Marine Phytoplankton | How can it help to reduce diabetes complaints?

You probably know someone who has diabetes. But did you know that in 2013 there were around 380 million people diagnosed with diabetes?

Numerous medicine have been developed for diabetes. Despite the development of these synthetic medicine, scientific projections indicate that by 2030, approximately 500 million people will have diabetes. This has major consequences: Diabetes can lead to damage to organs, including the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and even blood vessels. It is therefore necessary to look for natural alternatives in addition to synthetic medicines. Over the past 15 years, an increasing amount of research shows that various sources from the ocean can have a positive effect on this. These are mainly microalgae and seaweed.

Did you know that more than 20,000 substances from our oceans are used as alternatives to chemically synthesized medicines?

But let's start at the beginning.

What is Diabetes Mellitus (Sugar Disease)? 

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder in which insulin production, insulin release, or insulin response is inadequate. Insulin is a hormone that allows your cells to absorb sugar. Hence, it is one of the most important substances for the sugar level of the blood. If this substance is not produced enough or if the body does not respond well to it, the sugar level in the blood can become dangerously high. This can lead to damage to various organs as mentioned earlier. Some people have a congenital form of diabetes (type 1), but in principle anyone can get diabetes (type 2), as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle. 

If one of your parents has type 2 diabetes, you have a 10-20% chance of developing it too.

Cause Diabetes Mellitus 

The development of diabetes depends on various factors, including: genetic predisposition and various lifestyle factors, such as: exposure to certain viruses, diet, exercise, high cholesterol, smoking and (heavy) obesity. 

Did you know that overweight makes the body less responsive to insulin?

Cause: Inflammation

Recent research shows that inflammatory processes play a major role in the development of diabetes. Inflammation causes that the body responds less well to insulin, so that the sugar level cannot be properly controlled. As a result, many anti-inflammatory medicines are now being sought and tested as a possible treatment for diabetes.

Preventing diabetes (type 2) 

Despite a possible genetic predisposition, only a healthy lifestyle – in the form of diet and exercise – can significantly help prevent or delay certain types of diabetes (type 2). Be critical and judge for yourself the extent to which you have a healthy lifestyle.

Treatment of diabetes 

There is no curative treatment for diabetes. In general, the therapy consists of dietary advice, exercise advice and various medicines to maintain the sugar level. However, the disadvantage of these medicines is that they often come with side effects. Because of this, we would always advise to look for natural alternatives.

Support your sugar level in a natural way with Marine Phytoplankton

Research shows that multiple nutrients in Marine Phytoplankton can significantly lower blood sugar levels. It is also rich in ingredients that have an anti-inflammatory function. These are mainly the Omega-3 fatty acids and natural pigments (carotenoids). 

Pigments in Marine Phytoplankton
Marine Phytoplankton contains many pigments, including Astaxanthin and Fucoxanthin: Astaxanthin is a pigment with strong anti-inflammatory properties. The anti-inflammatory function of astaxanthin is 10 times stronger than, for example, beta-carotene. Research shows that astaxanthin can even prevent or delay diabetes. Marine Phytoplankton also contains Fucoxanthin. This pigment offers other health benefits, including lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Both factors help to counteract or prevent the development of diabetes. 

Omega 3 fatty acids in Marine Phytoplankton
We regularly discuss the importance of Omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fats also play a major role in fat metabolism and sugar levels. Intake of these fats can lead to a reduction in LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and sugar levels. In addition, these fatty acids also have an anti-inflammatory function, which means that it can have a positive effect on the inflammatory processes that can lead to diabetes.  

Conclusion

The beginning and progression of diabetes consists of a complex interplay of both genetic and lifestyle factors. All these factors can lead to a process of chronic small inflammations in the body. Consequently, many processes (including the regulation of the sugar level) cannot run properly. The nutrients in Marine Phytoplankton have a unique anti-inflammatory ability and may even counteract other causes (such as high cholesterol). 

Finally, more and more research shows that these nutrients can significantly delay or even prevent the beginning of diabetes and its consequences. Remember that Marine Phytoplankton is an addition to your daily diet and is not a substitute for a varied diet, healthy lifestyle or medication. Think of it as part of your healthy diet, but certainly not as a replacement. 

Do you have more questions about diabetes mellitus and the role of Marine Phytoplankton? Send an email to alexander@plnktn.com 

Thanks for reading! 

Yours sincerely, 
Alexander Rakic

 

List of References: 

(1): Inflammation and insulin resistance. Shoelson SE, Lee J, Goldfine AB. J Clin Invest. 2006 Jul; 116(7):1793-801.

(2): Hussein G., Sankawa U., Goto H., Matsumoto K., Watanabe H. Astaxanthin, a carotenoid with potential in human health and nutrition. J. Nat. Prod. 2006;69:443–449. doi: 10.1021/np050354+.

(3): Yuan J.P., Peng J., Yin K., Wang J.H. Potential health-promoting effects of astaxanthin: A high-value carotenoid mostly from microalgae. Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 2011;55:150–165. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201000414.

(4): Marine bioactives: pharmacological properties and potential applications against inflammatory diseases. D'Orazio N, Gammone MA, Gemello E, De Girolamo M, Cusenza S, Riccioni G. Mar Drugs. 2012 Apr; 10(4):812-33.

(5): Shiratori K., Okgami K., Ilieva I., Jin X.H., Koyama Y., Miyashita K., Yoshida K., Kase S., Ohno S. Effects of fucoxanthin on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in vitro and in vivoExp. Eye Res. 2005;81:422–428. doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2005.03.002.

(6): eon S.M., Kim H.J., Woo M.N., Lee M.K., Shin Y.C., Park Y.B., Choi M.S. Fucoxanthin-rich seaweed extract suppresses body weight gain and improves lipid metabolism in high-Fat-Fed C57BL/6J Mice. Biotechnol. J. 2010;5:961–969. doi: 10.1002/biot.201000215.

(7): Tabernero M., Bermejo M.L., Elvira M., Caz V., Baeza F., Senorans F.J., de Miguel E., Largo C. Metabolic effect of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in different doses and formulations (ethyl- and glyceryl-) in hypercholesterolemic rats. J. Func. Foods. 2013 in press.