In partnership with
Hello {{First Name|there}},
This week we'll be discussing fucoxanthin, a carotenoid found primarily in seaweeds such as wakame, kombu, and hijiki.
Unlike many carotenoids found in fruits and vegetables, fucoxanthin comes from the ocean and gives algae their characteristic brownish color.
Research has linked fucoxanthin to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, metabolic, and cardiovascular effects. In a 2024 paper, researchers have begun investigating its potential role in angiogenesis.
What Is Fucoxanthin?
Fucoxanthin is a type of xanthophyll, a subgroup of carotenoids that contain oxygen in their molecular structure.
It helps brown algae capture light for photosynthesis while also protecting their cells from oxidative stress caused by exposure to light and oxygen. Brown seaweeds containing fucoxanthin, including wakame, kombu, and hijiki, have been eaten for centuries, particularly in China, Korea, and Japan.
Scientists first isolated fucoxanthin from brown seaweeds in 1914. More than a century later, it remains an active area of research because of its unusual chemical structure and wide range of biological activities.
What gives brown seaweed its characteristic color?
How Does It Work?
Fucoxanthin has a unique molecular structure that allows it to interact with pathways involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular metabolism.
Fucoxanthin and Angiogenesis
In vitro, fucoxanthin reduced several steps required for new blood vessel formation, including cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation. It was proposed that fucoxanthin interacts with VEGF, reducing activation of VEGFR2 and downstream MEK/ERK signaling. It also reduced VEGF-triggered production of reactive oxygen species.
→ In other words, fucoxanthin appears to interfere with some of the signals endothelial cells use to form new blood vessels.
⚠️ What About Fucoxanthin for Weight Loss?
Fucoxanthin has attracted attention for its potential effects on metabolism and body weight. Animal studies are promising, and a small number of human studies have reported weight loss with fucoxanthin-containing supplements.
However, the evidence remains limited. Importantly, the largest human study tested fucoxanthin as part of a combination supplement, not fucoxanthin alone.
Despite this, fucoxanthin supplements are often marketed as powerful “fat burners” and sold at a premium.
→ The science doesn't currently justify those claims or the price. More well-controlled human trials are needed to determine whether fucoxanthin itself meaningfully affects body weight.
Food Sources of Fucoxanthin
Fucoxanthin is concentrated in brown seaweeds, including:
🌊 Wakame
Commonly used in miso soup and seaweed salads.
🌿 Kombu
A brown kelp commonly used to make Japanese dashi broth.
🥢 Hijiki
A dark brown seaweed traditionally used in Japanese dishes.
The amount of fucoxanthin can vary substantially depending on the seaweed species, growing conditions, and processing.
Try fucoxanthin in the kitchen! Our new recipe is packed with fucoxanthin from Hijiki seaweed.
Don’t miss this weeks youtube video with our mascot Dr. Angio bringing complex health and research topics to life.
Best wishes,
- The Angiogenesis Foundation
P.S. Like what you’re reading? Support our mission to advance research and share science-backed health insights.
Make a donation to the Angiogenesis Foundation today.
Check out the Angiogenesis Foundation Green Tea from Harney & Sons to support your vascular health.
Replace 16 supplements in one daily drink.
David Beckham. Giannis Antetokounmpo. Aryna Sabalenka. Inter Miami CF. The world's best choose IM8 because performance starts with what you do every day.
Daily Ultimate Essentials and Longevity deliver a complete, clinically formulated system for energy, digestion, sleep, focus and healthy aging. In a 12-week randomized controlled trial, 95% felt a boost in daily energy, 85% felt less bloated with better digestion, 80% reported better sleep and 75% reported sharper focus and mental clarity.
IM8 is NSF Certified for Sport, tested against 280+ banned substances and recommended by 300+ clinicians. With 50 million servings sold across 46 countries, discover the IM8 routine trusted at the highest levels of sport—and built for everyday life. See the clinical results.
