Nutritional Sciences Assistant Research Professor Young-ki Park says his recent research shows that fucoxanthin, a carotenoid from sugar kelp, may have benefits for human health. Carotenoids are pigments produced by plants and algae and they can have powerful antioxidant properties.
Park studies bioactive compounds in foods as part of his research in molecular nutrition. Bioactive compounds are chemicals that promote health beyond supplying basic nutrients to the body. Despite their small quantity in foods, these extra-nutritional constituents can have profound effects on cellular and molecular metabolism.
“I study how nutrients enter the body and affect cellular responses and gene expression,” says Park. “I want to understand which nutrients create a beneficial response and learn how to enhance it.”
