Algin
Algin

Background

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.
When taken by mouth: Algin is LIKELY SAFE when used in food amounts. The safety of larger medicinal amounts is unknown.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

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.

Effectiveness

NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Likely effective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
Likely ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
  • 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.

Dosing & administration

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.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Medications taken by mouth (Oral drugs)

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Algin 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.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Calcium: Algin, also known as alginate, might slightly reduce the amount of calcium that the body absorbs.
Chromium: Algin, also known as alginate, might reduce the amount of chromium that the body absorbs.
Copper: Algin, also known as alginate, might reduce the amount of copper that the body absorbs.
Iron: Algin, also known as alginate, might impact the amount of iron that the body absorbs.
Strontium: Algin, also known as alginate, binds with strontium and keeps it from being absorbed well by the body. This effect has been used to reduce strontium absorption and toxicity in cases of poisoning, but it might also affect the absorption of strontium supplements.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.

Action

Algin forms a gel that may lower cholesterol levels by reducing the amount of cholesterol entering the body.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 12/09/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 12/09/2014 17:04:26. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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