Rhamnan Sulfate Combats Heart Disease: The Importance of Glycocalyx

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Rhamnan sulfate, a polysaccharide extracted from green algae, stands out for its potential to protect and restore the glycocalyx, a crucial component in vascular health. This compound’s unique properties may significantly contribute to preventing heart disease by maintaining the integrity of the glycocalyx, which lines the interior surface of blood vessels.

The glycocalyx plays a vital role in vascular function, including regulating blood vessel permeability, inhibiting clot formation, and mediating interactions between the blood and the vessel wall. By supporting the structure and function of the glycocalyx, Rhamnan sulfate could offer a novel approach to cardiovascular health, presenting a natural and effective strategy for reducing the risk of heart disease.

What Is Rhamnan Sulfate?

Rhamnan Sulfate is a dietary supplement designed to support the health and function of the endothelial glycocalyx, a delicate lining on the inside of your blood vessels. The endothelial glycocalyx helps regulate blood pressure, prevents the adhesion of platelets and white blood cells, and serves as a barrier to keep cholesterol and other substances from adhering to the walls of the blood vessels.

Rhamnan sulfate from Monostroma nitidum may provide a safe and effective intervention for reducing atherosclerotic plaque

Rhamnan sulfate is believed to provide nutritional support for the endothelial glycocalyx, and thus help maintain healthy circulatory function. [PMID: 37164033]

What Is Glycocalyx?

The glycocalyx is a complex, gel-like layer that coats the endothelial cells lining the interior surface of blood vessels. This intricate structure is composed of various glycoproteins, glycolipids, and proteoglycans, which together create a meshwork that is both permeable and selective. Physically, the glycocalyx is characterized by its slippery surface, which plays a crucial role in blood flow dynamics, helping to ensure smooth passage of blood cells and plasma within the circulatory system.

The protective functions of the glycocalyx are multifaceted. First, its physical barrier properties help shield the underlying endothelial cells from mechanical damage caused by the shear stress of flowing blood. This protection is essential for maintaining the integrity of blood vessels. Additionally, the glycocalyx acts as a mediator in vascular permeability, regulating the transfer of substances between the blood and the vessel walls. By selectively allowing nutrients and signaling molecules to pass while blocking harmful substances, it helps preserve the health of the endothelium.

Moreover, the glycocalyx plays a pivotal role in inhibiting blood clotting and inflammation within the vessels. Its surface binds anticoagulant factors that prevent the blood from clotting unnecessarily, reducing the risk of thrombosis. It also suppresses the adhesion of white blood cells and platelets to the endothelial surface, thereby preventing inflammation and the subsequent development of atherosclerosis, a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases.

In summary, the physical properties of the glycocalyx—its composition, structure, and slippery surface—alongside its dynamic interactions with cellular and molecular components of blood, are fundamental in protecting blood vessel walls. Through these mechanisms, the glycocalyx safeguards vascular integrity, regulates endothelial interactions, and plays a critical role in preventing cardiovascular diseases by minimizing inflammation, thrombosis, and atherosclerosis.

The Endothelial Glycocalyx Protects Against Myocardial Edema [

What are the Benefits of Rhamnan Sulfate?

Rhamnan sulfate supports the health of the endothelial glycocalyx, which is an important aspect of your circulatory system. While more research is needed to fully understand its effects, here are some potential benefits that Arterosil HP might provide:

  • Supports Vascular Health: Arterosil HP is believed to help nourish the endothelial glycocalyx, thus supporting overall vascular health. [PMC9689188]
  • Protects Against Inflammatory Organ Damage: Researchers found that oral supplements of rhamnan sulfate helped protect mice from inflammation and organ damage caused by, LPS, a harmful inflammatory substance. It also helped maintain the protective layer inside blood vessels, suggesting it could be a beneficial treatment for reducing inflammation and protecting blood vessels and organs. [PMC8875490]
  • Maintains Healthy Blood Pressure: By providing nutritional support to the endothelial glycocalyx, Arterosil HP may aid in the regulation of blood pressure.
  • Promotes Healthy Blood Flow: A healthy endothelial glycocalyx helps ensure smooth and efficient blood flow throughout the body.
  • Protects Vascular Wall: The endothelial glycocalyx serves as a protective barrier to keep substances like cholesterol from adhering to the blood vessel walls, which Arterosil HP may support. [PMC8238147]
  • Prevents Clot Formation: A healthy glycocalyx can prevent the adhesion of platelets and white blood cells, thus potentially reducing the risk of clot formation. [PMID: 30796650]
  • May Reduce Atherosclerotic Plaque: A case series of 6 cardiovascular patients found that carotid plaque was reduced in all six patients. [PMC10886398]

Is Rhamnan Sulfate/Arterosil HP Safe?

Rhamnan Sulfate, marketed as Arterosil HP, is a natural compound derived from green seaweed and is safe for supporting cardiovascular health. Clinical studies and early research have shown that Rhamnan Sulfate helps maintain the endothelial glycocalyx, a crucial component of vascular health. It is well-tolerated with minimal side effects, making it a safe option for most people.

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Arterosil HP

Arterosil HP® is the world’s premier supplement to support the endothelial glycocalyx,* the fragile inner lining of the entire vascular system. Arterosil HP contributes to healthy vascular function in multiple ways:*
Arterosil HP supports normal circulation*
Arterosil HP helps support normal artery function*
Arterosil HP helps maintain a healthy artery wall*
Arterosil HP supports a healthy heart*
Arterosil HP supports a strong and vital glycocalyx – the micro-thin gel lining in your veins and arteries.*

Suggested Use:
Take 2 capsules daily, preferably one in the morning and one in the evening, with a meal, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.

Serving Size: 2 Capsules

Amount Per Serving
Proprietary Blend … 900mg
MonitumRS(™) green seaweed (Monostroma sp.) extract, grape (seed and skin) extract, green tea (leaf) extract, grape pomace (fruit) extract, tomato (fruit), carrot (root) juice, bilberry (fruit), broccoli (aerial parts), green cabbage (leaf), onion (bulb), garlic (bulb), grapefruit (fruit), asparagus (stalk), papaya (fruit), pineapple (fruit), strawberry (fruit), apple (fruit), apricot (fruit), cherry (fruit), orange (fruit), blackcurrant (fruit), olive (fruit) extract, cucumber (fruit).

Food First!

Although this article discusses supplements in detail, don’t forget that we are absolutely committed to the “Food First” approach to nutrition. When it comes to your health, the totality of your eating habits far surpasses the impact of individual nutrients or any single supplement you consume. Even though this article doesn’t delve into the broader picture of your overall diet, it’s crucial to keep this element at the forefront of our minds. Your food needs to provide all the vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals to nourish your body systems down to the cellular level.

Food choices, rather than supplements, are the most critical factors for a healthy gut microbiome. These trillions of tiny inhabitants in your gut affect your brain waves; they orchestrate your immune system. They possess the power to create molecules that can switch genes on or off and are even capable of synthesizing neurotransmitters. Opting for organic foods and steering clear of plastic packaging (including those labeled BPA-free) is a smart move to limit toxin exposure. The sum of all these parts leads to a powerful conclusion: the ultimate key to your health lies in the quality and balance of the food you consume. Supplements are secondary.

What To Eat

To Sum It Up

Rhamnan sulfate is a supplement thought to be useful in supporting cardiovascular health and reducing inflammation. Research highlights its potential in protecting the vascular endothelium, reducing organ damage from inflammatory responses, and maintaining the integrity of the glycocalyx, which is crucial for vascular health. These findings suggest that rhamnan sulfate could be a valuable addition to health regimens, especially for those looking to enhance their cardiovascular function and combat inflammation.


This Article is Not a Substitute for Medical Advice

Dietary supplements are not designed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The Supplement Sciences website seeks to provide comprehensive access to the most relevant supplement information along with convenient online ordering. We do not provide medical advice and cannot guarantee that every product suggested is completely without risk. Since each person is unique in their health history and medication use, it is important to discuss supplements with your personal physician. Specifically, pregnant women and individuals being treated for cancer or liver or kidney problems must consult their physician about every nutritional supplement they plan to take. People taking medications for the treatment of HIV or with a history of organ transplant must not take supplements without consulting with their physician.


A Case Series

Researchers recently reported on 6 patients who were harboring atherosclerotic plaque in the carotid arteries, putting them at risk of stroke and suggesting plaque in the arteries of the heart. The plaque was measured by a routine ultrasound measurement of carotid intima-medial thickness (CIMT). 

Rhamnan Sulfate Case Series

The 6 participants consumed the supplement daily, and their plaque burden was measured after 6 months using the same CIMT technology. In every case, the total plaque burden was reduced

The Effect of a Dietary Supplement Containing Rhamnan Sulfate from Monostroma nitidum on Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque: A Case Series PMC10886398


Figure 2 

(A) The extended state of the endothelial glycocalyx. Due to their negative charge, the glycocalyx components are in dynamic equilibrium with positively charged plasma proteins, which are depicted as orange ellipses (1). Some of the components are not membrane-bound but contribute to the thickness of the whole structure. The thickness and the net negative charge prevent the blood components from adhering to the cell receptors. The cell membrane (2) does not contain many adherence receptors. (B) The collapsed state of the endothelial glycocalyx. Different disruptors can cause eGC to diminish or collapse, either directly or by triggering proteolytic enzymes that cleave different structures, which, therefore, destroy the equilibrium with plasma proteins. Those kinds of proteolytic enzymes are usually upregulated in inflammation. The eGC structures detach from the cell surface and become bloodborne. They may be measured in the blood. The high plasma concentration of, for example, heparan sulfate (3) or syndecan-1 (4) indicates eGC injury. In inflammation, blood components, such as red blood cells (5) or platelets (6), have easier access to the cell surface, and the expression of the adherence receptors on the cell membrane is upregulated (7). eGC–endothelial glycocalyx.

PMC10255458

Take A Deeper Look At Arterosil

The Cardiometabolic Health Congress (CMHC) provides an annual conference for professionals focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of cardiometabolic diseases. This includes conditions like heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. The conference serves as a platform for sharing the latest research findings, innovative treatment approaches, and best practices in patient care. The following presentation was given at a recent CMHC conference.

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