An active nutrition future?
Scientific research is increasingly suggesting a future for fucoidan in the active nutrition category.
A new Australian clinical study has investigated the effects of fucoidan supplementation in healthy adults undertaking a resistance training program. The double-blind placebo-controlled trial found that fucoidan significantly increased peak power, relative peak power and lean body mass. Fucoidan supplementation also effected body composition, resulting in a significant decrease in body fat.
The study utilised a blend of two high purity fucoidan extracts derived from the brown seaweeds Undaria pinnatifida and Fucus vesiculosus. Both fucoidan extracts were produced by Marinova.
Previous animal studies utilising high purity fucoidans produced by Marinova have shown enhanced exercise performance, improved muscle function and modulation of gut microbiota (Yang 2024); increased muscle size and strength (McBean 2021), and protective effects against heat induced loss of muscle strength (Kucewicz 2025). A previous pilot clinical study also demonstrated fucoidans promote the secretion of anti-microbial peptides in high performance athletes and may contribute to the regulation of mucosal inflammation (Cox 2020).
The researchers noted that fucoidans continue to receive attention for their potential benefits to both skeletal muscle health and muscle strength. They concluded that ‘fucoidan supplementation during resistance training may provide a viable strategy for enhancing muscle anaerobic performance as well as improving metabolism and body composition.’
The paper, ‘Investigating fucoidan blend supplementation and resistance training in humans: a parallel randomised controlled design’ was published in the journal Scientific Reports.