More recently, scientists have looked at iota-carrageenan combined with saline solution in a nasal spray to discover it effectively inhibited COVID-19 infection. Shutterstock
A seaweed extract called iota-carrageenan, when administered by nasal spray, has shown promise for a quick and easy way to fight COVID by trapping much of the virus before it can take hold in our bodies.
What does research show about this approach, and does it have the potential for other anti-COVID measures?
Carrageenan Might Prevent Virus From Taking Hold in Nose
Extracted from edible seaweed, carrageenan comes in three forms: Iota, Kappa, and Lamda. It’s used in cooking to thicken foods and has been added to processed foods since the 1950s.
George Citroner
Author
George Citroner reports on health and medicine, covering topics that include cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions. He was awarded the Media Orthopaedic Reporting Excellence (MORE) award in 2020 for a story on osteoporosis risk in men.
