紅藻抽出物對關節炎的患者會降低對非類固醇消炎藥的需求

一份實驗結果指出含天然多種礦物質的原料--紅藻抽出物可以幫助骨質疏鬆症患者減輕非類固醇消炎藥(NSAID)的需求。患有骨質疏鬆症的病人每日攝取愛爾蘭Marigot 海藻鈣可以降低對非類固醇消炎藥的需求，並可以增進膝關節的活動性。縱使海藻鈣對骨質疏鬆症的病人無法完全替代非類固醇消炎藥的功效，然而海藻鈣可以減輕病人對非類固醇消炎藥的需求，並有長遠性的健康幫助，例如服用非類固醇消炎藥所產生的副作用。非類固醇消炎藥是一種很普遍的藥用處方箋，最常見的副作用是腸胃毒性(例如腸胃不適和肝毒)，血壓上升，和心臟血管疾病的併發症。非類固醇消炎藥對骨關節炎的患者來說，不僅僅可以幫助他們減輕疼痛，更可以幫助他們減輕對日常生活上的不便。這份初步的研究報告不外乎在關節發炎的研究上對Aquamin做了個很有力的證據。當22個患有膝關節炎的患者隨意的服用Aquamin (2400mg/天)與安慰劑12周後，發現在第2周後患者減輕了50%的非類固醇消炎藥的使用，並在4周後完全的不使用非類固醇消炎藥。並更進一步的發現到在一個月之後，服用Aquamin患者的實驗病人可以有較大的膝關節活動。

Aquamin是由多種礦物質還有許多無法辨別的有效成份組成。一些在Aquamin裡的礦物質有抗發炎還有抗氧化的作用。鈣質是在Aquamin裡主要的礦物質，而在這份研究中所使用從紅藻萃出物的劑量是可以提供80%的美國每日推薦攝取量。再進一步的解釋，紅藻萃出物(Aquamin)除了鈣與鎂外還包含了70幾種微量礦物質所以很難去跟其它的原料去比較它的功效。

Red seaweed extract may cut NSAIDs need for arthritis sufferer

A natural, multi-mineral ingredient derived from the red seaweed Lithothamnion Corallioides may allow osteoarthritis sufferers to reduce their use of NSAIDs by 50 per cent, say the results of a new pilot study.

Daily doses of Marigot’s Aquamin ingredient allowed patients with osteoarthritis of the knee to partially withdraw their use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), while also producing improvements in the range of motion of the knee, and during walking exercises.

The study, published in the open access Nutrition Journal and funded by Irish company Marigot, builds on previous studies indicating benefits for bone health.

“Aquamin cannot entirely replace NSAIDs […] for osteoarthritis,” wrote the researchers, led by Joy Frestedt from Frestedt Incorporated in Minnesota. “However, Aquamin may allow for a reduced need for NSAIDs which may have substantial health benefits including a reduction in many of the adverse and well documented side effects of NSAIDS.”

Some NSAIDs, which are among the most frequently prescribed medications worldwide, have been linked with gastrointestinal toxicity, increased blood pressure, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

“NSAIDs are a daily necessity for many osteoarthritis sufferers to control pain and allow them to carry out their everyday activities,” said David O’Leary, commercial manager at Marigot. “These preliminary results are another feather in the cap for Aquamin, which has been the subject of a number of positive recent studies in the area of joint health and inflammation.”

Approximately seven million people in the UK alone are reported to have long-term health problems associated with arthritis. Around 206 million working days were lost in the UK in 1999-2000, equal to £18 billion (€26 billion) of lost productivity.

Study details

Frestedt and her co-workers recruited 22 people with an average age of 62.7 and moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the knee. The volunteers were randomly assigned to receive either the red seaweed extract (Aquamin, 2400 mg/d) or placebo for up to 12 weeks.

After two weeks the use of NSAID was reduced to 50 per cent at two weeks and eliminated completely at four weeks.

Fourteen volunteers completed the study, and no significant changes were observed in scored on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) pain, function and stiffness subscales.

However, after one month of supplementation with the red seaweed extract people in the Aquamin group demonstrated a higher range of motion for the knee.

Furthermore, in the six minute walking test, the Aquamin group demonstrated an improvement of 45.7 metres (150 feet), compared to only 3.8 metres (12.5 feet).

“These results indicate Aquamin has the potential to help manage osteoarthritis symptoms when NSAID use is reduced to 50 per cent,” wrote the researchers.

6 MWD (150 ± 48 ft vs. 12.5 ± 31.5 ft; difference, 136 ± 57 ft, p = 0.03) in the Aquamin group compared to the placebo group; respectively, following a 50% reduction in NSAID use. The treatments were well tolerated and the adverse event profiles were not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusion: This small preliminary study suggests Aquamin may increase range of motion and walking distances in subjects with OA of the knee and may allow partial withdrawal of NSAIDs over 12 weeks of treatment. Additional research is needed to confirm these preliminary observations

Active ingredients

“Aquamin is composed of multiple minerals and the 'active ingredient' for the complex is difficult to determine,” wrote Frestedt in the Nutrition Journal. “A number of the minerals in Aquamin may have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties which might directly and/or indirectly influence the efficacy of this unique complex.”

Calcium is reportedly the main mineral present, and at the dose used in this study the red seaweed extract would provide 80 per cent the US RDA. Important concentrations of magnesium, manganese, and selenium were also quoted by the researchers as potentially playing an active role.

Specifically, the extract contains 74 trace minerals. The red seaweed is harvested off the coast of Ireland and Iceland.

資料來源：Nutrition Journal
2009, 8:7
“A natural seaweed derived mineral supplement (Aquamin F) for knee osteoarthritis: A randomised, placebo controlled pilot study”
Authors: J.L. Frestedt, M.A. Kuskowski, J.L. Zenk