Wednesday, June 11, 2008

History of Fucoxanthin by fucoxanthinbulk.com

History of Fucoxanthin is provided by www.fucoxanthinbulk.com. Seaweed has long been a food staple in countries like Japan and China. Written references as early as 600 BC refer to seaweed not only as a food staple but a delicacy as well. Eight species of Seaweed have been in continual use as a food source in Japan since the 8th century. Two of these species are Laminaria and Undaria, more commonly known as Kobmu and Wakame; both are brown seaweed and both are rich in Fucoxanthin. Other cultures have early recorded proof that seaweed was a part of their diets as well, these countries include Ireland, Scotland, Norway, Iceland and New Zealand. Hawaiian natives consumed kelp and seaweed long before the were invaded by the outside world

Brown seaweed which is a source of Fucoxanthin, grows abundantly off the coast of Japan, but is not limited to this area of the world. In fact brown seaweed grows in a variety of cold water regions. Early Japanese and Chinese people harvested their seaweed from coastal regions for 100s of years. But as their populations grew so did their need for seaweed including Fucoxanthin rich brown seaweed.

Shinran-Shonin, an old Buddhist priest, is said to be the first to propagate Laminaria or brown seaweed which is rich in Fucoxanthin. This occurred in 1718. Japan and China were the first to recognize the need for a constant supply of seaweed and in the 1950's they developed methods of cultivating and harvesting seaweed off their coasts. Both countries developed their own methods of cultivating seaweed and both were successful in their efforts.

China's first endeavor at cultivating revolved around Laminaria which was then, and is now China's most abundant and widely used Fucoxanthin rich brown seaweed. China's method utilized artificial floating rafts to secure the seaweed and later harvest from these stationary floating devices. Their production has continually grown and they provide different species of Fucoxanthin rich brown seaweed world wide today.

Japan cultivated Undaria or Wakame which is high is Fucoxanthin, somewhere in 1963. Before this Japan had an abundant supply of wild Wakame growing off its shores, but with the introduction of a salted Wakame in the market place, consumption soared and Japan soon cultivated and harvested Fucoxanthin rich Wakame. Their production grew by leaps and bounds to 60,000 tons in 1970.

These days Japanese methods and production for seaweeds including Fucoxanthin rich brown seaweed is highly developed. Japan's seaweed production is nearly self sufficient for its demand. Japanese people ingest a minimum of 1 gram of seaweed a day as food and as supplements including Fucoxanthin. Both Laminaria and Undaria are utilized as food and as supplements in Japan and both are good sources of Fucoxanthin.

Today, China leads the world in seaweed production at 628,000 metric tons in both cultivated and wild species. Both Laminaria and Undaria are rich in Fucoxanthin and are commonly distributed and consumed in China. Supplements rich in Fucoxanthin made from these and other seaweed are also popular in China. With recent studies revolving around brown seaweeds and Fucoxanthin which is extracted from brown seaweeds, America is starting to consider these supplements as a regular part of their diets. Most studies regarding seaweed supplements in including Fucoxanthin have not been proven but that hasn't stopped many from implementing the supplements. Brown seaweeds rich in Fucoxanthin and seaweed in general is viewed as a healthy natural food, in America though very few are interested is seaweed as food and are delighted at the availability of supplements to take advantage of the reported health benefits seaweed, brown seaweed and Fucoxanthin claim. For more information, look to www.fucoxanthinbulk.com.

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