The Chemical Structure and Pharmaceutical Functions on Water-Soluble Dietary Fibers of Seaweeds

Modern diets today, especially in the U.S. are high in refined and processed foods and are often lacking in the necessary dietary fiber. The healing and therapeutic qualities of a diet high in both soluble and insoluble fiber are manifold. Dietary fiber is necessary for clearing the digestive system. Constipation elevates blood pressure so algal dietary fiber can help to lower blood pressure. Algal dietary fiber, in addition to assisting in clearing the digestive system, also protects the surface membrane of the stomach and intestine from potential carcinogens and absorbs various substances such as sodium ions and cholesterol , ultimately to be eliminated. Recent research on experimental animals shows that certain algal acidic polysaccharides do prevent the proliferation of implanted cancer cells, possibly by enhancing the immune system. It has recently been reported that some of them elevate immune activity of cultivating cells when they were treated with some of these polysaccharides.