What is Ecklonia Cava Extract powder?

Ecklonia cava is an edible marine brown alga species found in the ocean off Japan and Korea. It is used as an herbal remedy in the form of an extract called Seanol, a polyphenolic extract, and Ventol, a phlorotannin-rich natural agent.

Ecklonia cava extract powder is marine plant species that are derived from edible brown algae harvested from the waters off the south western coastline of Japan, Korea and south eastern coastline of China. Their molecular structures are very similar in terms of natural occurring constituents.

Scientific name: Ecklonia cava

Phylum: Ochrophyta

Higher classification: Ecklonia

Order: Kelp

Rank: Species

Family: Lessoniaceae

The benefits of Ecklonia Cava Extract powder?

It maintains healthy blood pressure by inhibiting the activity of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), which plays a key role in regulating blood pressure. According to one study, the main phlorotannins responsible for this effect are: phloroglucinol, triphlorethol-A, eckol, eckstolonol, dieckol and phlorofucofuroeckol (PFF).

Its action is similar to that of certain “anti-ACE” fish peptides (sardine, herring, and mackerel) which also restrict production of a powerful vasoconstrictor, angiotensin II, thus maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.

It improves blood viscosity by balancing plasmin and reduces oxidation of LDL-cholesterol, one of the most specific risk factors for atherogenesis. It maintains flexibility of the arterial wall, improving circulation within blood vessels by more than 50% in six weeks.

As mentioned, the phlorotannins in Ecklonia cava are able to cross the blood-brain barrier with ease. Studies have demonstrated that they increase the concentration of acetylcholine in the brain by inhibiting cholinesterase, in a similar way to huperzine-A. Ecklonia cava thus helps support memory function.

Other research has shown that it reduced the formation of beta-amyloid plaque in the brain - responsible for memory problems in elderly individuals - by 40%. Ecklonia cava also increases alpha brain waves, creating feelings of calm and serenity, in a similar way to L-theanine.