Seaweed is known for its many benefits to the skin, including anti-aging and anti-acne abilities. Many natural skincare brands are now using seaweed in their products because they’re seeing its power to cleanse, tone, moisturize and repair. So, what can it do for you?
Is Seaweed key to beautiful skin?
Seaweed is great for your overall health as you grow older. We know it has fantastic effects on the inside of your body, assisting with a multitude of issues. But, seaweed has also been shown to stimulate collagen and elastin production.
Collagen replaces dead skin cells and gives our skin strength and elasticity. It ‘winds back our skin clock’!
Plus, seaweed’s high vitamin C levels hydrate and nourish dry, aging skin. Are you ready to feel young inside and out?
Anti-aging
Less Acne
Improves Elasticity
Hydrates
Nourishes
Can seaweed clear my acne?
Seaweed does wonders for cleaning up your insides, so it makes sense that it helps cleanse your skin, too! Acne usually occurs when our oil glands produce too much oil. You start getting problems like pimples and blackheads, which are uncomfortable and hard to get rid of. They can even become embarrassing and make you feel insecure.
Seaweed products are perfect for oily and combination skin because they’re non-oily. This is great for unclogging your pores and keeping your skin clean. Some claims such as skin whitening push the boundaries but there are many products from reputable companies.
Seaweed is also a source of chlorophyll, which provides our bodies with anti-oxidants and removes toxins from our system. Yep – the pigment that turns plants green is also a superfood! Isn’t it time to get the beautiful skin you deserve? Try our capsules and see how they can change your overall health.
Check out Google search for seaweed products and you can find many seaweed-based skin care products. For a selection of just nine:
Bobbi Brown Skin Relief No. 80 Calming Algae Complex
The Seaweed Bath Co. Unscented Hydrating Body Wash
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture Cushion
Mario Badescu Seaweed Night Cream
Skinceuticals Daily Moisture
Peter Thomas Roth Blue Marine Algae Intense Hydrating Mask.
Whether you’re longing for thickness, length, health or cleanliness, seaweed can make sure you never have a bad hair day again.
Healthy Hair
Reduced Split Ends
Faster Growth
Fight Dandruff
Scalp repair
Can seaweed make my hair grow faster?
Yes! In fact, a study found that seaweed can make your hair grow FOUR TIMES FASTER. The study compared the regrowth rate of those with seaweed in their diet than those without. The seaweed eaters had a 95-100% regrowth rate, but those without seaweed only had a regrowth rate of 25-30%.
This is likely due to seaweed’s vitamins and minerals, possibly vitamin B1, B3, B6 which help hair follicles stimulate growth. (Our Pacific Seamoss has little Vitamin D, E or K so it is essential you have a balanced diet.)
Many of our customers, who were taking our capsules for other health reasons, were astounded when they found their hair in an amazing new condition. They had to visit their hairdressers more frequently and couldn’t figure out why!
Can seaweed help with split ends?
Incredibly, the healing properties of seaweed not only give you longer hair, but they also give you healthier hair.
The constant washing and styling of our hair is extremely damaging and is the main cause – along with poor diets – of split ends.
By incorporating seaweed into your diet, your hair will be stronger against damage!
Can seaweed stop dandruff?
Dandruff happens when your head is too oily or dry, and your skin starts to shed small white flakes. It’s often caused by the unnatural chemicals we put in our hair, and it’s tempting to use even more products to stop it.
If you’re looking for a natural fix, seaweed can help your scalp repair itself with its many nutrients. Iodine, a naturally occurring protein in seaweed, is known to help with issues such as dry skin and eczema.
This means your scalp will become balanced and strong, eradicating any dandruff!
So, why not try our capsules and see your hair transform into the stunning locks you’ve always dreamed of?
This was a surprise to us since there’s not a lot in the way of scientific research to suggest any correlation between nail health and seaweed. We know seaweed improved health in many areas of the body, but never expected so many customers to find their nail health better than ever!
Thousands of Australians have poor nails, especially after years of manicures, chemicals, rough filing (or chewing!) and poor diets. Could seaweed be the solution?
How Seaweed Works
No artificial chemicals
Faster growing nails
Improves strength – less brittle
Good source of nutrients and vitamins
Nourishes – improves thyroid function
How is it possible?
We researched natural nail growth products and found their ingredients surprisingly similar to the contents of seaweed.
Health professionals have made it clear you should avoid chemicals and manicures if you want healthier nails. These existing natural nail health companies suggest you instead look to nutrients and vitamins.
Seaweed contains minerals and vitamins such as Potassium, Iron and Vitamins A, B and C. This means it provides anti-oxidants, promotes gut health and stabilizes hormones. These all contribute to overall health in the human body!
TheAmerican Academy of Dermatology says unhealthy nails can be signs of other illnesses and underlying conditions. As we know, seaweed is proven to help with many of these conditions.
So, is it really surprising that it contributes to healthy nails?
Can it help you?
Testimonials continue flooding in with real stories. BioSea Health customers say their nails are growing faster, stronger and healthier.
Anais Bouvier Gonzalez says she saw her nails getting stronger after just two weeks.
“My nails are fantastic,” she said, “that’s natural!”
“It’s Pacific Seamoss from Biosea Health, a product that’s really natural. This helps because it’s not that easy to eat seaweed unless you eat a crazy amount of sushi.”
With a quick Google search, you can find many articles by real people who started incorporating large amounts of seaweed in their diet. They too were shocked to find their hair, skin, and nails looking better than ever. For testimonials from our customers click here
If painful periods are interfering with your everyday life, we’ve got some good news!
Being female is sometimes really hard, isn’t it? There often isn’t space created for women to openly talk about or deal with pain caused by their menstrual cycle. It’s not very comfortable sitting in a meeting with a heating pad!
We know seaweed is fantastic for balancing hormones, helping you look and feel better. And now, we’re seeing customers with significantly reduced pain during their period.
Menstrual pain, scientifically known as Dysmenorrhea, affects 80% of young women. But we’ve discovered that eating seaweed can significantly reduce its effects.
What have our customers said?
Katie, a young woman in the Philippines, had been suffering from period cramps for five years when she turned to seaweed. Her pain had become so unbearable she was failing her exams.
She was encouraged to use seaweed for its health benefits, and in only one month her pain reduced from a debilitating 9 to an easily manageable 1 on the pain scale.Here’s the assessment chart Katie used to describe her pain. How would you rate your period? Are your cramps mild, or do they interfere with your everyday life? Imagine the freedom you could gain from reducing that pain naturally!
How does seaweed reduce period pain?
It’s suggested that exercise and a healthy diet reduce period pain. Vitamins and minerals also help, and of course, that’s what seaweed is full of!
Seaweed is fantastic for stabilizing hormonal levels, and it has a particular impact on balancing estrogen. In fact, period pain is often caused by the imbalance of estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen contracts the uterus and progesterone relaxes it, so too much estrogen causes bad cramps.
Seaweed can also help with other issues caused by periods and hormonal changes, such as acne! Could it also minimize the effects of menopause? Try it and let us know your results.
Discover what worked for Katie
Don’t forget to check out our seaweed chocolate home recipe, perfect for those monthly cravings!
Head to our shop now or our FAQ page to find out more benefits of BioSea Health Seaweed Capsules.
Ever wondered how insta influencers get luscious, long hair without extensions? Why is it that their hair grows faster?
So do we. Most of us have to spend hundreds on expensive products only to find ourselves with brittle hair and split ends from all the over styling we’ve been doing. Does this sound a lot like your daily struggle?
Our Customers Report Hair Grows Faster
Well, we’ve got some great news for you. the science buffs at Biosea Health have stumbled upon some amazing science that may hold the answers. Their customers, taking seaweed for blood pressure problems, started reporting hair was growing quickly and trips to the barber or hairdresser were becoming more frequent.
Turns out that seaweed could be the solution to our dry, damaged-hair problems. Studies have shown that the right amount of seaweed can increase hair growth by nearly four times. Yes, you read that correctly, four times faster than the normal rate of hair growth.
Hair Grew 4 times faster in Experiments
In a study back in 2011, Muhammad et al found within 15 days, those that ate seaweed with recently cut hair had a regrowth rate of 95-100% and those that did not eat seaweed had a regrowth rate of 25-30%. Basically, with a high seaweed diet, we can see our hair transforming from lush to lusher.
Want to see the results but don’t fancy a munching on a big bowl of seaweed everyday? Not a problem. Biosea Health have dried whole seaweed and put it into capsules or granules so you can get the right amount of seaweed without having to chow down on sea-greens by the bucket load
So, ditch the hair-growth gummies and test out a more effective, vegan alternative to long, lively hair.
STAGES IN HAIR GROWTH
ANATOMY OF HAIR
HAIR GROWTH IN RATS
(a) Ethanolic extract of seaweed, (b) aquaeous extract of seaweed (c) honey, (d) water. From Fard et al [1]
Why did hair grow faster?
The authors found the extraction fraction from seaweed also possessed several antioxidant compounds which may be responsible for the accelerated hair growth and wound healing. Hair is considered to be a major component of an individual’s general appearance. Demand for medications that alter hair growth and appearance has led to a multibillion-dollar industry and thus far few natural effective products are available.
Customers eating Pacific Seamoss have provided us with glowing testimonials that their hair growth is better.
References
[1] Muhammad, K. and S. Mohamed (2011). “Ethanolic extract of Eucheuma cottonii promotes in vivo hair growth and wound healing.” J. Anim. Vet. Adv 10: 601-605. (MedWell)
Seaweed – not just good food, Food for Health. Try it. See if your hair grows faster!
Solution to broken nails. Anais Bouvier Gonzalez says she saw her nails getting stronger after just two weeks.“My nails are fantastic,” she said.
BioSea Health customers are leaving astounding reviews about their strong, healthy nails, just weeks after starting to take seaweed capsules.
This was a surprise to us since there’s not a lot in the way of scientific research to suggest any correlation between nail health and seaweed. We knew seaweed improved health in many areas of the body, but never expected so many customers to find their nail health better than ever!
Thousands of Australians have poor nails, especially after years of manicures, chemicals, rough filing (or chewing!) and poor diets. Could seaweed be the solution?
How is it possible?
We researched natural nail growth products and found their ingredients surprisingly similar to the contents of seaweed.
Health professionals have made it clear you should avoid chemicals and manicures if you want healthier nails. These existing natural nail health companies suggest you instead look to nutrients and vitamins.
Seaweed contains minerals and vitamins such as Potassium, Iron and Vitamins A, B and C. This means it provides anti-oxidants, promotes gut health and stabilizes hormones. These all contribute to overall health in the human body!
The American Academy of Dermatology says unhealthy nails can be signs of other illnesses and underlying conditions. As we know, seaweed is proven to help with many of these conditions.
So, is it really surprising that it contributes to healthy nails?
Can it help you?
Testimonials continue flooding in with real stories. BioSea Health customers say their nails are growing faster, stronger and healthier.
Anais Bouvier Gonzalez says she saw her nails getting stronger after just two weeks.
“My nails are fantastic,” she said, “that’s natural!”
“It’s Pacific Seamoss, a product that’s really natural. This helps, because it’s not that easy to eat seaweed unless you eat a crazy amount of sushi.”
With a quick Google search, you can find many articles by real people who started incorporating large amounts of seaweed in their diet. They too were shocked to find their hair, skin and nails looking better than ever.
So, are you longing for beautiful nails? Head to our shop now, or visit our FAQ page to find out more benefits of BioSea Health Seaweed Capsules!
“I’ve always been able to grow my finger nails long, but they’ve always been bendy, and eventually one has snapped and I’ve chopped off the rest to match. My thumb nails never grew long because they’re used for removing staples and all sorts of other ‘tougher’ jobs.
I’ve been consuming the seaweed capsules for just over two months and now all my nails are much stronger and longer, and they have to be cut because they get too long … it’s time for my talons to be trimmed …”
Says Vicki S, from Wombye, QLD, Australia
PS. “I should add, that’s not why we’re both taking them – we want them now for their anti-viral properties … we want to stay healthy”
FINGER NAILS STRONGER
Do Nails Grow Stronger Normally?
Whats the cause? Nails grow stronger if the person has a good diet, low stress levels but other than that there is little medical evidence for other reasons. (See our blog here)
Here are 15 Tips for Stronger Nails
From Healthline.com here are 15 tips for get your nails to grow stronger.
Take a biotin supplement.
Minimize exposure to water.
Stay hydrated.
Pay attention to your diet.
Be careful about the products you use.
Avoid using gel or acrylic nails, if possible.
Give your nails a break from polish.
Keep your nails on the shorter side.
Don’t use your nails to do things.
Use lotion on your nails
Avoid drying products
Change how you file your nails
Use cleaning products with caution
Take a closer look at your shampoo
Talk to your doctor
Guess we will have to add eating Pacific Seamoss this to the list if you want your nails to grow stronger!
Seaweed – Just seaweed and just food. But nails get stronger and grow more. Try for yourself. Money 30 day money – back guarentee
Most of us have 20 nails. Finger nails. Toe nails. And while the industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and there are thousands of vitamins and minerals, the peer reviewed science [1] says that vitamins and minerals do not make for healthy nails naturally.
In late 2019, after about 1 month of sales, we started getting feedback from our customers that they were getting naturally healthy nails. At first we didn’t believe them. The science evidence was clear that supplemention with vitamins and minerals did not lead to healthy nails.
Yet here are just some comments back
I have to cut my finger nails every week. Used to be every 2 weeks. Sidney – Adelaide, SA, AU
My nails are the best they have been for 40 years. Judy – QLD, Aus
Stronger nails Wayne, QLD
My nails are the best they have been since I had thyroid cancer 20 years ago. Amazing. Why? Lea, QLD, Aust
Testimonial
Anais provided this testimonial. She ate seaweed as she saw the good food and vitamins. She was unaware about the effect on nails and hair. In just 3 weeks this is her story.
SEAWEED FOR NATURALLY HEALTHY NAILS
Artificial Products Promoting healthy nails
Nails are a beauty / personal statement and the consumer market is full of products that claim to make naturally healthy nails. The ingredients in these “miracle” lotions are generally synthetic vitamins, a protein complex and soy protein. The ingredients for this of “Sally Hansen Nail Growth Miracle” that is “vegan” and pure and states it is formulated without formaldehye, formaldehyde resin, toluene, xylene, acetone camphor, parabens, ethyl toluide, triphenyl phosphate animal-derived ingredients but does include:
What is the relationship between seaweed and naturally healthy nails?
We don’t know. The published peer-reviewed research papers say vitamins and minerals don’t help healthy nails [11] yet Cashman [7] says every nutritional deficiency affects health. Every popular media article insists that eating healthy and taking multi-vitamins will provide naturally healthy nails, especially if you use Product “X”.
Seaweed is full of vitamins and minerals. A daily serve of 4.2g of dry seaweed includes:
Potassium: 30% of RDA (Recommended daily allowance)
Maybe the people who took this were not eating healthy? But that does not explain the large number of consumers that all say the same thing. Some only noticed after 3 months when their nails had grown out.
Is the Reason due to Improvement in Gut Health?
Seaweed is an effective pre-biotic and changes the gut bacteria. Animal studies show a change in microbiome.
Has 5% of daily dietary fibre
Has high insoluble carbohydrate to provide pre-biotic improvements.
We know a diet of seaweed provides powerful anti-oxidants. In human and animal trials there is a reduction in fatty liver, lower blood pressure, less inflammation in liver, gut, and heart. So maybe this is involved?
Seaweed Does Moderate Hormonal Systems
Seaweed has impact on oestrogen levels and has been researched for breast cancer and for other cancers and in antiviral studies. The evidence is that the seaweed assists in stabilizing hormonal levels.
NAIL GROWTH DETAILS
Nails are complex. What can you do for naturally healthy nails
LOOK AFTER NAILS, NATURALLY
Nail saloons can be sources of infection
Naturally Health Nails Are Wanted!
A healthy fingernail has the function of protecting the distal phalanx, the fingertip, and the surrounding soft tissues from injuries. It also serves to enhance precise delicate movements of the distal digits through counter-pressure exerted on the pulp of the finger. We want healthy nails naturally as most don’t want to spend hours attending to them.
What Nails Tell Us About Our Health
There are many myths and stories about the health of our nails. This is just a list from health.com: 10 Things Your Nails Say About Your Health; by Kathleen Mulpeter. Most arise due to poor nutrition, and healthy living will give you naturally healthy nails.
Yellow nails – occurs with age or with smoking
Dry cracked or brittle nails; There are various physical causes such as overuse of nail polisher, frequent dishwashing, swimming. Brittle nails maybe associated with hypothyroidism
Clubbing. may be a sign of liver or kidney disease
White spots Some suggest it is associated with calcium but minor trauma is more likely
Horizontal ridges. Minor trauma only
Vertical ridges – age – like wrinkles on your face
Severely bitten nails – sometimes OCB behaviour
Spoon nails – thin nails and short of iron
Pitting – may be psoriasis
Dark stripes or a painful growth. Melanoma.
References
[1] Scheinfeld N, Dahdah MJ, Scher R. 2007 Vitamins and minerals: their role in nail health and disease.J Drugs Dermatol. 2007 Aug;6(8):782-7. (Pubmed)
[2] E. M. Brown et al., “Seaweed and human health,” Nutrition reviews, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 205-216, 2014.
[3] S. Wanyonyi, R. Du Preez, L. Brown, N. A. Paul, and S. K. Panchal, “Kappaphycus alvarezii as a food supplement prevents diet-induced metabolic syndrome in rats,” Nutrients, vol. 9, no. 11, p. 1261, 2017. (Nutrition)
[5] Teas, J. et al. Could dietary seaweed reverse the metabolic syndrome? 145–157 http://apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/APJCN/18/2/145.pdf (2009).
[6] du Preez, R. et al. Carrageenans from the Red Seaweed Sarconema filiforme Attenuate Symptoms of Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rats. Mar. Drugs 18, 97 (2020).
[7] Cashman,M, Sloan, S 2010 Nutrition and nail disease 2010 Clinics in Dermatology Vol 28, Issue 4, July–August 2010, Pages 420-425 (Science Direct)
[9] Jung J, Lee JA, Ko MM, et al Gyejibongneyong-hwan, a herbal medicine for the treatment of dysmenorrhoea with uterine fibroids: a protocol for a randomised controlled trialBMJ Open 2016;6:e013440. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013440
Seaweed – not just good food, Food for Health and Nail Vitality
Painful periods or menstrual cramps, is pain during menstruation. The technical name is dysmenorrhea. It normally occurs around the time that menstruation begins, and symptoms typically last less than three days. The pain is usually in the pelvis or lower abdomen. Other symptoms may include back pain, diarrhea or nausea.
Wikipedia says “Dysmenorrhea occurs less often in those who exercise regularly and those who have children early in life. Treatment may include the use of a heating pad. Medications that may help include NSAIDs such as ibuprofen. ”
In severe cases and in many countries, then hormonal birth control and the IUD with progestogen are effective but they are not cheap or many do not want to go on the pill at an early age.
In a study in Spain with university students [11] over 75% had dsymenorrhea. Most (90.5%) students with dysmenorrhea used pharmacological treatment, and 80% self-medicated. Its a major problem among youth today and impacts their quality of life. While physical activity may alleviate symptoms, other complementary treatments that work, should be promoted at all study and workplaces.
Katies Experience. Pain from 9 to a 1
Katie is a student in Davao, Philippines. She’s suffered dysmenorrhea for over 5 years. Her pain was sometimes so bad she failed assignments or examinations. She was encouraged to eat Pacific Seamoss. In one month her pain went from a 9 to a 1.
Typical pain measuring scale.
Y DOES SEAWEED REDUCE PERIOD PAIN?
We don’t know specific reasons why Katies period pain went from she says was 11 to a 1. The first month – surprise. The second. Wow. This might work. Third month. All with a pain scale of 1. Why?
VITAMINS AND MINERALS REDUCE PERIOD PAIN
Theres good research that Vitamins and minerals do help for painful periods. Seaweed is packed full of vitamins and minerals. A daily serve of 4.2g of dry seaweed includes:
Potassium: 30% of RDA (Recommended daily allowance)
Seaweed is an effective pre-biotic and changes the gut bacteria. That is demonstrated in animal studies, and work is underway to check what happens in humans.
Has 5% of daily dietary fibre
Low energy but high insoluble carbohydrate to provide that pre-biotic improvements.
CHANGES IN HORMONAL SYSTEMS
Seaweed has impact on oestrogen levels and has been researched for breast cancer. Professor Teas didn’t know exactly what is going on. She concluded seaweed assists in stabilizing hormonal levels.
Pilot trials and clinical trials are in the planning stage to see how how clinically effective seaweed is.
ACNE IMPROVEMENT
A Korean herb Gyejibongneyong-hwan or the Guizhi Fuling Formula in Chinese, is widely used to treat uterine fibroids in East Asian countries including Korea, China and Japan but recent studies are underway to assess the efficacy and safety of the herbal formula for the treatment of primary and secondary dysmenorrhoea. What is interesting is that also is used to reduce acne; and other trials are underway to see if it improves acne.
Seaweed may also as well and we will follow those who take Pacific Seamoss and see if there is a reduction.
REFERENCES
[1] J. Teas, J. R. Hebert, J. H. Fitton, and P. V. Zimba, “Algae–a poor man’s HAART?,” Medical Hypotheses, vol. 62, no. 4, pp. 507-510, 2004. (Science Direct)
[2] E. M. Brown et al., “Seaweed and human health,” Nutrition reviews, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 205-216, 2014.
[3] A. Farah Diyana, A. Abdullah, Z. Shahrul Hisham, and K. Chan, “Antioxidant activity of red algae Kappaphycus alvarezii and Kappaphycus striatum,” International Food Research Journal, vol. 22, no. 5, 2015. (Google Scholar)
[4] S. Wanyonyi, R. Du Preez, L. Brown, N. A. Paul, and S. K. Panchal, “Kappaphycus alvarezii as a food supplement prevents diet-induced metabolic syndrome in rats,” Nutrients, vol. 9, no. 11, p. 1261, 2017. (Nutrition)
[5] Teas, J. et al. Could dietary seaweed reverse the metabolic syndrome? 145–157 http://apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/APJCN/18/2/145.pdf (2009).
[6] du Preez, R. et al. Carrageenans from the Red Seaweed Sarconema filiforme Attenuate Symptoms of Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rats. Mar. Drugs 18, 97 (2020).
[8] Wong CL, Farquhar C, Roberts H, Proctor M (October 2009). “Oral contraceptive pill for primary dysmenorrhoea”. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (4): CD002120. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002120.pub3. PMID19821293.
[9] Jung J, Lee JA, Ko MM, et al Gyejibongneyong-hwan, a herbal medicine for the treatment of dysmenorrhoea with uterine fibroids: a protocol for a randomised controlled trialBMJ Open 2016;6:e013440. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013440
[10] Kim KI et al Effects of herbal medicine for dysmenorrhea treatment on accompanied acne vulgaris: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017 Jun 17;17(1):318. doi: 10.1186/s12906-017-1813-1. (Pubmed)
[11] Fernández-Martínez E, Onieva-Zafra MD, Parra-Fernández ML. 2019 The Impact of Dysmenorrhea on Quality of Life Among Spanish Female University Students. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Feb 27;16(5). pii: E713. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16050713. (Pubmed)
[12] Anastasakis, Eleftherios & Kingman, C & Lee, CA & Economides, D & Kadir, Rezan. (2008). Menstrual problems in university students: An electronic mail survey. In vivo (Athens, Greece). 22. 617-20. (Researchgate)
Were you aware the Kardashians eat seaweed. Do you care? The internet lit up this week with news that Kim Kardashian sprinkles seamoss in her morning smoothie.
Fans from around the world have flooded search engines and online retailers in a frenzied attempt to learn more about seamoss. So, is seamoss just the latest fad or is Ms Kardashian onto something backed by science?
Kardashians eat Seaweed, and Diet is Backed by Science
Seamoss (or seaweed) has been a staple in the diet of coastal people for millennia and its health effects have been noted for just as long. In recent times, as the western diet has become widespread and lifestyle diseases are impacting national health budgets on an unprecedented scale, science has turned to traditional food sources to find where it all went wrong and how it can be fixed. Seamoss has emerged from the scientific community as a highly regarded functional food; namely a food that has medicinal properties as well as being high in nutrition and prebiotic benefits[1].
Australians Leading Seaweed Research for Food
Australia is one of the leading nations in functional food research. The University of Southern Queensland team, led by Professor Lindsay Brown, has conducted research into the effects of seamoss as an offset to the western high fat high carb diet. The USQ team found that the biological markers of metabolic syndrome; glucose tolerance, hypertension, fatty liver, central obesity; could all be reversed by adding seamoss to the daily food intake[1]. These experiments were done in rats, but earlier trials conducted in Ecuador showed similar results[2]. The key is to have a daily intake of seamoss at a level that keeps the bioactive compounds circulating in the blood stream. In other words, seamoss should be consumed as if it were a medicine.
Beyond metabolic syndrome, there is a great deal of science showing the benefits of having seamoss as a regular part of the diet. Trials examining populations of regular seamoss eaters (such as those Blue Zones of Okinawa) show reduced rates of cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia[3].
How Does Seaweed Work
So how does seamoss create all these wonderful effects? The main mechanism is the positive change to the ratio of good to bad gut bacteria. Seamoss has been shown to dramatically increase the number of good bacteria, so they pump health enhancing compounds, including short chain fatty acids, into the blood stream. Inflammation is then reduced throughout the body and organs, especially the liver, work more efficiently. Seamoss then creates an epigenetic shift in gene expression, upregulating genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism[4]. These have effects on the cardiovascular system and the immune system as well as preventing obesity and type 2 diabetes.
In a nutshell, seamoss creates a biological shield against metabolic disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease and the inflammation that causes premature ageing.
It seems like we should all be taking a leaf out of Ms Kardashian’s health book and add seamoss to our daily routines.
References
[1] S. Wanyonyi, R. Du Preez, L. Brown, N. A. Paul, and S. K. Panchal, “Kappaphycus alvarezii as a food supplement prevents diet-induced metabolic syndrome in rats,” Nutrients, vol. 9, no. 11, p. 1261, 2017.
[2] J. Teas, M. E. Baldeón, D. E. Chiriboga, J. R. Davis, A. J. Sarriés, and L. E. Braverman, “Could dietary seaweed reverse the metabolic syndrome?,” Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition, vol. 18, no. 2, p. 145, 2009.
[3] A. Nanri et al., “Dietary patterns and all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular disease mortality in Japanese men and women: The Japan public health center-based prospective study,” PloS one, vol. 12, no. 4, 2017.
[4] Y. X. Chin, Y. Mi, W. X. Cao, P. E. Lim, C. H. Xue, and Q. J. Tang, “A pilot study on anti-obesity mechanisms of Kappaphycus alvarezii: The role of native κ-carrageenan and the leftover sans-carrageenan fraction,” Nutrients, vol. 11, no. 5, p. 1133, 2019.
Seaweed is fantastic for stabilizing hormonal levels, and it has a particular impact on balancing estrogen. In fact, period pain is often caused by the imbalance of estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen contracts the uterus and progesterone relaxes it, so too much estrogen causes bad cramps.
