Nutritional and Antioxidative Benefits of Dietary Macroalgae Supplementation in Weaned Piglets

This article investigates the impact of dietary brown macroalgae (Ascophyllum nodosum) on the health and metabolism of weaned piglets during a critical developmental stage. The study demonstrates that macroalgae supplementation improves fat digestibility and positively alters lipid profiles by reducing total and LDL cholesterol while increasing beneficial HDL levels. In addition, piglets receiving macroalgae showed enhanced antioxidant capacity, with increased activity of key enzymes and reduced markers of oxidative stress across blood, liver, and intestinal tissues. These effects suggest that macroalgae can support both metabolic health and resilience to physiological stress. The authors attribute these benefits to the bioactive compounds found in seaweed, including polysaccharides and polyphenols, which directly enhance lipid utilization and tissue oxidative stability. The findings position macroalgae as a promising natural additive for optimizing piglet nutrition and supporting overall health in modern production systems.