Aquamin Mineralized Red Algae
Also known as: Aquamin, Phymatolithon calcareum, mineralized red algae extract, red marine algae mineral supplement, Lithothamnion calcareum
Overview
Aquamin is a natural, multi-mineral dietary supplement derived from the calcified skeletal remains of the red marine algae *Lithothamnion calcareum* (also known as *Phymatolithon calcareum*). This algae species thrives in the cold Atlantic waters off the coasts of Ireland and Iceland, accumulating a rich spectrum of minerals from the seawater. The harvested algae are processed into a supplement containing approximately 12-30% calcium, about 1% magnesium, and 72 other trace minerals, including lanthanides. Primarily used for bone health, Aquamin is also investigated for its potential benefits in colon health, including reducing the risk of colon polyps, and for mitigating the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). It is recognized as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS 000028) for human consumption.
Benefits
Aquamin offers several evidence-based benefits, primarily stemming from its broad mineral profile. For **colon health**, a human trial showed that daily Aquamin supplementation (800 mg calcium equivalent) beneficially altered colonic mucosal protein expression, suggesting improved gut barrier function and reduced inflammation. In animal models, it significantly reduced adenomatous polyp formation in mice on a high-fat diet (p < 0.05). Regarding **bone health**, animal studies indicate Aquamin can mitigate the negative effects of a high-fat Western diet on bone structure and function, leading to statistically significant improvements in bone parameters. Furthermore, Aquamin supplementation in mice reduced the progression of **non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)**, including a reduction in tumor formation in long-term studies. These effects are likely due to the synergistic action of calcium, magnesium, and various trace minerals modulating cellular pathways involved in inflammation, cell proliferation, and differentiation. While promising, most evidence comes from animal studies and small human trials, necessitating larger, high-powered human clinical trials for confirmation.
How it works
Aquamin's mechanism of action is attributed to its rich mineral complex, particularly calcium and magnesium, which are crucial for bone mineralization and cellular signaling. The broad spectrum of 72 trace elements is believed to modulate various biological pathways, including those involved in inflammation, cell proliferation, and differentiation within the colon mucosa and liver tissue. In the gastrointestinal tract, Aquamin appears to improve barrier function and reduce inflammation by influencing protein expression. It also plays a role in bone remodeling processes. In the liver, it may protect cells from fatty infiltration and tumorigenesis. The natural matrix of the algae is thought to enhance the absorption and bioavailability of these minerals, allowing for effective interaction with various body systems. Proteomic studies have shown its ability to modulate proteins involved in cell adhesion, differentiation, and immune response in colon tissue.
Side effects
Aquamin is generally considered safe and has been granted GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe 000028) status. Clinical studies have not reported any significant common, uncommon, or rare side effects. No specific drug interactions have been documented; however, as a calcium-containing supplement, caution is advised regarding potential interactions with calcium-binding medications or drugs whose efficacy is sensitive to mineral levels. There are no specific contraindications identified, but individuals with pre-existing conditions such as hypercalcemia (high blood calcium levels) or a history of kidney stones should exercise caution. Data on safety during pregnancy, lactation, and in pediatric populations are limited, and therefore, use in these special populations should be approached with care and under medical supervision.
Dosage
Clinical studies investigating Aquamin's benefits have typically utilized doses providing approximately 800 mg of elemental calcium daily. This dosage also delivers proportional amounts of magnesium and other trace minerals inherent in the Aquamin complex. While a maximum safe dose has not been explicitly defined, the studied doses have shown no adverse effects. There are no specific timing recommendations, but like other calcium supplements, taking Aquamin with meals may enhance absorption. It is available in various forms, including powder and capsules, with potential slight variations in bioavailability between formulations. The natural mineral matrix of Aquamin is believed to enhance absorption compared to isolated calcium salts. While not specifically studied with Aquamin, adequate Vitamin D status is generally important for optimal calcium absorption.
FAQs
Is Aquamin safe for long-term use?
Available data suggest safety for long-term use at studied doses, but large-scale, long-term human trials are still needed to confirm this definitively.
Does Aquamin provide benefits beyond calcium supplementation?
Yes, due to its broad spectrum of trace minerals and demonstrated effects on colon mucosal proteins and liver health in animal models, it offers more than just calcium.
Can Aquamin replace standard calcium supplements?
It can serve as an alternative, offering additional trace minerals, but direct comparative trials against standard calcium supplements are limited.
Is Aquamin FDA approved?
Aquamin is GRAS-certified, meaning it's 'Generally Recognized as Safe' for its intended use, but it is not FDA-approved as a drug; it is marketed as a dietary supplement.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8002192/ – This human randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of Aquamin on colonic mucosal protein expression. It found that daily Aquamin supplementation (800 mg Ca/day) beneficially altered protein expression compared to calcium carbonate and placebo, suggesting improved colon barrier function and reduced inflammation. The study was well-controlled but had a small sample size and used surrogate endpoints.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3660990/ – This animal study on mice fed a high-fat diet demonstrated that Aquamin significantly reduced the formation of adenomatous polyps compared to control groups (p<0.05). This provides good quality preclinical evidence for Aquamin's potential role in colon polyp prevention, though translation to humans requires further research.
- https://aquamin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/23.-Aslam-et-al.-2010-Bone.pdf – This research, likely an animal study, indicates that Aquamin mitigates the deleterious effects of a high-fat Western diet on bone structure and function. It showed statistically significant improvements in bone parameters, suggesting a protective role for Aquamin in bone health under certain dietary conditions.
- https://scitechdaily.com/mineral-dietary-supplement-could-stop-fatty-liver-disease-progression/ – This article summarizes an animal study where Aquamin supplementation reduced the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in mice. It also noted a reduction in tumor formation in long-term studies, offering promising preliminary data for liver health, though human confirmation is needed.
- https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/b5f8/f163cf53f452661162ad0ec6a3bf7346e13.pdf – This source, likely a review or meta-analysis, supports the bioavailability and safety of plant-based calcium sources, which indirectly validates the potential of mineral complexes like Aquamin. It contributes to the understanding of how naturally derived mineral supplements can be effectively absorbed and utilized by the body.