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AGEL UMI
Agel's newest product, UMI, offers a vast array of health benefits that have only really been appreciated by coastal communities with abundant access to brown seaweed. The active ingredient in UMI is Fucoidan, which is a component of brown seaweed. For centuries, brown seaweed has been considered a natural source of healthy food and nutrition. But, it has only been recently that further research has identified Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide, as the true source of the health and wellness benefits of this oceanic wonder. Fucoidan has piqued the interest of many scientists and researchers as one of the ocean's greatest treasures. However, as scientists have continued to explore this complex molecule, more and more of its health benefits have been identified.
Fucoidan is like a closely guarded secret kept by those coastal societies that have enjoyed the wonderful health benefits of the Fucoidan polysaccharide for centuries.
With Agel UMI, the secret is out. This new gelceutical that delivers Fucoidan in a good tasting gel brings the amazing health benefits of this potent polysaccharide to the rest of the world where seaweed is not a common part of the every day diet. It is encouraging that now everybody can enjoy healthier living as a result of Agel UMI.
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Agel Professional Advisory Board
Agel UMI Benefits
In many parts of the world, seaweed is not a regular part of the daily diet. In fact, there are many people who would not even consider eating seaweed. However, with Agel UMI, the exceptional health benefits of this oceanic treasure are now available to the masses. So, what is it about the brown seaweed that is so extraordinary? Through extensive research, scientists have identified a complex sulfated polysaccharide, called fucoidan as the active ingredient. Its primary makeup consists of an essential sugar called fucose along with other elements such as xylose, mannose, and galactose, and glucose. Studies consistently show that fucoidan possesses a wide range of properties beneficial to maintaining optimal health.
One of the primary ways in which Fucoidan provides a vast array of health benefits is its ability to interact with, and modulate the immune system. Several studies have identified many of the immune modulating effects of Fucoidan. The ability of a substance to modulate the immune system is an extremely useful property. Modulation is a term used to describe the process of reducing the extremes of cellular activity – either stimulation or inhibition. Immune modulating substances have the ability to increase immune function when it is depressed, such as in conditions like chronic fatigue, and then to reduce it when it is over-stimulated, such as in auto-immune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. |
Most immune modulating agents work by improving inter-cellular communication. One way cells interact and communicate is by presenting glycoproteins on their surface. Glycoproteins are complex information-rich macromolecules composed of a protein core to which is bound arrays of linked saccharides or sugars (polysaccharides). The structures of the saccharides vary and therefore relay different codes for different messages. For example, one message might tell a cell to secrete a specific cellular product, and another message might tell a cell when to divide. Other cells have corresponding glycoprotein receptor molecules, which can then read these messages and respond accordingly. Thus, our bodies are involved in a very sophisticated and harmonious intercellular communication all the time.
The immune system depends heavily on this kind of communication to co-ordinate cellular defense, apoptosis, cell attack and repair processes. When any of the range of saccharides required to build competent glycoproteins (and thereby convey an accurate message) are missing, the quality of that communication is compromised. It has been shown that dietary supply of certain saccharides improves the integrity of glycoprotein production. Fucoidans provide an abundant supply of Fucose, one of the necessary saccharides, and smaller amounts of several other required sugars. This is likely to be one mechanism by which the fucoidans exert their immunomodulatory effect.
Now, with this understanding of glycoprotiens, and intercellular communication, let’s specifically identify the ways in which Fucoidan has been shown to be of significant benefit for health and wellness.
Regenerate Cells and Increase Life Span
Much of the research that has been done on fucoidan has been focused on its ability to regenerate cells. Studies have shown that fucoidan helps support mobilization of stem cells that enable the body to replace dead cells thereby enabling tissue and organ regeneration. In addition, fucoidan helps slow symptoms of the aging process. In study after study, fucoidan has shown itself to be beneficial in the fight for a longer, healthier life.
Support the Circulatory System & Health Functions
Fucoidan has also been shown to help maintain healthy blood flow and cardiac functions—thereby supporting the circulatory system. Increased blood flow helps all of our organs work more efficiently and helps us to feel better and healthier.8 Efficient functioning of our vital organs can help us prolong the effects of “wear and tear” of the normal aging process. Additionally, one study suggested that fucoidan helps to slow the absorption rate of glucose, or sugar, into the blood stream. A slower absorption rate leads to a more regulated blood sugar level.
Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels
The process of cholesterol formation is in the liver. Our bodies produce a “good” cholesterol (HDL) and a “bad” cholesterol (LDL). Optimum health is achieved when we can maintain lower levels of the LDL, and sufficient levels of the HDL. There is some evidence to suggest that fucoidan can help us to maintain healthy levels of cholesterol by influencing the metabolic activity in the liver where fatty acids are processed. In addition, because fucoidan is a dietary fiber, it absorbs cholesterols contained in foods allowing them to be discharged from the body. This suppresses cholesterol elevations related to dietary intake of foods high in cholesterol.
Help Support Healthy Joint Functions
For many of us in the United States and throughout the world, healthy joints and cartilage are daily concerns. Arthritis and joint pain can be a bothersome and sometimes debilitating. Among its many properties, fucoidan has been hailed as a natural answer to joint health. Fucoidan supports proper joint functions and cartilage health by modulating some of our body’s inflammatory and immune processes.
Assist in Inducing the Elimination of Harmful Cells
Fucoidan may also prove helpful in eliminating harmful cells, including those that are related to some cancers. This is accomplished through a process called apoptosis. Apoptosis is technical term for the process of a cell “bursting” and therefore dying. Sulphated polysaccharides like fucoidan have been shown to assist in inducing apoptosis, which is a natural process where living organisms eliminate harmful cells and render the genetic blueprint (DNA) of harmful cells useless. Additionally, some research suggests that fucoidan may have an effect on cancer growth by suppressing the generation of new blood vessels around cancer cells, cutting off their nutrient supply.
Help Maintain a Strong Immune System
Fucoidan supports the immune system in a number of different ways. Some research suggests that it may cause an increase in the number of circulating mature white blood cells in the body, which are an integral part of the body’s natural immune system.17 The findings from other studies suggest that fucoidan supports the immune system by improving phagocytosis and activating other important immune responses. These processes act together to destroy bacteria, viruses and other foreign particles by multiple blood “scavenger” cells.
Promotes Optimal Gastrointestinal Health
The number of people suffering from gastric diseases is rapidly increasing around the world as more and more people are consuming foods with more fat content and less dietary fiber. Once in the stomach, fucoidan attaches to the stomach lining where it has a protective effect. In addition, it stimulates the stomach lining to regulate the inflammatory process and also to “self-repair” damaged tissue. Fucoidan, because of its immune promoting and inflammation modulating activity, is a tremendous aid in maintaining proper gastrointestinal function and health.
Increase Energy & Support Respiratory Functions
Fucoidan supports immunological abilities by assisting the body in the production of interferon-Y and interleukin-12 while supporting normal respiratory functions.
Detoxify the Body and Help Rid The Body of Free Radicals
The deleterious effect of free radicals on our bodies is well documented. The beneficial effect of antioxidants in helping to neutralize the oxidative stresses placed upon our organs and metabolic processes is also very clear. Fucoidan has a long list of health and wellness properties, not the least of which is that it also is a rich supply of antioxidants.
Promotes Kidney Health
The kidneys serve as the “waste disposal system” for our bodies. Therefore, the proper function of our kidneys is vital to our overall health and wellbeing. There are numerous studies in the literature to suggest that fucoidan may play a significant roll in maintaining optimal kidney function.
Supports Vibrant Health & Vitality
Fucoidan supports the body against “complement activation” believed to play an adverse role in chronic degenerative symptoms like atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, alzheimer’s disease and other conditions associated with aging.
The literature is plentiful supporting the fact that fucoidan is a valuable resource for maintaining optimal health. The brown algae harvested from the earth’s ocean are truly one of the most valuable gifts of the great deep. And Agel has harnessed this power into a single gelceutical—UMI.
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