A significant proportion of men beyond the age of 40 experience BPH, or prostate enlargement. Prevalence increases with age, from approximately 10% of men in their 30s to 90% of men their 80s. The condition is associated with problematic urinary symptoms – including frequent urination, incomplete bladder emptying and increased urgency – that can negatively impact quality-of-life.
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in Research and Reports in Urology found that high purity fucoidan from the seaweed Undaria pinnatifida resulted in statistically and clinically significant improvement in BPH symptoms.
In the 90-day study, 88 men aged between 45 and 80 years with moderate BPH received either the fucoidan supplement or a placebo once daily. In addition to a baseline assessment, participants were assessed at 30, 60 and 90-day intervals.
The trial utilised a validated assessment tool, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) to assess severity and changes in BPH symptoms. The IPSS is used globally to assess lower urinary tract symptoms of bladder emptying, frequency, intermittency, urgency, weak stream, straining and nocturia (waking more than once at night to urinate). The IPSS also includes a quality-of-life assessment based on urinary symptoms.
Results showed significant improvements in BPH symptoms. On day 60 of the trial, double the number of participants in the fucoidan group had achieved a clinically significant improvement in total IPSS compared to those in the placebo group (Figure 1). The difference between the fucoidan and placebo groups remained statistically significant through to the end of the study.
In addition to total IPSS, improvements were also shown in both voiding (a composite score encompassing incomplete emptying, intermittency, weak stream and straining) and storage (a composite score encompassing frequency, urgency, and nocturia) symptoms. Notably, the fucoidan supplement produced a more than nine-fold improvement in voiding symptoms and a two-fold improvement in storage symptoms compared to the placebo.
Quality-of-life related to urinary symptoms also improved significantly and continuously throughout the study for the fucoidan group. The placebo group showed no change in the quality-of-life score (Figure 2).
Figure 2: Mean change in quality-of-life due to urinary symptoms score from baseline over time.
Key strengths of the study included the use of an internationally recognised assessment tool, clinician oversight of participants, and the comprehensive evaluation of outcomes to ascertain clinical relevance.
The high purity Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan utilised in the study was produced by Marinova using a proprietary aqueous extraction process. The same compound has previously been shown to provide immune support, gut and digestive health benefits, and support healthy inflammatory responses. The extract holds FDA-notified GRAS and EU Novel Foods approval.
As brands look for new evidence-based ingredients, the findings pave the way for high purity fucoidan to enter the growing men’s health category.
An overview of the clinical trial is provided in the video below.
