Author: Alana Rauert

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Arthritis Reviews

Natural Arthritis Relief with Seaweed

Natural arthritis relief

Natural Arthritis Relief with Seaweed

Seaweed and its anti-oxidant compounds reduce inflammatory pro-inflammatory cytokines (signal carrying proteins), part of the cause of arthritis and seaweed reduces this inflammation. Research is focused on the mechanism and the compounds associated with startling results and also clinical trial on the improved health outcomes observed in animal trials and limited human trials.

What Is Arthritis?

Arthritis is characterized by swelling and tenderness of a joint or joints in the body and is often accompanied by pain and stiffness of the affected areas [1]. The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis, in which the collagen cushioning joints breaks down, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), where the immune system attacks the joints and the joint lining. Other forms of arthritis can result from disease and infections, as well as the presence of uric acid crystals [1] [5].

Over time, arthritis continues to progress and symptoms can worsen. The resulting stress on joints can lead to a loss of range of motion and interference in the ability to complete everyday tasks. In severe cases even standing or sitting become difficult [1].

Treatment for arthritis varies, but centers around managing symptoms with the goal of decreasing inflammation and providing pain relief [1] [2]. Research into natural remedies for arthritis has led scientists to investigate the lifestyle habits of Eastern cultures, where the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis is significantly lower [3].

Natural Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Properties

One characteristic that fascinates science is the Eastern diet, which is very different from that of the West. As more is discovered about the world’s oceans, the correlation between dietary seaweed and improved health has led to research into its potential benefits for those with arthritis.[3].

Red, brown and green seaweeds contain a variety of nutrients, minerals, and other compounds [3]. Some of these compounds have been shown to possess properties that may treat the symptoms, and perhaps the causes of arthritis [5]. In laboratory studies, polysaccharide alginate, naturally found in some types of seaweed, has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-immunogenic properties [4].

Arthritis inflammation is attributed to pro-inflammatory cytokines [5] (signal carrying proteins [8]). Testing demonstrated that the production of free radicals can accelerate inflammation associated with arthritis. Seaweed and seaweed derivatives may reduce the pain of arthritis by treating the source of the inflammation, free radicals [5]. Furthermore, research into seaweed may prove to be a link in the development of natural-based analgesic medication [9]

Anti-Oxidants to Break Down Free Radicals

Antioxidants are substances that protect living cells from the effects of free radicals. Whether found in the outside environment or within the body, free radicals are believed to contribute to cancer, heart disease, and other health issues, including arthritis [2].  Foods containing antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, and carotenoids, are found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains [2]. Science is now exploring seaweed as an alternative source of antioxidants with the added benefits of anti-inflammatory and cancer fighting properties [7].

Research suggests that a high concentration of free radicals in the body could be responsible for the inflammation brought about by rheumatoid arthritis. The same study proposes that the worsening of RA over time may also be due to an increase in free radicals within joint tissue [5].

During another study, the antioxidant properties of seaweed scavenged free radicals in vitro (from laboratory cultures). The results of further testing concluded that sulfated alginates protected against free radicals and inflammation [4].

Seaweed for Humanity

There is still a great deal of research yet to be conducted regarding the possible health benefits of seaweed. However, current paths of study have the scientific community excited about the possibilities of finding more effective treatments for arthritis [4] [6] as well as other diseases and disorders.

Seaweed supplements offer a readily accessible and convenient way to include seaweed in a healthy diet. Biosea Health promises to deliver the all-natural health benefits fresh from the ocean to your doorstep in less than 2 weeks.

As with any dietary supplement, you should consult a healthcare professional if you have any questions about adding seaweed to your diet. We make no medical claims.  But we all understand seaweed is healthy. What you may not know is that peer reviewed scientific papers have shown in countless studies on humans, animals and in test tubes that seaweed is healthy. Biosea Health provides seaweed as a simple way to consume food.  Simply good healthy food.

References:

[1]  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350772

[2]  https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2017/bm/c7bm00341b?fbclid=IwAR05E7cw40wsKoRs3MNaqXL9zJz6BHvz9BUuncKooz6n6CS5D_1uBt4Xizs#!divAbstract

[3]  https://jpacr.ub.ac.id/index.php/jpacr/article/view/147/pdf

[4]  https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2017/bm/c7bm00341b?fbclid=IwAR05E7cw40wsKoRs3MNaqXL9zJz6BHvz9BUuncKooz6n6CS5D_1uBt4Xizs#!divAbstract

[5]  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1567576911001664

[6]  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1734114012707661

[7]  https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-nutritional-science/article/reduction-of-hba1c-levels-by-fucoxanthinenriched-akamoku-oil-possibly-involves-the-thrifty-allele-of-uncoupling-protein-1-ucp1-a-randomised-controlled-trial-in-normalweight-and-obese-japanese-adults/2896275442FF7EEC0FBC61F8033AC280

[8]  https://www.dictionary.com/browse/cytokine

[9]  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4352535/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYRl8Qy7f-k

Categories
Biosea Health Health Benefits Heart Health

Improve Heart Health with Seaweed

Improve heart health with seaweed Pacific Sea Moss

Improve Heart Health with Seaweed

You can improve heart health with a diet of seaweed because it reduces blood pressure – an essential part of heart health. It improves gut microbiome, is full of essential nutrients, amino acids, lipids, and over 1,000 biologically active compounds. Research globally is chasing some of the compounds.  The compounds have anti-microbial, fungicidal, anti-cancer, weight loss, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and memory function properties. There are some novel compounds in the research phase. Whole seaweed may be as effective as the compounds, but food cannot make health claims.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 1.13 billion people suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension), with only 20% of them having the condition under control. Globally, high blood pressure is estimated to result in the death of about 7.5 million. Hypertension forces the cardiovascular system to work harder, creating pressure within the heart and arteries that can reach dangerous levels. Hypertension is considered to be the most common chronic disease and a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

Blood Pressure – The Silent Killer

One of the main challenges relating to high blood pressure is that an affected person may not know that you have hypertension. About a third of people affected by high blood pressure do not know it. The surest way to see if you have high blood pressure is through regular checkups by a medical professional because the symptoms of high blood pressure can be easily ignored. It is commonly referred to as “the silent killer,” and some common symptoms include dizziness, headaches, nose bleeds, vision changes, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting, depending on the severity of the condition. If left uncontrolled, hypertension can lead to strokes, seizures, heart attacks, irregular heart rhythm, kidney damage, and blocked arteries, all of which can result in death.

Seaweed Reduces Blood Pressure

improve heart healthSeaweed has become a popular diet due to the association of its intake to longer life expectancy and lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases to improve heart health. In eastern Asia, increased consumption of seaweed has been linked to the reduced rates of high blood pressure. In a study among Japanese preschool children, seaweed has been suggested to have beneficial effects on blood pressure. Seaweed contains several essential minerals, including potassium, copper, calcium, zinc, magnesium, and sodium. These minerals, as part of a healthy diet, can help to lower the risk of both high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Other anti-hypertensive compounds found in seaweed include peptides and fucoxanthin, which have promising anti-hypertensive properties and act by counteracting the main mechanisms of high blood pressure. The ingestion of seaweed has been shown to improve the physical structure of the heart in rats.

Improve Heart Health With Potassium

Seaweed has high levels of potassium. Potassium especially has been recommended as an essential element in helping to improve heart health. A diet that includes increased intake of potassium may help in the prevention and control of hypertension and a decrease in deaths associated with cardiovascular diseases. Consumption of potassium has also been found to help in reducing high blood pressure in adults, which in turn reduces the risk of coronary heart diseases. Potassium helps the heart by relieving tension on the walls of the blood vessels, and this helps to lower blood pressure and reduces the risk of a stroke. A diet with sufficient potassium also helps to remove sodium from the body. There are many ways to ingest the necessary amounts of potassium; however, 18g of dried seaweed contains approximately the same amount of potassium as 700 g of spinach. The World Health Organization guidelines recommend a daily intake (RDI) of potassium of at least 3,510 mg of potassium per day, and this is sufficiently provided by the regular addition of seaweed to your diet.

References

[1] How too little potassium may contribute to cardiovascular disease 2017 National Institure of Health (Link)

[2] Increasing potassium intake to reduce blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular diseases in adults WHO (Link)

Categories
Biosea Health Health Benefits Weight loss

Seaweed Linked to Weight Loss?

Seaweed linked to weight loss Pacific Sea Moss

Seaweed can reduce appetite, and appetite is key in weight loss.

How is Seaweed Linked to Weight Loss?

Weight loss, whether calculated via numbers on a scale or the measurement of one’s waist, is a continual battle. Maintaining a certain weight requires balancing caloric intake (energy consumed) with the amount of energy expended [6]. Losing weight results from using more energy than is taken in and, depending on various factors, this can seem nearly impossible to manage.

Seaweed linked to weight loss

Food is a necessity that sometimes comes in the form of less than optimal choices – or just plain tantalizing ones. It is inconvenient in the extreme to compute the caloric intake of each bite taken every day of the week. Even if that task is accomplished, there is energy output to measure and manage. Exercise assists in burning calories when one can find the time. But the belief that exercise reduces weight is wrong. Most who exercise reward themselves, just a little, and find they do get fitter, but do not lose weight. The only way is to drop the fork!

Change what you eat. When you change WHAT you eat, you change HOW MUCH you eat.

Enter an alternative method to aid in weight loss and weight management. Seaweed!

SEAWEED CAN DECREASE HUNGER

Dietary changes to decrease the intake of calories most definitely results in weight loss, but it also comes at a cost, namely hunger [9]. More often than not, a low-calorie diet introduces foods that are less filling, at least initially. Hunger signals from the stomach counter the cerebral knowledge that the appropriate meal was consumed and no more is forthcoming. [4]

Thankfully, Biosea Health has provided a way to silence the rumbles without consuming extra calories because seaweed is linked to weight loss.

Seaweed is a source of calorie-free, soluble fiber that attracts water and swells in the stomach creating a sense of fullness. Soluble fiber added to a healthy diet helps lower LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) [2] [4]. Furthermore, research has shown that fucoxanthin, a carotenoid, can be linked to weight loss in animals, among other health benefits [7] [11].

HEALTH INTO OLDER AGE IS WANTED BY ALL

seaweed link to weight loss as well as exercise, diet and lifestyle

HEALTH INTO OLDER AGE IS WANTED BY ALL

seaweed linked to weight loss Eat healthy

INCREASE FIBER AND DECREASE CARBOHYDRATES

Carbohydrates or saccharides can range from simple (table sugar, honey, and high-fructose corn syrup) to complex (whole bread, pasta, potatoes, and fiber). In any weight loss or livestyle change a simple strategy is to reduce consumption of simple carbs and maintain complex carbs.  While carbs are a basic source of energy for the body [3], calories gained from carbohydrate-rich foods can quickly add up [6].

Research shows that adding fiber to a regulated diet decreases energy intake and increases weight loss among obese individuals. One summary of published reviews showed that an additional 14g of fiber per day could lead to a 10% decrease in food consumption [5]. But be careful to avoid excessive intake because too much of anything has side effects.

INCREASE NUTRITIONAL INTAKE

High-protein, high-fat, and/or low carb weight loss methods are continuing to gain in popularity. Results show that many individuals lose weight when adhering to such lifestyle changes [6]. Unfortunately, these diets can mean leaving out certain whole grains, fruits and vegetables, essential sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber [1] [4].

Adding seaweed to a diet that is limited or lacking in traditional sources of fiber may act as bulk to help stave off hunger without adding carbohydrates [4]. Fiber also serves to ensure a healthy digestive system [10].

DRIED SEAWEED

Thanks to Biosea Health, this oceanic “vegetable” is available as convenient capsule. Harvested fresh from the waters of the Mindanao region of the Southern Philippine islands, our Pacific Sea Moss© is minced, dried, packaged, and shipped to you in less than two weeks [1].

The amount of seaweed is about 5 grams dry.  This amount of seaweed is equivalent to about 1 serve of vegetables.  With only 5 calories, but with 30% of the RDI of potassium, fiber, the seaweed is a great way to have complement a complete diet.

Healthy adults can generally ingest seaweed safely as part of a regular, balanced diet. Of course, it is advisable to speak to a healthcare professional before taking supplements if there are any concerns.[11].

References

[1] https://bioseahealth.com/

[2] https://www.berkeleywellness.com/healthy-eating/food/article/6-things-know-about-seaweed

[3] https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/qa/what-are-carbohydrates-carbs

[4] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0899900704003041

[5] https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article-abstract/59/5/129/1875096

[6] https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1475-2891-10-40

[7] https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/9/11/1261/htm

[8] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213453015000439

[9] https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/32/8/1703/4692345

[10] https://www.pacificharvest.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Sea-Vegetables-for-Health.pdf

[11] https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/9/11/1261/htm

Categories
Biosea Health Cancer Health Benefits

Potential cancer fighting properties in seaweed

Seaweed Cancer Fighting Properties in Pacific Sea Moss

Potential cancer fighting properties in seaweed

Seaweed has been known for millennia to have anti-cancer properties. The Egyptians used seaweed to treat breast cancer as early as 2640 BC, while both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Japanese Folk medicine use seaweed to treat tumors.   Modern science is now recognizing how important seaweed can be for cancer prevention, with studies showing that a diet rich in seaweed can dramatically reduce blood markers linked to breast cancer.

The growth of abnormal cells characterizes cancer, and there are more than 100 cancerous diseases with an enormous health burden worldwide. Carotenoids are a class of biological pigment which are known to have beneficial effects for cancer prevention. Carotenoids, including fucoxanthin, are in many seaweed species and considered by researchers to have incredible potential cancer-fighting properties with promising applications in other areas of human health. Fucoxanthin is one of the most readily available carotenoids that is the subject of research. It is known to stop the growth cycle of cancer cells leading to programmed cell death dramatically slowing cancer growth. Currently, most of the research studies on the anti-cancer effects of  Fucoxanthin are focused on animal subjects. Scientists are excited by the prospect of developing cancer-fighting medications from seaweeds for humans.

Fresh seaweedMuch of this work is with brown seaweeds that have high levels of fucoxanthin. There is accumulating evidence that shows fucoxanthin may have reduction anti-cancer effects on several cancer cells such as lung, breast, colon, prostate, and bladder cancer.

Fucoxanthin has significantly inhibited the growth of prostate cancer by destroying prostate cancer cells. Fucoxanthin has also been identified to substantially reduce the growth of urinary bladder cancer cells by acting as a cancer-inhibiting agent. In a study on mice with skin tumors, the mice were fed fucoxanthin, which led to the suppression of skin tumors resulting in a reduced number of tumors. Studies on human lung cancer cells treated with fucoxanthin also showed a decrease in the number of human lung cancer cells.

The effect of fucoxanthin does not stop at cancer cell reduction. There have been many reports indicating fucoxanthin has a protective effect against the dangerous side effects of drugs. Because fucoxanthin is a natural compound, it is effective without being toxic to the body. It reduces cancer cells plus decreases side effects of conventional cancer treatments leading to improved quality of life cancer patients.

It is not just brown seaweed with anti-cancer activity. Other seaweeds also have anti-cancer activity, but the mode of action is less well understood.

Cancer Research on Pacific Seamoss

One particular seaweed, Pacific Sea Moss©, a red seaweed, containing fucoxanthin in smaller amounts, has been researched on its anti-carcinogenic effects. In Asian cultures such as Korea, Japan, and parts of China, the red seaweed found in Pacific Sea Moss© has long been part of the diets where its consumption is associated with reduced prevalence of breast cancer. Seaweed is also used to treat tumors in traditional Chinese medicine.

Scientists have undertaken several tests on rats induced with a human breast tumor. Once the rats started eating the red seaweed found in Pacific Sea Moss© (Euchemia denticularum “spinosum”), the breast tumors began to decrease in size and number. The mechanism is complicated, but it seems that the seaweed changes the gut microbiome, which reduces the levels of estrogen, which decreases cancer prevalence. The results highlight the importance of marine dietary fiber as a food supplement.

Tests undertaken on human colon cancer cells have showcased the anti-carcinogenic effects of Euchemia spinosum, whereby the human colon cells have died after being administered with the red seaweed found in Pacific Sea Moss©.

Verifiable evidence shows that adding seaweed in our diet may increase the capacity of our bodies to fight against different forms of cancer such as liver, bladder, breast, colon, and prostate cancer. Therefore, these results suggest that the intake of Pacific Sea Moss© has the potential of reducing the risk of several types of cancer.

We make no medical claims.  But we all understand seaweed is healthy. Biosea Health provides seaweed in an easy to consume way with Pacific Sea Moss©  Simply good healthy food.