In my previous blog, I discussed fucoidan and diabetes, however, in this blog, I will be discussing fucoidan and glucose level in detail.

Glucose level is a key judge in determining whether diabetes is present or not. According to WebMD, the normal blood sugar level is less than 100mg/dl, when you don’t consume anything for at least 8 hours and is less than 140 mg/dl, 2 hours after consumption. Doctors conduct a number of tests, even if they have a shred of doubt regarding the presence of diabetes, which include “fasting plasma glucose test”, when the blood sugar level is higher than 126 mg/dl after fasting for 8 hours, “oral glucose tolerance test”, where you get a special sugary drink and 2 hours after its consumption, the sugar level is higher than 200 mg/dl. Next is “random check” where if you are urinating more than usual, are always feeling thirsty and have gained or lost a significant amount of weight, the blood sugar level is higher than 200 mg/dl.

Never the less, these tests can help doctors identify the presence of diabetes. In my opinion, a person should avoid getting diabetes altogether. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are 4 ways to prevent diabetes:

1) Be physically active; as research has shown aerobic exercise and resistance training can help control diabetes.

2) Consume plenty of foods rich in fiber like fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains and nuts. Moreover, in my opinion, fucoidan also contains water soluble fiber.

3) Lose extra weight; when you lose around 7% of your initial body weight, the risk of developing diabetes falls by almost 60%.

4) You should avoid fad diets and make healthier choices: if for example, you do extreme dieting, you may lose essential nutrients and end up craving foods. Instead, make a healthy eating plan with variety and portions. If you exercise regularly and pay attention to what you consume, the blood sugar level will be contained. Moreover, fucoidan also has been known to suppress increase in blood sugar level.

A research was conducted by Xiao-Dong Yang et al., the researchers randomly assigned 4 groups: a normal rat model group, diabetic group, diabetic group treated with (50 mg/kg) fucoidan and a group treated with (100 mg/kg) fucoidan. The result showed that the group treated with (100 mg/kg) fucoidan exhibited an inhibitory effect on the level of oxidative stress and it also promoted the activity of SOD (inducing oxidative stress). Moreover, It also exhibited an inhibitory effect on the dietetic increase in the level of FBG (Fasting Blood Glucose).

Therefore, with the result of my analysis, I believe that taking fucoidan regularly can help decrease glucose level.