Update 10/10/22. Limu Original is a superfood juice shot that is a member of the Lium family of supplements which also includes Limu Burn and the Limu Lean shake. All of the Limu supplements are said to be “superior liquid nutrition — all powered by a seaweed-based supernutrient called Fucoidan. “ In this review, I'll look at Limu Original juice and try to find research on it. I'll also look at what's said to be its main active ingredient too – fucoidan. Hopefully, what follows will give you a better idea if Limu is right for you.
What Is Limu?
Limu, also called Limu moui – is a brown seaweed or algae. The scientific name for brown algae is Phaeophyceae. It's pronounced (FI-oh-fEE-she-I).
The specific type of brown algae mentioned on the bottle of Limu is called Sphaerotrichia Divaricata. All Limu supplements contain this type of brown seaweed.
Like all plants, there are thousands of individual ingredients, although when it comes to Limu, one ingredient – called Fucoidan – is often highlighted as its main active ingredient. Fucoidan is pounced, “FU-coy-din.”
Limu Ingredients
According to the bottle, one 1 oz (30 ml) of Limu Original has 33 servings and the following nutritional information:
| Amount Per Serving | Percent Daily Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 7 | N/A |
| Total Carbohydrate | < 2g | < 1 % DV |
| Sugars | < 2 g | N/A |
| Proprietary Limu Blend | 25 ml | N/A |
In the table above, N/A = no daily value has been established.
The label states that the Limu blend comes from the whole plant (Sphaerotrichia divaricata). This is wise
because it's probable the whole plant has more nutrients than just a single portion (extract) of the plant.
Other Ingredients
The label also states that Limu Original also contains these other ingredients in a “Proprietary All Natural Flavor Blend”
- Organic papaya puree
- Organic mango puree
- Pear juice concentrate
- Apple juice concentrate
The product also contains sodium benzoate, malic acid, and potassium sorbate for freshness. The product also contains xanthan gum.
Limu Research
While there is research on fucoidan, does Limu – the supplement- have any published clinical studies?
While studies mention Limu – the seaweed – those discussing the Limu Original, the dietary supplement was not located. Therefore, I'm forced to conclude that at this time, Limu – the supplement – appears to have no published clinical studies.
What Is Fucoidan?
Fucoidan is a type of carbohydrate found in brown algae (also referred to as brown seaweed. It's sometimes also called a sea vegetable). Fucoidan is said to have a poor absorption (about 2% or so if rat studies are to be taken as an indication?). That said, some human studies show something is going on when people ingest this compound.
In this review there are many types of fucoidan that come from different species of brown algae. Limu gets its fucoidan from Sphaerotrichia divaricata also sometimes called Tongan Limu Moui.
What is fucoxanthin? This is another ingredient in brown algae and is pronounced fU-co-zan-thin. Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid (plant nutrient). There are several hundreds of carotenoid molecules. Fucoxanthin is just one of them. Beta carotene is another. Whether Limu has fucoxanthin is not known so this review won't include this compound.
There are MANY animal studies on fucoidan but in this review, let's focus mostly on the human research
Fucoidan Research
Fucoidan And Arthritis
In one study, researchers noted that 300 mg of a fucoidan extract helped pain levels in 96 people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee and hip. In theory, less pain might mean better ability to move around. The fucoidan used in this study did not come from limu but a different type of brown seaweed called Fucus vesiculosus, also known as bladderwrack.
Fucoidan And Cancer
At least one study has noted 3 grams (3000 mg) of fucoidan (taken from Tasmanian Undaria pinnatifida) given for 12 days was shown to improve immunity in people with a type of leukemia.
In another investigation, researchers noted fucoidan improved fatigue in people who were going through chemotherapy for colon cancer. In this study, people were given 150 ml/day of a liquid that contained 4.05 grams of fucoidan for 6 months. The fucoidan in this study was derived from a type of seaweed called Cladosiphon okamuranus. Test tube studies have also noted that fucoidan may have anti-estrogen properties. This might make it effective at some types of human cancers but more proof is needed to know for sure.
Fucoidan And Heart Disease
In one study, researchers gave 500 mg of fucoidan or a placebo to 25 overweight adults for 3 months. Compared to the placebo, those getting fucoidan, had reduced LDL (bad cholesterol), lower diastolic blood pressure, and increased insulin production.
Fucoidan And Immune System
Researchers in Japan have noted that 300 mg of fucoidan daily produced a more robust immune response to the flu vaccination than those who received a placebo. The fucoidan in this study came from Undaria pinnatifida.
Fucoidan And Colitis
Animal studies suggest fucoidan can reduce inflammation associated with colitis.
Fucoidan And Autism
There's no good proof fucoidan improves autism symptoms.
Limu And Alzheimer's Disease
One investigation found better short-term memory in older folks who took fucoidan. The type of seaweed used was Laminaria japonica A. Some supplements do contain this type. No good proof appears to show improvement from Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia.
What About Weight Loss?
Limu Original is not marketed to help people lose weight. Because the supplement has iodine, is it possible this mineral might increase thyroid hormone? If thyroid hormone was boosted, could this raise metabolism and help people lose weight? Can Lium then help hypothyroidism too? These answers are not known and require more study.
Where Can You Buy Fucoidan?
Yes, you can. You can likely find it at local health food stores and online like Amazon too. There are many brands of fucoidan supplements available. Studies showing which brand is the best to need to be conducted.
How Much Iodine Does Limu Contain?
Each 1 oz serving of Limu Original has less than 30 micrograms of iodine. This is very low. The low levels are attributed to the Tongan limu used in the product.
For more on brown seaweed, see these reviews:
Does Limu Original Have Any Sugars?
Limu Original has less than 2 grams of naturally occurring sugar per 2 oz serving. It also has
- no added sugars
- no artificial flavors
- no sweeteners
- no artificial colors
It also does not contain any high fructose corn syrup.
Is It Kosher?
Yes, Limu is Kosher, vegan, and gluten-free. Limu Original bottles contain no BPA (Bisphenol-A) (BPA) or PET (polyethylene terephthalate).
How To Buy Limu Origional?
Limu Original is usually obtained from a Limu distributor. If you don't know any and want to purchase it from the company, you can call them at 407- 548-3800. I'm sure they will be happy to help you.
Who Makes Limu Origional Juice?
The company is called The Limu Company LLC and their website is TheLimuCompany.com. The website was created in 2003 so it has been around a long time. That's good. The Better Business Bureau gives the Limu Company a rating of “A+.“ See the BBB file for updates and more information. The Company is located at 610 Crescent Executive Ct Ste 110, Lake Mary, FL 32746-2111. The company phone number is 407-548-3800.
Another name for the company is Ariix and NewAge.com (New Age Beverages Company). The Arix company is located in Utah, has been in business since 2011, and has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. The New Age Beverage company also has an A+ BBB rating and has been in business since 2003. Together, this “Omni channel health and wellness firm” spans several companies and products, including Hiro, Zennoa, Skincerity by Lucim+, Tahitian Noni, and Slenderiiz.
How To Contact
The company's contact number is 407- 548-3800. Their contact fax number is 407 804-5488.
Limu Side Effects
Limu Original is likely safe for most healthy people. That said, here are a few things to think about. This list is not complete:
- Start with less than recommended for the first week
- Speak to your doctor first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Stop taking at least 2 weeks before having surgery
- If you take any medications, talk to your doctor first
- Fucoidan may have blood-thinning effects, so if you take anticoagulant medicine, talk to your doctor
Does Limu Origional Work?
While Limu may lack clinical proof, fucoidan (which is in the supplement) has been clinically studied. The few human studies available appear to show fucoidan may be having some effects, but more study is needed to know for sure. Because Limu Original is derived from the whole plant, if it does work, I think its effects might be more complicated than any single nutrient, including fucoidan.
Your Amazon links do NOT show Limu anything. I then did a Limu search on Amazon and, of 68 results, NOT ONE was a Limu product.
Hi Jo, thank you for the feedback. when I originally checked, I did see it however, items on Amazon fluctuate, so it may be there in the future. The links do show, however the key ingredient in Limu which in theory, may work the same.
Please reconsider Limu. But they have been bought by New Age ariix products.com. The #1 helper couple in the Limu Company pulled out in 2019, joined a company I’m looking at, & 1 product is powdered Limu6. Still researching. I’m pissed at ariix because they sell too many different companies products, and don’t feature Limu easily.
L-see-limu, I looked at the ariix website and you are correct, they do offer quite a number of dietary supplements. Limu is one of several other supplements. I’m not familiar with powdered limu but if it is the same thing as is in the liquid, Id wonder how its different (other than being in a powdered form).
Aloha !
Has anyone used the LIMU products for more than five years? What has been your experience?
Mahalo,
Kaleo
Hi Kaleo, why 5 years? Have you been using Limu for a long time? What have your experiences been?
Nothing on earth world wide is as powerful as Tonga Limu from ariix.
L-see-limu have you seen research on limu that I didn’t include in this review? If yes, let me know and Ill be glad to update the review with that information.
I have a history of breast cancer. I was advised NOT to take anything that contained “Hormones”. They said this could make my cancer come back. But, my question is….. is it SAFE to Fucoidan with history of breast cancer?? Thanks, Stacie
Hi Stacie, good question and I am honestly not sure. Fucoidan is not a hormone but I really have no idea what impact it may have on cancer.
In this review of Fucoidan and cancer https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4413214/ the researchers talk a lot about the “potential” of fucoidan to be anti-cancer but when I glanced over the review, I saw a lot of rat and test tube research but nothing where it was tested in humans who had cancer. This makes it a big unknown in my book.
I recommend you ask your pharmacist and onconcolgist about fucoidan. maybe they can shed some light on this. If you get an answer, let me know. I’m curious.
Many, many Limu users have been cured of cancer.
L-cancer. How do you know this? What kinds of cancer?
I started using Blue Frog 2 energy drinks in Sept ’16. One of my husband’s co-workers introduced him to Limu’s Blue Frog 2 that has 120 mg of natural caffeine per can. I am unable to use other energy drinks on the market because I get terribly agitated & nervous feeling after drinking most energy drinks & have terrible crashes that would leave me feeling even more fatigue.
I was skeptical about Limu’s all natural energy drinks but decided to give them a try. I found they not only gave me the energy I needed but I experienced no negative side effects & no crash! I also found that once I added a 2 oz dose of Limu Original (or) drank 2 Blue Frogs a day (Blue Frog drinks have 2 oz of fucoidan in them), some of the other issues that I struggled with seemed to be getting better.
I had been dealing with an adrenal fatigue condition that I developed after a trauma I experienced 3 years prior. During that trauma, I had an injury to my back that herniated a disk. I have been in physical therapy for all of this time and my therapist’s have noticed that since using the Limu products, my body is taking and holding the treatments better and I have reduced pain & inflammation.
After some intense study, I found that fucoidan and the brown seaweed plant is naturally packed full of minerals, vitamins and amino acids so I have discontinued taking most all of my other supplements and find I have been able to actually feel the difference between this product and other products I have been using for many years which include some of the best & most trusted brand names on the market.
Further research found that the reason is because most other supplements have heat processing and then added fillers that actually kill the key nutrients in the product so we do not get as much benefit from the supplements as we could if we were using a live product. I have experienced such amazing results, I introduced Limu Original to my mother who was suffering from diabetes & neuropathy which caused her lower part of her legs to be a very dark purple with dry, scaly skin. After 4 ½ weeks on the product, the dark purple in her legs is now turning pink and normal skin tones and the dry, scaly skin is softening. She also has not had to take pain meds for the neuropathy for a week now.
My final testimony about my experience with this product concerns our dog. She is 6 years old & has recently been diagnosed with lymphoma cancer. Her neck had swollen up so much that she couldn’t even bark. 3 weeks on Limu Original at 8 oz a day, the swollen lymph nodes have greatly decreased in size and she is not only barking again but also runs the fence with our neighbor dogs and has gained some of her weight back.
She is not on any steroids & is not doing chemo. She is part of a cancer study being done by my Veterinarian Clinic alongside the Veterinarian Cancer Research Center as they have a current study with K9 cancer patients with the use of Fucoidan alone to treat the cancer. She is not taking the higher doses that the study is using simply because of affordability but her Vet says that we are seeing very good results at the dose we are giving her, alongside a grain-free diet and added vitamin C and a tablespoon a day of coconut oil.
We feel very hopeful that she will pull through. If it is possible to add comments to this thread in 2-3 months, I will update all on her progress.
Hi Caroline, thanks for sharing all that. I do hope your dog continues to do well with fucoidan. Do keep us posted on her condition.
I had a neck injury over 2 years ago. I went through the chiropractor, the doctor gave me prednisone for the inflammation. The chiropractor was no longer able to manipulate my neck, as the soft tissues became inflamed each time. X-rays showed that 3 discs in my neck were bulging.
The Dr (chiropractor) used some type of ultrasound and another machine that like hammered my back, which helped the inflammation. After a few months, I felt like I couldn’t afford the appointments any longer, so I quit going. I lost about 60% of my range of motion to the left, and I could not look up. I had to lean back and roll my eyes upwards.
After my first month of experience with Limu, I feel quite sure that the fucoidan in the product took the swelling down in my neck. I can now look up, down, and all around to the left! An added bonus, I have no more shooters (shooting pains) in my hands and fingers, which I had daily from arthritis. I also had tendonitis in my elbow. It now feels great!
So I can only assume that these health issues cleared up after drinking the Limu, so the fucoidan in their product must be totally legitimate. Personally, it was a miracle for me to have my health back, and is all I know is that the only thing I did differently, was to drink my Limu Original daily. I am totally sold on this product! Hope this helps someone!
Hi Kristi, thanks for sharing and I wish you continued health moving forward.
I am sorry but I am a Doctor of Pharmacy and this has to be the worst review of a supplement I have ever seen. I will never have any respect for ignorance and if some sweet soul passed up the opportunity to improve their health because they read an inaccurate review, well all I can say is the blood is on your hands.
To the author of this article, you obviously have very limited education in the medical industry and you can’t even find and cite simple studies. There are over 1200 Pubmed Studies on Fucoidian and over 400 independent studies proving by both statistical and clinical significance to have validity and reliability.
Limu my dear friend is just the name of the company selling Fucoidian products so of course you couldn’t find Limu in your Pubmed study results because you obviously have never used a study database. Ignorance is why people die. Shame on you.
Hi Valecia, Thank you for sharing. I will point out that I linked to pubmed studies 11 times in my review. I also linked to the page in pubmed where people could see all the studies on fucoidian. As you state, there are many studies on fucoidian. In my review I tried to emphasize human studies and those I felt might be most applicable to humans. Did I miss any? If yes, please let me know and if they are relevant, I’ll be glad to update my review.
Yes “limu” is the name of the company but it is also the name of a brown seaweed, Limu moui. This is why I searched pubmed for “limu.” I did this not out of ignorance but rather to try to do a more complete literature review.
You say “ignorance is why people die.” I’ll buy that. Can you show me a study in pubmed where a limu supplement saved someones life?
I appreciate you standing your ground on this. Since formulations can vary, it is important to point out the source of the extract being used — if that extract is known.
Thanks Manny.
Thank you for standing your ground. And thank you so much for the amazing information. I’ll be purchasing. My brother had some severe inflammation in the fingers and knee and he was completely relieved of it. Completely. and he did nothing unusual… just used the Limu Original.
Thanks, Rhonda, and I’m really glad to learn your brother has been helped. I wish you equal success with Limu.
MD’S do not get enough training regarding nutrition, vitamins, minerals & plants for medicinal purposes….. they are trained in science using medications to treat disease & its symptoms. I so appreciate that approach and do not discount it at all…. but many of us are looking to nature for our healthcare. Always looking for experts in that field as well.
Joe,
Thanks for all you do to help people live healthier lives!
Keep up the good work!
Thanks Bob 🙂
I really appreciate your balanced approach to reviewing supplements. I’ve tried hundreds over the years, and feel most have been a complete waste. My skepticism was equal when someone shared about LIMU with me. However, once my daughter began being able to keep her food down after years of daily involuntary vomiting, I knew I had found a quality whole-food supplement. My family has been greatly blessed by this simple seaweed. I really love that it is extracted without any heat or chemicals.
Blessings!
Thanks Rebecca 🙂
Fucoidan might promote tumor cell metastasis, as indicated by this study.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9521847
Whoa! Don’t want that!
Hi Mark, thanks for that. While an in vitro study, its still interesting. All the more reason for those with health issues – including cancer – to discuss their supplements with their health practitioners.