For eons, algae have been part of our diet and the maintenance of the most fragile and delicate ecosystems. They are very noble organisms that have demonstrated positive effects on our body and our health.
Ecklonia cava is an alga categorized as "miraculous", which comes from Japan and Korea, especially near an island called Jeju-do. Although it is very popular in these countries, and is part of their typical food dishes, the reasons why it has so many benefits for humans have never been studied.
Recently, however, various scientific studies and publications, especially in the biological area, have been conducted, which have determined various compounds that exist within this plant.
Among the most important were the antioxidants, whose most prominent exponent was not only some molecules called catechins, but also resveratrol and the various vitamins and minerals it contained. This alga can produce them on its own thanks to some intrinsic polymerization processes.
Each of these molecules has been linked in the past with strong effects on the cardiovascular system, especially catechins and resveratrol. Ecklonia cava is even able to modify some characteristics of these compounds to make them more "fat soluble". Although it sounds complicated, the effect is simple and crucial: it is absorbed faster in the central nervous system and the corresponding blood vessels.
A Sea of Cardiovascular Benefits
Although this type of algae has many different benefits on our health, ranging from increased immunity and related markers to hair growth, let's focus for a second on our beloved cardiovascular system, one of the most affected. Let's review some of the effects and how they work on our body.
1. Resveratrol
Resveratrol is only one of many positive molecules found inside Ecklonia cava, however, this molecule has been studied since much earlier, because it was isolated in other compounds, where it was determined that the protective effect it had on the cardiovascular system was incredible.
It seems that the secret of this molecule is its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects1, although it seems that it can mediate indirect secondary processes on each of the mediators that regulate the state of our arteries.
To begin with, resveratrol has been shown to improve the function of our endothelium, which may prevent atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. It is in our endothelium that all the mediators that control blood pressure (such as nitric oxide) and other secondary factors that determine cholesterol buildup (such as I-CAM and V-CAM) are released.
In addition, it seems that this molecule can control the dilation of the arteries (improving the flow to our heart), in addition to inhibiting some other mediators that are not only involved in atherosclerosis (cholesterol accumulation), but also in platelet aggregation (important cause of heart attacks and other serious ischemic injuries)2.
Only the decrease of blood pressure (as mentioned in previous studies) and the control of the cholesterol level and the various aggregation molecules, are key to the prevention of strokes and heart attacks. It is necessary to mention, of course, that the origin of these diseases is totally cardiovascular.
On the other hand, during the accumulation of cholesterol and ischemic processes, not only disorders such as those we have mentioned occur, but also inflammatory alterations. It is necessary to control inflammatory mediators in the case of patients with recent events and, it seems that resveratrol is an effective solution for this3.
2. Catechins
Catechins are powerful antioxidants that can be found in many compounds; however, they are atypically abundant in Ecklonia cava. Not only can they boost our cardiovascular system, but they can improve many different aspects of our health.
To begin with, antioxidants are fundamental to our lives. Lately, much importance has been given to oxidative stress reactions because of the important link they have with the origin and establishment of many diseases, especially chronic ones.
For example, the most important complications of diabetes (such as neuropathy, nephropathy and diabetic retinopathy) are directly related to oxidative stress. The damage caused by the accumulation of glucose on the arteries (especially the inner layer) is due to free radicals, the protagonists of oxidative stress.
The control of catechins4 on oxidative stress, especially at the cardiovascular level, makes them an incredible solution to boost our arteries and heart and avoid the chronic (or acute) damage of some diseases.
However, their effect does not end there. Catechins are also unable to regulate the metabolism of blood lipids. A bit complicated, isn't it? However, this is crucial for maintaining cholesterol and preventing its buildup, which leads to atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction.
Final Thoughts
Consuming Ecklonia cava can be a fast, healthy and effective alternative to maintain your cardiovascular health, or improve any disease you have. Remember, we don't know how much our arteries are affected until it's too late, so the best option is to start taking care of yourself now.
Knowing this, and the benefits of Ecklonia cava, we created a supplement that concentrates the best qualities of this algae, especially resveratrol and catechins, to enhance your cardiovascular health. We are talking of Imperial JIAI 302, who takes the best of the polyphenols and catechins in Ecklonia cava and brings them right to where you need them most, your heart.
References
- Resveratrol in cholesterol metabolism and atherosclerosis. Voloshyna I, Hussaini SM, Reiss AB J Med Food. 2012 Sep; 15(9):763-73 [PubMed]
- Magyar K, et al. Cardioprotection by resveratrol: a human clinical trial in patients with stable coronary artery disease. Clin. Hemorheol. Microcirc. 2012;50:179–187. [PubMed]
- Tomé-Carneiro J, Gonzálvez M, Larrosa M, García-Almagro FJ, Avilés-Plaza F, Parra S, Yáñez-Gascón MJ, Ruiz-Ros JA, García-Conesa MT, Tomás-Barberán FA, Espín JC. Consumption of a grape extract supplement containing resveratrol decreases oxidized LDL and ApoB in patients undergoing primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: a triple-blind, 6-month follow-up, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2012 May; 56(5):810-21.[PubMed]
- Bernatoniene J., Kopustinskiene M. The Role of Catechins in Cellular Responses to Oxidative Stress. Molecules. 2018 Apr 20;23(4). DOI: 10.3390/molecules23040965