant mechanisms.

Brown Seaweed Consumption as a Promising Strategy for Blood Glucose Management: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis

Diabetes is a chronic condition that can lead to various complications; therefore, there is a need to emphasize prevention and management. Dietary interventions, such as the Mediterranean diet or calorie-restricted regimens, coupled with exercise-induced weight reduction, have been recommended for enhancing diabetes management. Seaweeds contain various functional components, such as polyphenols and fucoidan, which have been reported to exert multiple benefits, including blood glucose regulation, improved intestinal health, and enhanced of lipid profiles. The association between blood glucose and seaweed consumption has been established in previous research. We searched the PubMed, RISS, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library databases to identify relevant studies after applying the selection/exclusion criteria, and 23 studies were ultimately included in this analysis. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software version 4.0 was used to assess statistical significance and heterogeneity. In this meta-analysis, postprandial blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) levels demonstrated significant improvements in the seaweed group compared to the control group. Conversely, fasting blood glucose and insulin levels did not show significant associations with seaweed consumption. Subgroup analysis revealed that a high dose (1000 mg or more) was more beneficial than a low dose, and seaweeds such as Laminaria digitata, Undaria pinnatifida, Acophyllum nodosum, and Fucus vesiculosus were found to be more effective at improving blood glucose levels than control treatments. Therefore, based on our research, seaweed supplementation appears to be a promising strategy for reducing postprandial blood glucose, HbA1c, and HOMA-IR levels, thereby enabling better blood glucose management and leading to a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes.

Therapeutic Potential of Polyphenols and Other Micronutrients of Marine Origin

Polyphenols are compounds found in various plants and foods, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Recently, researchers have been exploring the therapeutic potential of marine polyphenols and other minor nutrients that are found in algae, fish and crustaceans. These compounds have unique chemical structures and exhibit diverse biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antitumor action. Due to these properties, marine polyphenols are being investigated as possible therapeutic agents for the treatment of a wide variety of conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. This review focuses on the therapeutic potential of marine polyphenols and their applications in human health, and also, in marine phenolic classes, the extraction methods, purification techniques and future applications of marine phenolic compounds.