What Is Fulvic Acid? Other Names: Acide Fulvique, Ácido Fúlvico, Fulvosäure

What is Fulvic Acid?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Fulvic acid (FA) is a complex mixture of polyphenolic compounds derived from the decomposition of organic matter, such as humus, peat, lignite, and aquatic environments. It is known for its diverse biological activities and has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, particularly those related to the digestive tract2. Recent research has expanded our understanding of fulvic acid’s potential benefits in animal husbandry, agriculture, and human health.

Chemical Composition and Sources

Fulvic acid is a component of humic substances, which are the major organic constituents of soil, peat, and coal. It is characterized by its small molecular size and high oxygen content, which contribute to its solubility in water across a wide pH range. This solubility allows fulvic acid to interact with minerals and organic compounds, enhancing nutrient absorption and transport2 9.

Biological Activities and Health Benefits

Growth Performance in Animals

Fulvic acid has been shown to improve growth performance in various animal species. For instance, dietary supplementation with fulvic acid significantly enhanced the growth performance, intestinal health, and immune response of juvenile loach (Paramisgurnus dabryanus)1. Similarly, in Xianju yellow chickens, fulvic acid improved average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR), while modulating gut microbiota and reducing inflammation2. In pigs, fulvic acid supplementation reduced backfat thickness and improved lipid metabolism by increasing hormone-sensitive lipase activity and decreasing lipoprotein lipase activity3.

Antioxidant and Immune Modulation

Fulvic acid exhibits strong antioxidant properties, which help in reducing oxidative stress and enhancing immune function. In broilers, fulvic acid supplementation increased the activities of digestive enzymes and antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, while also boosting serum immunoglobulin levels5. In aged laying hens, fulvic acid improved egg production and quality, and modulated gut microbiota by increasing beneficial bacteria like Firmicutes and reducing harmful ones like Proteobacteria4.

Cardioprotective Effects

Research has also highlighted the cardioprotective effects of fulvic acid. In a study involving rats, fulvic acid administration mitigated isoprenaline-induced cardiac damage by normalizing serum cardiac markers, antioxidant enzyme activities, and histological changes in heart tissue10. This suggests that fulvic acid could be a potential therapeutic agent for preventing cardiac toxicity.

Agricultural Applications

In agriculture, fulvic acid is valued for its ability to enhance plant growth and improve soil health. It has been shown to increase the antioxidant activity and quality of pepper fruits, including higher levels of carbohydrates, capsaicin, and carotenoids9. These benefits make fulvic acid a promising additive for sustainable agricultural practices.

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Adverse Effects of Fulvic Acid

Gastrointestinal Issues

Fulvic acid can cause gastrointestinal intolerance, including symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting3.

Thyroid Function

Fulvic acid supplementation has been associated with a dose-related increase in plasma TSH and a decrease in the T4/T3 ratio, indicating a potential mild hypothyroid effect4.

Iron and Manganese Homeostasis

Fulvic acid slightly increased iron content in the liver and kidney but did not significantly affect iron absorption efficiency. It also slightly decreased manganese concentration in the large intestinal content7.

Short-lived Burning Sensation

Topical application of carbohydrate-derived fulvic acid (CHD-FA) for eczema treatment caused a short-lived burning sensation in some users9.

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How has Fulvic Acid Improved Patient Outcomes?

Eczema Treatment

Fulvic acid significantly improved the severity and erythema of eczema compared to placebo, with better global response to treatment and no significant side effects other than a short-lived burning sensation1.

HIV-1 Positive Patients

In pre-ART HIV-1 positive subjects, a fulvic acid wellness drink was well tolerated and did not negatively affect disease progression or general health. There was a trend towards slower CD4 count decline compared to natural disease progression2.

Wound Healing

Fulvic acid poultice significantly accelerated wound healing in rats, showing higher wound closure rates, reduced inflammation, and increased fibroblast and vessel formation3.

Animal Growth and Health

In juvenile loach, fulvic acid improved growth performance, intestinal health, and immune function by enhancing digestive enzyme activity, antioxidant activity, and beneficial gut microflora4.

In aged laying hens, fulvic acid improved egg production, egg quality, and modulated gut microbiota, increasing beneficial bacteria and reducing harmful ones6.

In Xianju yellow chickens, fulvic acid improved growth performance, reduced inflammation, and positively altered gut microbiota and metabolites7.

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Fulvic Acid Mechanisms of Action

Growth Performance and Feed Efficiency

FA supplementation improves growth performance and feed conversion ratio in chickens and loaches, indicating enhanced nutrient utilization and growth rates1 3 5.

Immune Function Enhancement

FA enhances immune responses, as evidenced by increased levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA) and other immune markers in various animals, including rats and broilers2 3 5.

Modulation of Gut Microbiota

FA alters gut microbiota composition, increasing beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and reducing harmful bacteria such as Campylobacter and Proteobacteria, which may contribute to improved gut health and immune function1 3.

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects

FA exhibits antioxidant properties by increasing the activity of enzymes like superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, and it reduces inflammation markers such as TNF-α in chickens1 3 5.

Lipid Metabolism Regulation

FA affects lipid metabolism by increasing hormone-sensitive lipase activity and decreasing lipoprotein lipase activity, leading to reduced backfat thickness in pigs4.

Thyroid Function Influence

FA supplementation is associated with a dose-dependent increase in plasma TSH and a decrease in the T4/T3 ratio, indicating a potential mild hypothyroid effect2.

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Common Complaints Associated with Fulvic Acid Use

Digestive and Intestinal Health

FA supplementation can alter gut microbiota composition, reducing harmful bacteria like Campylobacter and increasing beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus1 2.

FA can improve intestinal health by enhancing antioxidant activity and immune enzyme activity, which may lead to better overall gut function1 2.

Growth Performance

FA has been shown to improve growth performance metrics such as average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), weight gain (WG), and specific growth rate (SGR) in both chickens and loaches1 2.

Immune Function

FA can modulate immune responses, such as decreasing serum levels of TNF-α and increasing IL-2 in chickens, and elevating lysozyme activity, complement 3 (C3) content, and immunoglobulin M (IgM) content in loaches1 2.

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Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

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