Ecklonia Cava Extract – A Unique Marine Antioxidant
Ecklonia Cava Extract, or ECE, is a standardized series of molecules that originate from Ecklonia cava, a specific species of brown algae. Ecklonia Cava Extract represents a unique variety of polyphenols known as phlorotannins, which have a unique structure that promotes biological activities not obtained from land-based plants.
Not only does Ecklonia Cava Extract have a very high antioxidant (ORAC) score, 8,300 mol TE/100g, it is unique among antioxidants. First, it has a very long lifetime in the bloodstream compared to other antioxidants - up to 12 hours. It also shows fat solubility of 40%, which lets its effects on the body to be universal. Ecklonia Cava Extract is believed to be 10 to 100 times more powerful than green tea extract in free-radical scavenging abililty, due to its unique structure.
Ecklonia Cava Extract has been called a "SuperAntioxidant." What is so special about this substance to warrant this label? First, it has a unique structure that makes it especially good at scavenging free radicals in the body. ECE has up to eight interconnecting rings; the catechins in green tea extract have only four. Also, it has the special ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.
Peroxynitrite is believed to be a dangerous free radical that ECE is especially good at neutralizing. Peroxynitrite has been linked to everything from chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia to multiple chemical sensitivities, and many more conditions. ECE also contains important inflammatory mediators, and has demonstrated neutralizing abilities towards oxidized LDL cholesterol particles.
In a study done on a group of established fibromyalgia patients, ECE showed great promise. This 8-week double-blind placebo-controlled study showed that participants fell asleep faster, and their overall sleep time was increased. They also reported greater energy levels, improved soundness of sleep, more good days per week, improvement in general condition, and a reduction in pain.
Ecklonia Cava Extract also shows promise in aiding in weight loss and fighting obesity. ECE reduced body fat and increased physical activity in obese laboratory rats. In a study of young adults given an ECE-containing beverage, they reported increased muscle mass and lowered body fat. It also has been shown to contain compounds capable of promoting healthy cholesterol levels, providing cardiovascular protection, and scavenging free radicals in the bloodstream.
Improvements in brain function have also been demonstrated with subjects given Ecklonia Cava Extract - notably, memory, relaxation, and alertness. It has been shown to increase blood flow in the carotid artery, increase alpha waves in the brain, and prevent sleepiness during daytime activities. Ecklonia Cava Extract has been shown to protect neural cells and enhance brain activity in regions related to memory formation. In a rat study, Ecklonia Cava Extract inhibited beta-amyloid formation in the brain, a substance which accumulates in Alzheimer's disease.
Many other benefits of ECE have been studied. The unique compounds in Ecklonia Cava Extract have been shown to aid with a variety of conditions, such as arthritis, inflammation, allergies, asthma, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes. As this fascinating substance continues to be researched, even more benefits may reveal themselves.