Calcium intake is essential for bone health, but young Korean women have low calcium intakes. Seaweeds have high calcium content, which may affect calcium metabolism. Twenty nine females aged 18–39 years with low calcium intake (< 400 mg/day) participated in a 19-day open-label randomized controlled trial. During the first five days, participants adhered to a controlled-feeding protocol followed by a two-week supplementation period in free-living conditions. The treatment group (n = 14) received an additional 200 mg Ca/day through Undaria pinnatifida and Porphyra in meals during the controlled-feeding period, and as U. pinnatifida noodles during days 6–19. Mineral intake (Ca, P, Mg, Na, and K) was assessed from diet composites and three 24-hour recalls during the controlled-feeding and free-living periods, respectively. Fasting serum levels of calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH]D), phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were assessed at baseline, day 6, and day 19. Statistical analyses were performed by Student's t-test and mixed ANOVA. Mean intakes of all minerals during days 1–5 and mean Ca and Mg intakes during days 6–19 were greater in the treatment group compared to the control group. No group effect or group and time interaction was observed in serum biomarkers. Serum 1,25(OH)D increased while PTH and ALP tended to decrease on day 6 but returned to baseline values on day 20. Short-term intake of U. pinnatifida and Porphyra does not affect calcium metabolism in young Korean women with low calcium intakes.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  

• Effects of whole seaweed consumption on humans: current evidence from randomized-controlled intervention trials, knowledge gaps, and limitations
  João P. Trigo, Marie Palmnäs-Bédard, Mar Vall-Llosera Juanola, Ingrid Undeland
  Frontiers in Nutrition.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
• A short education session increases the accuracy of estimated food records in young Korean women during a controlled-feeding study
  Seunghee Kim, Bora Lee, Clara Yongjoo Park
  Nutrition Research and Practice.2021; 15(5): 613.     CrossRef

Menopausal symptoms can persist or worsen even years after menopause and affect women's quality of life. We investigated whether menopausal symptoms were alleviated through a marine healing program and if sea mustard intake additionally benefits these symptoms. A total of 42 menopausal women self-selected to participate as the marine (n = 22) or city group (n = 20). The marine group participated in a 5-day marine healing program consisting of a balanced diet, exercise, and mind-body practices using ocean resources. The city group continued one's daily routine without any intervention. Within the marine group, participants were randomly assigned to consume sea mustard (Undaria pinnatifida) (15.4 g dry weight/day; n = 11) or control (n = 11). Changes in menopausal symptoms were measured using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) before, immediately after, and 2 weeks after the end of the marine healing program. The city group completed the MRS at baseline and on day 20. Within subject differences of menopausal symptoms between baseline and immediately after the marine healing program were assessed using paired t-test. Intervention effects were assessed by mixed analysis of variance. Somatic, psychological, and urogenital symptoms were immediately alleviated after the marine healing program. No effect of sea mustard was detected in the marine group. After 2 weeks, the effect of marine healing persisted in physical and mental exhaustion only. A 5-day integrated marine healing program, but not additional sea mustard intake, temporarily alleviated menopausal symptoms. The reduction in physical and mental exhaustion after marine healing can be maintained for 2 weeks.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  

• The need for biopsychosocial menopause care: a narrative review
  Subhadra Evans, Leesa Van Niekerk, Liliana Orellana, Melissa O'Shea, Marilla I. Druitt, Sara Jones, Sarah Corrigan, Campbell Heggen, Zuleika Arashiro, Rodney Baber, Lata Satyen, Dave Skvarc, Antonina Mikocka-Walus
  Menopause.2024; 31(12): 1090.     CrossRef
• Changes in cortisol awakening responses (CAR) in menopausal women through short-term marine healing retreat program with specific factors affecting each CAR index
  Yesol Moon, Eunil Lee, Seoeun Lee, Gwang-Ic Son, Hangjin Byeon, Hyang-Ree Shin, Baatar Bolortsetseg, Juan-Luis Castillo-Navarrete
  PLOS ONE.2023; 18(4): e0284627.     CrossRef
• Validity of Interviewer-Administered 24-h Dietary Recalls in Older Korean Women: A Pilot Study
  Seunghee Kim, Clara Y. Park
  Nutrients.2023; 15(7): 1757.     CrossRef
• The Health-Promoting Properties of Seaweeds: Clinical Evidence based on Wakame and Kombu
  Eric Wei Chiang Chan, Mio Kezuka, Hung Tuck Chan, Siu Kuin Wong
  Journal of Natural Remedies.2023; : 687.     CrossRef