Clinical findings: Maritech® Undaria pinnatifida extract for prostate health
In a breakthrough clinical trial, Maritech® Undaria pinnatifida extract has been shown to relieve problematic urinary symptoms commonly associated with ageing. The randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed that daily supplementation with high purity fucoidan relieved lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and improved prostate-related quality-of-life.
The prevalence of LUTS increases with age. Among the common symptoms experienced by men are difficulty passing urine, a weak stream, incomplete bladder emptying, and an increase in the frequency of urination. Resulting sleep disruption, social anxiety, reduced workplace productivity and mental distress can significantly reduce quality-of-life.
Market opportunity:
With approximately 50–60% of men experiencing urinary symptoms by their 60s and 90% of men by their 80s, the global prostate health supplement market is predicted to increase by a CAGR of 9.18% to reach USD 55.8B by 2031. Growth in the men’s health supplement market is being fuelled by an ageing population and adoption of over-the-counter supplements.
To date, very few natural compounds have been clinically studied and shown to support prostate health effectively and safely.
The clinical trial evaluated the effects of Maritech® Undaria pinnatifida extract on men experiencing LUTS. In the 90-day study, 88 men aged between 45 and 80 years received either a daily fucoidan supplement or a placebo. Urinary symptoms were assessed at 30-day intervals. The trial utilised the validated the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) to assess changes in symptoms including 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.
“This was an incredibly rigorous study,” said Marinova’s Research Director, Dr Wimmer. “Not only did it assess the effects of high purity fucoidan supplementation on urinary symptoms, it also determined that the changes were clinically significant.”
Key findings:
Compared to the placebo, participants taking the high purity fucoidan supplement showed:
- Statistically and clinically significant improvements in urinary symptoms
- Significant improvement in total IPSS scores at day 60, further improving at day 90. The difference between the fucoidan and placebo groups remained statistically significant through to the end of the study.
- A more than nine-fold improvement in voiding symptoms (encompassing the symptoms of emptying, intermittency, weak stream and straining)
- A two-fold improvement in storage symptoms (encompassing the symptoms of frequency, urgency and nocturia)
- Improvements in individual symptoms (including straining, emptying, frequency and intermittency)
- A significant improvement in quality-of-life due to urinary symptoms
Importantly, the fucoidan was also shown to be well tolerated and safe throughout the study period.
The study was published in Research and Reports in Urology.
Further study details, including a video overview, are available on Marinova’s website.