Abstract: Provided is a renal function maintenance and protection agent comprising as an active ingredient of a triglyceride of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or a mixture of a triglyceride of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and a triglyceride of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which can be used as a pharmaceutical or food composition. A triglyceride of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or a mixture of a triglyceride of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and a triglyceride of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is used as an active ingredient for renal function maintenance and protection agents.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide methods for producing brown algae or brown algal extracts of reduced iodine content while retaining the structures of pigment components in the brown algae. Provided is a method for producing a brown alga of reduced iodine content while retaining a pigment component in the brown alga, which method comprises shredding an untreated brown algal starting material and thereafter performing a heating treatment with hot water at 90-100° C. for 90-300 seconds. Also provided is a method for producing a brown alga of reduced iodine content while retaining a pigment component in the brown alga, wherein the brown alga obtained in the above-mentioned process is subjected to extraction using hydrous ethanol at a concentration of 60-100%.