Effects of Palmaria palmata on lipid metabolism and glycemic control in participants with hypercholesterolemia in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

2020-04-03
Phytotherapy research : PTR 34(9)
- Takahiro Takase
- Akinobu Nakamura
- Hideaki Miyoshi
- Minori Koga
- Atsuhito Toyomaki
- Ichiro Kusumi
- Rikako Kino
- Yasuyuki Konishi
- Yoshinobu Kiso
- Tatsuya Atsumi

PubMed: 32242987
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6680

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size: n = 104
Population: Japanese participants with hypercholesterolemia and serum LDL-C ≥120 mg/dL
Methods: 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparison trial; capsules containing P. palmata (2 g/day) or placebo
Blinding: Double-blind
Duration: 8 weeks

Large Human Trial

Background

Red algae have been reported to improve lipid and glucose metabolism in rats. We investigated the effects of Palmaria palmata (P. palmata), a red alga from northern Japan, on lipid metabolism and glycemic control in participants with hypercholesterolemia.

Methods

We conducted an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and parallel-group comparison trial. The study enrolled Japanese participants with a serum low-density protein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥120 mg/dL. The participants were randomly assigned to take either capsules containing P. palmata (2 g/day) or placebo capsules. The primary endpoint was the change in LDL-C from baseline to week 8 and the secondary endpoints were the changes in other lipid parameters and glycemic control.

Results

Of the 104 participants completed the study protocol. There were no significant differences in change in LDL-C, body mass index, waist circumference, or glycemic control between the two groups. However, serum triglyceride showed significantly greater improvement in women in the P. palmata group (-9.0 [-25.0, +5.0]) vs. those in the placebo group (-1.0 [-11.0, +19.0]; p = .03).

Conclusions

The present study did not show that P. palmata had significant effect on serum LDL-C nor glycemic control, but hypertriglyceridemia could be ameliorated by administration of P. palmata in women.

Research Insights

Icelandic Kelp→Reduced Triglyceride Levels
serum triglyceride showed significantly greater improvement in women in the P. palmata group (-9.0 [-25.0, +5.0]) vs. those in the placebo group (-1.0 [-11.0, +19.0]; p = .03)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
2 g/day