Carrageenan

Presentation Slides

Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Carrageenan, a common food additive, potentially exacerbates Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) symptoms by altering gut microbiota, inducing intestinal permeability, and triggering inflammation.

2024 Nutrients Carrageenan in the Diet: Friend or Foe for Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Kimilu N, Gładyś-Cieszyńska K, Pieszko M, Mańkowska-Wierzbicka D, Folwarski M

Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Carrageenan, a common food additive, has dual aspects, being both useful in drug delivery and food printing, while potentially harmful via inducing intestinal inflammatory conditions.

2024 Nutrients Carrageenan as a Potential Factor of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Komisarska P, Pinyosinwat A, Saleem M, Szczuko M

Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Randomised Controlled Trial

Carrageenan intake can lead to an earlier relapse in patients with ulcerative colitis who are in remission.

2017 Nutrition and Healthy Aging A randomized trial of the effects of the no-carrageenan diet on ulcerative colitis disease activity
Bhattacharyya S, Shumard T, Xie H, Dodda A, Varady KA, Feferman L, Halline AG, Goldstein JL, Hanauer SB, Tobacman JK

Executive Summary

Write an executive summary in the form of a blog article on the topic of "Research into Chinese medicine treatment for Carrageenan" summarising the research below and using language that can be easily understood by patients and avoiding medical jargon using a professional and caring tone of voice.

Write an executive summary in the form of a blog article on the topic of "Researched Chinese medicine treatments for Carrageenan" summarising the research below in an objective and easy to understand way, and using language that can be easily understood by patients. Group the article into Chinese medicine treatments first, followed by nutrition and other treatments. Avoid using medical jargon and use a professional and caring tone of voice.

Write me a concise but easy to understand executive summary on the topic of "Chinese medicine treatments for Carrageenan" based on the following research that I will give you. Your summary should be 2 paragraphs long in Australian English spelling and include references to the studies.

A published in 2024 in the journal Nutrients found that Carrageenan, a common food additive, potentially exacerbates Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) symptoms by altering gut microbiota, inducing intestinal permeability, and triggering inflammation. The study involved a comprehensive literature review, where the researchers carried out an in-depth analysis of past studies evaluating carrageenan's impact on gut health, particularly in relation to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Using predefined search terms, they scoured medical and scientific databases, MEDLINE and SCOPUS. They considered research focusing on carrageenan's effect on the gut microbiota, intestinal permeability, inflammatory processes, its relationship with cancer, and its role as a food additive in the context of autoimmune diseases. The review divulged that degraded carrageenan, as used in animal studies, appeared to promote intestinal ulceration and inflammation, suggesting a potential risk in exacerbating IBD. Additionally, carrageenan also appeared to disrupt gut microbiota, reducing bacterial diversity therein, and increased intestinal permeability, which in turn could possibly contribute to 'leaky gut' syndrome. Interestingly, some studies suggested a possible anti-cancer effect, since carrageenan might inhibit the growth of cancer cells by affecting cell cycle progression. Besides, the additive seemed to elevate glucose intolerance and insulin resistance.

A published in 2024 in the journal Nutrients found that Carrageenan, a common food additive, has dual aspects, being both useful in drug delivery and food printing, while potentially harmful via inducing intestinal inflammatory conditions. This study investigates the dual roles of carrageenan, a naturally occurring polysaccharide. It is used in creating edible films and encapsulating drugs, and has potential uses in food printing. Moreover, it can regulate the composition of intestinal microflora, including promoting the increase of Bifidobacterium bacteria. The research shines a light on the harmful side of carrageenan as well by focusing on its interactive effects with intestinal microflora, mucous barrier, and proinflammatory pathways. The study reveals that carrageenan negatively alters intestinal microflora, triggering a breakdown of the mucus barrier, leading to an inflammatory response. This response occurs due to activation of the pro-inflammatory nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer pathway in the epithelial cells, likely via the mechanism of TLR4 receptor activation, alteration in macrophage activity, production of proinflammatory cytokines, and activation of innate immune pathways. Carrageenan's influence also led to increased levels of Bacteroidetes bacteria, alongside reducing short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, ultimately damaging the integrity of the intestinal membrane and reducing the mucin layer. The study finds that those with intestinal inflammation disorders, like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are particularly vulnerable to these harmful effects.

A Randomised Controlled Trial published in 2017 in the journal Nutrition and Healthy Aging found that Carrageenan intake can lead to an earlier relapse in patients with ulcerative colitis who are in remission. In the methods employed, a clinical trial was carried out to determine if ulcerative colitis patients could avoid or defer relapse by following a diet devoid of carrageenan. Participants were educated about the no-carrageenan diet, and then divided into two groups - one receiving capsules containing carrageenan and the other receiving placebo capsules. The amount of carrageenan in the capsules was less than the average daily dietary intake. Relapses were defined by a rise of two or more points on the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index and the need for enhanced ulcerative colitis treatment. Over the course of a year, participants were monitored every two weeks via phone calls. In the research results, it was found that out of twelve patients, those who ingested carrageenan capsules had a higher relapse rate. Notably, none of those who took the placebo experienced a relapse. The group exposed to carrageenan exhibited increased levels of inflammation indicators - the Interleukin-6 and the fecal calprotectin biomarkers - by the end of their participation in the study. There was no such increase observed in the placebo group.

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