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Agar

What is agar?

Agar is a plant that is used to make medicine. Agar is used - especially in Japan - to support weight loss during a diet. In Japan, agar is called "Kanten" and is the most important component of the so-called Kanten diet. Agar is also used to treat diabetes and constipation. In the field of dentistry, agar is used to make dental impressions. In industrial manufacturing processes, agar is used as an ingredient in emulsions, suspensions, gels and certain suppositories.

How does agar work?

Agar contains a gel-like substance that swells in the stomach. This stimulates the digestive organs and promotes bowel movements. For this reason, agar is often used as a laxative.

The swelling effect of agar also explains its use to promote weight loss. Agar causes a feeling of satiety, which means that you eat less than you normally would. Some people believe that this reaction leads to weight loss. However, there is as yet no reliable scientific data to support this weight loss theory.

How effective is agar?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of agar for constipation, diabetes and obesity. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of agar in these applications.

Are there any safety concerns?

Agar appears to be safe and safe for most adults when taken with at least 250 ml of water. If agar is not taken with sufficient amounts of water, it can swell and block the esophagus or intestines. Immediate medical attention is required if symptoms such as chest pain, vomiting, difficulty swallowing or difficulty breathing occur after taking agar. Agar can also increase cholesterol levels in some people.

Precautions and warnings

  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Not enough is known about the use of agar during pregnancy and breastfeeding. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid agar to be on the safe side.
  • Constipation: Agar can aggravate constipation, especially if it is not taken with sufficient liquid. For this reason, you should consult a doctor before using agar if you suffer from constipation.
  • Difficulty swallowing: Agar can swell and block the esophagus if not taken with enough liquid. This can be particularly dangerous for people who have difficulty swallowing. For this reason, you should consult a doctor before using agar if you have difficulty swallowing.

Interactions with medications

Care should be taken when combining Agar with the following medications:

Medications that are taken orally

Agar forms a thick gel. This gel may bind some medications in the stomach and intestines. Taking agar in combination with medications could reduce the amount of active drug ingredient absorbed by the body and possibly reduce the effectiveness of orally taken medications. To avoid this interaction, agar should be taken at least one hour after medication.

Dosage

There is not yet sufficient scientific data available to be able to make a statement regarding an optimal dosage for agar. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label or consult a doctor or pharmacist.

References

  1. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  2. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  3. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.