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Can seaweed have a positive effect on blood sugar? Do you want to participate to increase knowledge?

Service Category:

Biotechnology

The Laboratory of Geriatrics, Landakot 5L and the Faculty of Food and Nutrition at the University of Iceland are requesting participants in a study that has been approved by the Science Ethics Committee.

  • Participants need to be healthy, adults, 40 years and older. Participants with a body mass index of 30 kg / m2 or higher can participate (see table with calculated body mass index below). Participants who exercise regularly are excluded from participation as well as pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding.
  • Objectives The study is investigating the effect of different doses of bladderwort extract on short-term blood glucose in healthy adults.
  • Participation in the study involves attending three times for two and a half hours blood glucose tests and body measurements. Participants will receive different doses of bladderwort extract along with 50 g of carbohydrates at each arrival. Measurements of body composition, height and weight will be performed. In addition, participants will be asked to provide information on general health.
  • Balloon seaweed (Fucus vesiculosus) is rich in iodine, indigestible starch, salt and bioactive substances. Bladderwort extraction occurs when certain bioactive substances are extracted from the bladderwort and isolated. These bioactive substances are placed in gelatin capsules for easy ingestion. The use of kelp for human consumption is known and research on bioactive substances in kelp both here in Iceland and abroad suggests that kelp extract can have a positive effect on blood sugar control as kelp extract reduces the absorption of carbohydrates in the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Participation is not paid for.

Interested parties who meet the above criteria are asked to have
contact Aníta Sif Elídóttir at 844-7131 or send an e-mail to anitas@landspitali.is


Aníta Sif Elídóttir
 is a nutritionist and an employee of the Faculty of Food and Nutrition at the University of Iceland and assists in the implementation of the research.

The person responsible for the study is Alfons Ramel, Professor at the Faculty of Food and Nutrition, University of Iceland (alfonsra@hi.isphone: 543-9875).

Those who contact the researchers are only expressing an interest in further information and do not undertake to participate.

Table 1 - Minimum weight required to meet body mass index requirements ≥ 30 kg / m2

Height (m)Weight (kg)
1,6077
1,6279
1,6481
1,6683
1,6885
1,7087
1,7289
1,7491
1,7693
1,7895
1,8097,5
1,8299,5
1,84101,5
1,86104
1,88106
1,90108,5
1,92110,5
1,94113
1,96115
1,98118
2,00120

Body mass index is calculated from height and weight according to the formula weight / height2 (kg / m2).

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