Last verified: 17 days ago
Aquamin F
Also known as: Lithothamnion sp., marine algae calcium, seaweed-derived calcium, Lithothamnion calcareum, multimineral seaweed extract
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Seaweed-derived calcium and mineral supplement. Early evidence for joint mobility and calcium metabolism benefits.
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What it does
Aquamin F is a multimineral supplement derived from the marine red algae Lithothamnion sp., naturally rich in calcium (around 32%) plus over 72 trace minerals from its oceanic origin. Early...
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Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
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Clinical dose
2400 mg/day based on available study data
What the Science Says
Aquamin F is a multimineral supplement derived from the marine red algae Lithothamnion sp., naturally rich in calcium (around 32%) plus over 72 trace minerals from its oceanic origin. Early clinical research suggests it may support calcium metabolism more effectively than standard calcium carbonate — showing longer suppression of parathyroid hormone after meals in premenopausal women. A small pilot study in knee osteoarthritis patients found improvements in walking distance and range of motion at 2400 mg/day over 12 weeks, though pain scores did not significantly improve.
What It Doesn't Do
Not proven to eliminate joint pain — the OA study showed no significant improvement in pain scores. Don't expect it to replace your doctor-prescribed medications. No evidence it builds bone density long-term. The mineral diversity sounds impressive, but most of those 72 trace minerals are present in tiny amounts with no proven benefit at these doses. Not a cure for osteoarthritis.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Suppresses parathyroid hormone longer after meals than standard calcium carbonate in premenopausal women.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: Single oral dose (study did not specify exact mg)
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Improves knee range of motion and walking distance in people with moderate-to-severe knee osteoarthritis.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 2400 mg/day
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Well-tolerated over 12 weeks in healthy older adults with no significant adverse events reported.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: Combined Aquamin-Mg/Aquamin-F supplement over 12 weeks
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Absorption & Bioavailability
Good — in vitro digestion testing showed Aquamin F (calcium-rich) dissolves well during gastric and intestinal phases. A clinical study found greater urinary calcium clearance compared to calcium carbonate, suggesting favorable absorption. However, human bioavailability data is limited to small studies.
Red Flags to Watch For
- All clinical evidence comes from very small pilot studies (as few as 12–22 subjects) — results may not hold in larger trials
- The osteoarthritis study had high dropout rates (only 14 of 22 subjects completed), weakening its conclusions
- Tolerability study combined Aquamin F with Aquamin-Mg, making it hard to isolate effects of Aquamin F alone
- One toxicology paper (PMID 32714840) had no available abstract — safety data from that study cannot be fully evaluated
- Over 1000 registered supplement products contain this ingredient, but marketing claims often far outpace the limited clinical evidence
Products Containing Aquamin F
See how Aquamin F is used in these analyzed products:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Aquamin F do?
Seaweed-derived calcium and mineral supplement. Early evidence for joint mobility and calcium metabolism benefits.
What is the effective dose of Aquamin F?
2400 mg/day based on available study data
Is Aquamin F safe?
All clinical evidence comes from very small pilot studies (as few as 12–22 subjects) — results may not hold in larger trials
What doesn't Aquamin F do?
Not proven to eliminate joint pain — the OA study showed no significant improvement in pain scores.
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-05-25