Carrageenan

Related Terms

Algae, algal polysaccharides, anhydrogalactose, bejin behan (Breton), bejin gwenn (Breton), Betaphycus gelatinum, blomkalstang (Danish), botelho crespo (Portuguese), bouch (Breton), bouch farad youd (Breton), bouch gad (Breton), bouch gwenn (Breton), bouchouno? (Breton), cairgin (Gaelic), Callophyllis hombroniana, caragaen, caragahen, carragaheen, carrageen, carrageen moss, carrageenin, carrageentang (Danish), carragheen, carragh?en (French), carragheenan, Carraguard?, carraig?n (Irish), carrapucho (Galician), Chondrus crispus, chondrus extract, Chondrus mamillosus, cl?imh?n cait (Irish), cl?imh?n caitcarraig?n (Irish), cottonii, creba (Galician), curly gristle moss, curly moss, Dorset weed, Dragendorff, driesflik (Norwegian), Eucheuma cottonii, Eucheuma denticulatum, Eucheuma gelatinae, Eucheuma spp., Eucheuma spinosum, fiadh?in (Irish), fj?rugr?s (Icelandic), folha de alface (Portuguese), folhina (Portuguese), fuco carageo, fuco crispo (Italian), Fucus crispus Linn?, galactopyranose, galactose 4-sulphate, gelatintang (Norwegian), Gigartina acicularis, Gigartina canaliculata, Gigartina mamillosa, Gigartina pistillata, Gigartina skottsbergii, Gigartina stellata, Gigartinaceae (family), Gigartinales, go?mon blanc (French), go?mon fries (French), go?mon rouge (French), hirakotoji (Japanese), Hypnea musciformis, Iers mos (Dutch), iota carrageenan, Iridaea ciliata, Iridaea ciliate, Iridaea laminaroides, Irish moss extract, Irl?ndischer Perltang (German), Irl?ndisches Moos (German), Irlandsk mos (Danish), jargod (Breton), jelly moss, Kallymeniaceae, kappa carrageenan, Kappaphycus alvarezii, Kappaphycus cottonii, Kappaphycus striatum, karragaheen (German), karrageentari (Faroese), karragen (Turkish), karragenalg (karragentang) (Swedish), Killeen, knorpeltang (German), krusflik (Norwegian), lambda carrageenan, lambda-carrageenan, Lamouroux, lichen, liken ruz (Breton), liquen (Spanish), marine algae, Mastocarpus mamillosus K?tzing, Mastocarpus stellatus, mathair an diulisg (Gaelic), Mazzaella laminaroides, mousse d'irlande, mousse marine perl?e (French), mousse perl?e (French), mu carrageenan, muschio irlandese (Italian), musco d'lrlanda (Italian), musgo de Irlanda (Spanish), musgo gordo (Portuguese), musgo marino (Spanish), musgo marino perlado (Spanish), musgo perlado (Spanish), mwsog Iwerddon (Welsh), nu carrageenan, ouca riza (Galician), ougnachou-ru (Breton), pata de gali?a (Galician), PC 213, PC-503, pearl moss, perimoos, perlmoos (German), petit go?mon (French), Phacelocarpus peperocarpos, pigwiacis, pioka (Breton), poligeenan, red algae, red seaweed, Rhodophyceae, Rhodophyta, Rhodophytaa, Sarcothalia crispate, Sarcothalia crispate, sea moss, seamuisin, seaweed, seaweed extract, Sphaerococcus crispus Agardh, Sphaerococcus mamillosus Agardh, spinosum, stackhouse, teil piko (Breton), teles (Breton), theta carrageenan, tilez (Breton), tochaka (Japanese), tsunomata (Japanese), upsilon carrageenan, vaginal gel, white wrack.

Background

Carrageenans are carbohydrates extracted from red seaweeds (such as Irish moss) and other sources. Irish moss grows around Ireland, as well as other coasts in Europe, and the Atlantic coasts of the United States. The Irish moss popularly used as a ground cover (Sagina subulata) is not the same as the Irish moss discussed in this monograph (Chondrus crispus).
Traditionally, carrageenan has been taken by mouth to soothe mucous membranes and as a laxative. Extracts of carrageenan have been used as food additives for hundreds of years. Carrageenan is currently used as a thickener and stabilizer for a wide range of foods, and is also used in personal hygiene products and drugs.
Carrageenan may lower lipid (cholesterol and triglyceride) and blood sugar levels. Although not well studied in humans, carrageenan-based gels may help prevent HIV transmission.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Although not well studied in humans, carrageenan-based gels may prevent HIV transmission during sexual intercourse. Overall, studies suggest that carrageenan may be safe for use by males and females. High quality clinical study is needed to confirm these early results.

 C


Although not well studied in humans, carrageenan-based gels may prevent HIV transmission during sexual intercourse. Overall, studies suggest that carrageenan may be safe for use by males and females. High quality clinical study is needed to confirm these early results.

 C


In clinical study, a diet containing carrageenan-enriched foods lowered cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Further clinical trials are required before carrageenan can be recommended for its lipid-lowering effects.

 C


In clinical study, a diet containing carrageenan-enriched foods lowered cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Further clinical trials are required before carrageenan can be recommended for its lipid-lowering effects.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
Traditionally, carrageenan is taken by mouth as a tea after it is boiled and flavored.
For lipid lowering, carrageenan-enriched foods have been taken for eight weeks.
For HIV prevention, 5 milliliters of carrageenan gel has been applied inside the vagina for seven days; one application a minimum of three times per week has also been used.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Carrageenan may impair absorption of drugs taken by mouth.
Carrageenan may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Carrageenan may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Carrageenan may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in patients taking drugs that lower blood pressure.
Carrageenan may increase inflammation or affect the immune system. Caution is advised in patients taking drugs that stimulate or suppress the immune system.
Carrageenan applied vaginally may increase side effects of other vaginal drugs.
Carrageenan may add to the effects of cholesterol lowering agents, anti-cancer agents, HIV drugs, antiviral drugs, eye medications, azoxymethane, nitrosomethylurea, and azidodeoxythymidine (AZT).

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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