Since ancient times, algae have been known and recorded to have pharmacological functions in China’s most ancient medical history books; the “Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic”. The book mentions the applications of brown algae Sargasso for the treatment of cancer.

In 1913, Prof. Kaelin of Uppsala University in Sweden discovered slimy seaweed ingredients, which was initially named Fucoidin, but later it was named Fucoidan (Chinese medical name is brown algae gum sugar), according to the IUPAC international organization.

Fucoidan is a “slimy ingredient” extracted from brown seaweed, such as those from the wakame kelp leaves or spores. It is a water-soluble dietary fiber. In chemical definition, Fucoidan is a polysaccharide polymer. Its main ingredient is sulfated-fucose. Besides Fucose, the composition further comprises a sugar chain Fucoidan galactose, mannose, xylose and uronic acids. Fucoidan is a generic term, and consists of the main component of a complex molecular polysaccharide fucose. It does not denote a particular physical structure.

Today, after years of extensive research and active study on Fucoidan, the medical researchers and scientists have investigated and revealed various effective bioactive functions such as anti-cancer effect, reduce cholesterol level, lower blood pressure and antiviral activity.