Home Ingredients InSea2® (Brown Seaweed Polyphenols — InnoVactiv)
Metabolic HealthWeight Management

InSea2® (Brown Seaweed Polyphenols — InnoVactiv)

Ascophyllum nodosum
Evidence Level
Limited
2 Clinical Trials
3 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

InSea2® is a blend of polyphenols from two brown seaweeds, Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus, from InnoVactiv. The seaweed polyphenols slow the digestive enzymes that break down starch and sugar, helping blunt the rise in blood sugar after carbohydrate-rich meals.

Studied Dose About 500 mg taken before a carbohydrate-containing meal.
Active Compound A standardized blend of brown seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus) polyphenols that inhibit carbohydrate-digesting enzymes.

Benefits

Gentler post-meal glucose

By slowing the digestion of starch and sugar, the seaweed polyphenols help reduce the spike in blood sugar that follows carbohydrate-rich meals.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Insulin response support

Lower post-meal glucose is accompanied by a more moderate insulin response, supporting metabolic balance.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Carbohydrate management

As a meal-time carb manager, it is used in glycemic-support and weight-management formulas.

Mechanism of action

1

Enzyme inhibition

The polyphenols inhibit alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, the enzymes that break carbohydrates into absorbable sugars, slowing glucose entry into the blood.

2

Antioxidant polyphenols

Brown seaweed polyphenols also show antioxidant activity in laboratory studies; any vascular or broader metabolic relevance in humans has not been established for this ingredient.

Clinical trials

1
InSea2 Postprandial Insulin — Acute Crossover RCT
PubMed

Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled crossover trial of the InSea2 seaweed-polyphenol blend (Paradis ME, Couture P, Lamarche B 2011, Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 36(6):913-919, PMID 22087795).

23 healthy adults (11 men, 12 women); 500 mg taken 30 minutes before a 50 g carbohydrate challenge.

The seaweed polyphenols reduced the insulin incremental AUC by 12.1% (p=0.04) and increased the Cederholm index of insulin sensitivity by 7.9% (p<0.05); glucose AUC was not significantly changed. A single small acute crossover on the branded ingredient in healthy adults — supportive but preliminary.

2
Seaweed Polyphenols and Glycemic Support — Study
PubMed

Study of an Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus polyphenol nutraceutical (with chromium) on metabolic measures. (Derosa et al. 2019, Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity)

175 adults with type 2 diabetes.

Over six months in people with type 2 diabetes, the formula (seaweed polyphenols plus chromium picolinate) was associated with improved glycemic measures; because chromium picolinate was included, the results cannot be attributed to the seaweed polyphenols alone.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well-tolerated — mild digestive symptoms are the most common.
Gas or bloating can occur from slowed carbohydrate digestion.
Seaweed contains iodine; those with thyroid conditions should be mindful.

Important Drug interactions

Diabetes medication — may add to blood-sugar lowering; monitor.
Thyroid medication — iodine from seaweed may interact; consult your doctor.
Take before carbohydrate meals for the intended effect.

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Frequently asked questions about InSea2® (Brown Seaweed Polyphenols — InnoVactiv)

What is InSea2?

InSea2® is a blend of polyphenols from two brown seaweeds, Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus, from InnoVactiv. The seaweed polyphenols slow the digestive enzymes that break down starch and sugar, helping blunt the rise in blood sugar after carbohydrate-rich meals.

What is InSea2 used for?

InSea2 is researched primarily for Metabolic Health and Weight Management. By slowing the digestion of starch and sugar, the seaweed polyphenols help reduce the spike in blood sugar that follows carbohydrate-rich meals.

What is the recommended dosage of InSea2?

The clinically studied dose is About 500 mg taken before a carbohydrate-containing meal. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is InSea2 safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, InSea2 is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well-tolerated — mild digestive symptoms are the most common. Gas or bloating can occur from slowed carbohydrate digestion. It may also interact with some medications. InSea2 is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does InSea2 interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Diabetes medication — may add to blood-sugar lowering; monitor. Thyroid medication — iodine from seaweed may interact; consult your doctor. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for InSea2?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for InSea2 as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 2 clinical trials and 2 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(2 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Paradis ME, Couture P, Lamarche B A randomised crossover placebo-controlled trial investigating the effect of brown seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus) on postchallenge plasma glucose and insulin levels in men and women. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 2011;36(6):913-919. doi:10.1139/h11-115.PubMedUsed to support: The pivotal acute human crossover RCT of the InSea2 blend itself: in 23 healthy adults, 500 mg before a 50 g carbohydrate challenge cut the insulin incremental AUC by 12.1% (p=0.04) and raised the Cederholm insulin-sensitivity index by 7.9% (p<0.05), with no significant glucose change. Single small acute crossover on the actual ingredient in healthy people.
  2. Derosa G, Pascuzzo MD, D'Angelo A, et al. Ascophyllum Nodosum, Fucus Vesiculosus and chromium picolinate nutraceutical composition can help to treat type 2 diabetic patients. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2019;12:1861-1865..PubMedUsed to support: Study supporting glycemic and metabolic benefit.