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Brown seaweed fights off cancer cells?

Page last modified on: October 14, 2008
Question from BriteS: Do you have any information on brown seaweed (algae) such as a product called 'Fucoidan,' which is a potent antioxidant said to be beneficial in fighting off cancer cells? It's popular in Japan.
Answer —Gary Deng, M.D., Ph.D.: The antioxidant effect is not anything special about brown seaweed, because there are so many other things that contain more antioxidant activity. Brown seaweed extract contains mucopolysaccharides which in the laboratory tests have been shown to stimulate certain parts of the immune system. But they do not have a direct effect against cancer cells. Their safety record is pretty good as long as the product is made under good quality control process.

On Wednesday, July 18, 2007, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Vitamins and Herbal Supplements. Gary Deng, M.D., Ph.D. and moderator Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. answered your questions about how to safely and sensibly incorporate vitamins and supplements into your diet.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Gary Deng, M.D., Ph.D. is an internist and researcher with the Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He is a principal investigator or co-principal investigator in several NIH-funded research projects in the Integrative Medicine Service.

Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S.Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a general surgeon. Her clinical practice is located at Holy Redeemer Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center.

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