CARRAGEENAN

OTHER NAME(S):

Algas, Algue Rouge Marine, Carageenan Gum, Carastay, Carrageen, Carrageenin, Carragenano, Carragenina, Carragheenan, Carraghénane, Carraghénine, Chondrus Extract, Danish Agar, Eucheuma Spinosum Gum, Extrait de Mousse d'Irlande, Galgarine, Iota-Carrageenan, Irish Moss, Irish Moss Algae, Irish Moss Extract, Irish Moss Gelose, Kappa-Carrageenan, Lambda-Carrageenan, Marine Colloids, Mousse d'Irlande, Norsk Gelatin, PES, Processed Eucheuma Seaweed, Red Marine Algae, Red Seaweed Extract, Vegetable Gelatin.

Overview

Overview Information

Carrageenan is made from parts of various red algae or seaweeds and is used for medicine.

Carrageenan is used for coughs, bronchitis, tuberculosis, and intestinal problems. The French use a form that has been changed by adding acid and high temperatures. This form is used to treat peptic ulcers, and as a bulk laxative.

Some people apply carrageenan directly to the skin for discomfort around the anus.

In manufacturing, carrageenan is used as a binder, thickening agent, and as a stabilizer in medications, foods, and toothpaste. Carrageenan is also an ingredient in weight loss products.

How does it work?

Carrageenan contains chemicals that may decrease stomach and intestinal secretions. Large amounts of carrageenan seem to pull water into the intestine, and this may explain why it is tried as a laxative. Carrageenan also might decrease pain and swelling (inflammation).

Uses

Uses & Effectiveness?

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Common cold. Most research shows that spraying saline with iota-carrageenan into the nose does not reduce common cold symptoms when compared with using a regular saline spray. But not all research agrees.
  • Cough.
  • Bronchitis.
  • Tuberculosis.
  • Weight loss.
  • Constipation.
  • Peptic ulcers.
  • Intestinal problems.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of carrageenan for these uses.

Side Effects

Side Effects & Safety

When taken by mouth: Carrageenan is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth in food amounts. There is also a chemically altered form of carrageenan that is available in France to treat peptic ulcers. This form is POSSIBLY UNSAFE because animal studies have shown that it might cause cancer. But this risk hasn't been shown in humans.

When sprayed into the nose: Carrageenan is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when sprayed into the nose, short-term. No side effects have been reported in clinical research.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Carrageenan is LIKELY SAFE in amounts found in food, but there's not enough information to know if it's safe in the larger amounts that are used as medicine. It's best to stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Bleeding disorders: Carrageenan might slow blood clotting and increase bleeding. In theory, carrageenan might make bleeding disorders worse.

Low blood pressure: Carrageenan might lower blood pressure. In theory, taking carrageenan might make blood pressure become too low in people with low blood pressure.

Surgery: Carrageenan might slow blood clotting and lower blood pressure in some people. In theory, carrageenan might increase the risk for bleeding and interfere with blood pressure control during surgical procedures. Stop using carrageenan at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

Interactions?

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

!

  • Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with CARRAGEENAN

    Carrageenan seems to decrease blood pressure. Taking carrageenan along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low.
    Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.

  • Medications taken by mouth (Oral drugs) interacts with CARRAGEENAN

    Carrageenan is a thick gel. Carrageenan can stick to medications in the stomach and intestines. Taking carrageenan at the same time as medications that you take by mouth can decrease how much medication your body absorbs, and decrease the effectiveness of your medication. To prevent this interaction, take carrageenan at least one hour after medications you take by mouth.

  • Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with CARRAGEENAN

    Carrageenan might slow blood clotting. Taking carrageenan along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
    Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Dosing

Dosing

The appropriate dose of carrageenan depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for carrageenan. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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View References

REFERENCES:

  • Panlasigui, L. N., Baello, O. Q., Dimatangal, J. M., and Dumelod, B. D. Blood cholesterol and lipid-lowering effects of carrageenan on human volunteers. Asia Pac.J.Clin.Nutr. 2003;12(2):209-214. View abstract.
  • Perotti, M. E., Pirovano, A., and Phillips, D. M. Carrageenan formulation prevents macrophage trafficking from vagina: implications for microbicide development. Biol.Reprod. 2003;69(3):933-939. View abstract.
  • Raouf, A. H., Hildrey, V., Daniel, J., Walker, R. J., Krasner, N., Elias, E., and Rhodes, J. M. Enteral feeding as sole treatment for Crohn's disease: controlled trial of whole protein v amino acid based feed and a case study of dietary challenge. Gut 1991;32(6):702-707. View abstract.
  • Tobacman, J. K. Review of harmful gastrointestinal effects of carrageenan in animal experiments. Environ.Health Perspect. 2001;109(10):983-994. View abstract.
  • Tobacman, J. K., Wallace, R. B., and Zimmerman, M. B. Consumption of carrageenan and other water-soluble polymers used as food additives and incidence of mammary carcinoma. Med.Hypotheses 2001;56(5):589-598. View abstract.
  • Watanabe, K., Reddy, B. S., Wong, C. Q., and Weisburger, J. H. Effect of dietary undegraded carrageenan on colon carcinogenesis in F344 rats treated with azoxymethane or methylnitrosourea. Cancer Res. 1978;38(12):4427-4430. View abstract.
  • Whitehead, S. J., Kilmarx, P. H., Blanchard, K., Manopaiboon, C., Chaikummao, S., Friedland, B., Achalapong, J., Wankrairoj, M., Mock, P., Thanprasertsuk, S., and Tappero, J. W. Acceptability of Carraguard vaginal gel use among Thai couples. AIDS 11-14-2006;20(17):2141-2148. View abstract.
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  • European Commission. Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Food on Carrageenan. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/food/sites/food/files/safety/docs/sci-com_scf_out164_en.pdf
  • Fazekas T, Eickhoff P, Pruckner N, et al. Lessons learned from a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled study with a iota-carrageenan nasal spray as medical device in children with acute symptoms of common cold. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012;12:147. View abstract.
  • Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines. 1st ed. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp., 1999.
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  • Ramezanpour M, Murphy J, Smith JLP, Vreugde S, Psaltis AJ. In vitro safety evaluation of human nasal epithelial cell monolayers exposed to carrageenan sinus wash. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2017;7(12):1170-1177. View abstract.
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  • Carlucci, M. J., Scolaro, L. A., and Damonte, E. B. Inhibitory action of natural carrageenans on Herpes simplex virus infection of mouse astrocytes. Chemotherapy 1999;45(6):429-436. View abstract.
  • Carlucci, M. J., Scolaro, L. A., Noseda, M. D., Cerezo, A. S., and Damonte, E. B. Protective effect of a natural carrageenan on genital herpes simplex virus infection in mice. Antiviral Res. 2004;64(2):137-141. View abstract.
  • Coggins, C., Blanchard, K., Alvarez, F., Brache, V., Weisberg, E., Kilmarx, P. H., Lacarra, M., Massai, R., Mishell, D., Jr., Salvatierra, A., Witwatwongwana, P., Elias, C., and Ellertson, C. Preliminary safety and acceptability of a carrageenan gel for possible use as a vaginal microbicide. Sex Transm.Infect. 2000;76(6):480-483. View abstract.
  • Cummins, J. E., Jr., Guarner, J., Flowers, L., Guenthner, P. C., Bartlett, J., Morken, T., Grohskopf, L. A., Paxton, L., and Dezzutti, C. S. Preclinical testing of candidate topical microbicides for anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 activity and tissue toxicity in a human cervical explant culture. Antimicrob.Agents Chemother. 2007;51(5):1770-1779. View abstract.
  • Dumelod, B. D., Ramirez, R. P., Tiangson, C. L., Barrios, E. B., and Panlasigui, L. N. Carbohydrate availability of arroz caldo with lambda-carrageenan. Int.J.Food Sci.Nutr. 1999;50(4):283-289. View abstract.
  • Elias, C. J., Coggins, C., Alvarez, F., Brache, V., Fraser, I. S., Lacarra, M., Lahteenmaki, P., Massai, R., Mishell, D. R., Jr., Phillips, D. M., and Salvatierra, A. M. Colposcopic evaluation of a vaginal gel formulation of iota-carrageenan. Contraception 1997;56(6):387-389. View abstract.
  • Flower, R. J., Harvey, E. A., and Kingston, W. P. Inflammatory effects of prostaglandin D2 in rat and human skin. Br.J Pharmacol. 1976;56(2):229-233. View abstract.
  • Kilmarx, P. H., van de Wijgert, J. H., Chaikummao, S., Jones, H. E., Limpakarnjanarat, K., Friedland, B. A., Karon, J. M., Manopaiboon, C., Srivirojana, N., Yanpaisarn, S., Supawitkul, S., Young, N. L., Mock, P. A., Blanchard, K., and Mastro, T. D. Safety and acceptability of the candidate microbicide Carraguard in Thai Women: findings from a Phase II Clinical Trial. J Acquir.Immune.Defic.Syndr. 11-1-2006;43(3):327-334. View abstract.
  • Maguire, R. A., Bergman, N., and Phillips, D. M. Comparison of microbicides for efficacy in protecting mice against vaginal challenge with herpes simplex virus type 2, cytotoxicity, antibacterial properties, and sperm immobilization. Sex Transm.Dis. 2001;28(5):259-265. View abstract.
  • Ogino, M., Majima, M., Kawamura, M., Hatanaka, K., Saito, M., Harada, Y., and Katori, M. Increased migration of neutrophils to granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in rat carrageenin-induced pleurisy: roles of complement, bradykinin, and inducible cyclooxygenase-2. Inflamm.Res. 1996;45(7):335-346. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2018.