Category: Weight loss

Weight loss is a powerful incentive in this world of lifestyle diseases and seaweed has proven weight loss function in animals and humans. Most importantly seaweed may assist in appetite suppression. Pacific Seamoss has a considerable amount of fibre. With vitamins and minerals to help provide nutrition in weight loss programs.

8 Signs You Need Seaweed in Your Life

Post author By Lea Sterling
Post date February 12, 2020

Seaweed is a functional food that has prebiotic properties along with novel bioactive compounds. Because of this, seaweed has a wide range of medicinal like properties that counteract the ailments and disease of the modern lifestyle. Eight signs you need seaweed in your life.

1. Panda Eyes

Are you sleeping well but still have dark rings around your eyes? Its probably due to a sluggish liver. Eating a typical western diet can cause a buildup of fatty lobules in the liver, slowing down the important functions of filtration. Toxins increase in the blood stream and we notice this around the eyes. Research from the University of Southern Queensland shows that taking seaweed every day effectively reverses the negative effects of our western diet and removes the fat from our livers. As an added bonus, liver enzymes tests showed a return to optimal functioning even when an unhealthy diet was being consumed. [1]

2. Waistline expanding

We all seem to be in a constant battle with the bulge, especially as we get a little older. Studies have shown that daily intake of seaweed changes the way fats are processed by the body. Seaweed flicks the switch to make the body use fat for energy. It also prevents new fat cells from being created every time we eat just that little bit too much. This all adds up to a drop in waist circumference of up to several centimeters. [1-3]

3. Feeling more tired than usual

Fatigue is a modern-day epidemic that undermines the enjoyment of life at best, but at worst can lead to accidents. Seaweed is a functional food that is rich in bioactive compounds to counter fatigue, no matter the cause. Fatigue from an underperforming thyroid is alleviated by the building blocks of thyroid hormone, iodine and tyrosine found in natural balance in seaweed. Tyrosine is also needed to produce neurotransmitters dopamine and noradrenaline which allow our brains to function better when under stress. [4]

4. Harder to remember things- Seaweed in your life

Most of us see memory problems are inevitable as we get older, but this is not necessarily the case. A team of scientists from Korea have shown that seaweed can repair neurons on the brain and increase neural networks that are necessary for memory. That study also found that neurons were able to better manufacture and store the neurotransmitters necessary for faster mental processing. [5]

5. Aching Joints – Seaweed in your life

Inflammation in the joints can happen at any age, with causes ranging from mild injury to overuse or arthritis. For centuries seaweed has been used in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory but now modern science is demonstrating just how effective it is. One study described the compounds from seaweed as having a greater anti-inflammatory capacity than aspirin. [6] The benefit of seaweed is that it doesn’t have the side-effects seen in many anti-inflammatory drugs, such as damage to the stomach lining. Check out the surprising testimonies.

6. Blood pressure creeping up

Hypertension is another “lifestyle” disease that has a myriad of causes – western diet, stress, lack of exercise, age or genetics. It is a leading “modifiable risk-factor” factor that increases the probability of death from heart attack, stroke or heart failure. Anyone who has been diagnosed with hypertension knows how difficult it is to lower your blood pressure, even when medicated. The good news is taking seaweed every day has been shown to reduce systolic ( the first number) blood pressure back to normal values. [1] Check your blood pressure

7. Painful periods

Contractions of the uterus can create sever and debilitating pain. Many women suffer from pain so great they are unable to work or function normally during a menstrual period. Seaweed has a high level of natural potassium that reduces smooth muscle contractions and restores the sodium potassium balance in the body. While the uterus still contracts during menstruation, it is far less extreme so pain is significantly reduced. [1]

8. You’re over 50 – you need seaweed in your life

Fifty seems to be the magic number when lifestyle and genetics start to catch up with us. Cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes suddenly loom large in our lives, and in the minds of our general practitioners. Countries that have a high consumption of seaweed, like Japan, have a decreased risk of all these major diseases.[7] This is probably why these same countries have so many healthy, active people in the 80s, 90s and 100s. Interestingly, studies have shown that when these people change to a western diet their biological markers, like blood pressure, shift to a level similar to those raised in the western world. [7]

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. (Pubmed)

[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.(Pubmed)

[3] 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.

[4] M. L. Cornish, A. T. Critchley, and O. G. Mouritsen, “Consumption of seaweeds and the human brain,” Journal of Applied Phycology, vol. 29, no. 5, pp. 2377-2398, 2017.

[5] G. Tirtawijaya et al., “Spinogenesis and Synaptogenesis Effects of the Red Seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii and Its Isolated Cholesterol on Hippocampal Neuron Cultures,” Preventive Nutrition and Food Science, vol. 24, no. 4, p. 418, 2019.

[6] F. Makkar and K. Chakraborty, “Antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory potential of sulphated polygalactans from red seaweeds Kappaphycus alvarezii and Gracilaria opuntia,” International Journal of Food Properties, vol. 20, no. 6, pp. 1326-1337, 2017.

[7] E. M. Brown et al., “Seaweed and human health,” Nutrition reviews, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 205-216, 2014.

Tags dementia, endometriosis

Arthritis Biosea Health Gut Microbiome Heart Health Weight loss

5 Reasons to Feel Better with Seaweed

Post author By Lea Sterling
Post date February 11, 2020

Adding seaweed to our diet provides 5 reasons to feel better with seaweed. Our customers tell us they have more energy and enthusiasm for life. There is no question that adding seaweed to our diet makes us feel better. There is sound scientific reason for the health and wellbeing improvements that happen when you take seaweed every day. Here are just 5 reasons to feel better with seaweed and their main benefits according to published peer-reviewed science.

1 of 5 Reasons to feel better with Seaweed is your Liver is Cleansed

The liver is a manufacturing and storage plant for all the nutrients, enzymes and proteins our body uses every day. It is also the major filtration system for removal of toxins and metabolic wastes. Unfortunately, the western diet causes the liver to become clogged with lobules of fat and then inflammation sets in. This interferes with the liver’s ability to do its job. Toxins begin to build up and vital molecules fail to reach the cells where they are needed. Seaweed removes the fatty build and halts the inflammatory response, so the liver begins to function properly again. [1]. In Professor Brown’s work, the inflammation of the liver is the first sign they see in their rats on a seaweed diet.

2. Inflammation is reduced

Inflammation is a cascade of biochemical and cellular responses designed to protect the body in case of injury or infection. Our modern lifestyle and diet mean we face infectious agents, pollutants and minor injury daily. When you add stress into the mix the process of inflammation becomes chronic leading to disease in the body. Seaweed reduces inflammation in two major ways. Sulphated polygalactan in seaweed works like aspirin to stop the inflammation process [2]. The prebiotic activity of seaweed promotes good gut bacteria that release a variety of anti-inflammatory molecules into the body[3]. So out joints are more free and overall inflammation is reduced. Reduced inflammation also means less energy is diverted to the immune system. Hence, we feel less tired.

3. Thyroid Function is Better

Iodine and tyrosine are the key molecules needed to produce thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones control metabolism at the cellular level and are necessary for proper functioning of all systems in the body. When iodine and tyrosine are in short supply thyroid hormones aren’t produced and metabolism is sluggish. This is experienced as weight gain, lack of energy and feeling cold all the time. Seaweed has healthy levels of bioavailable iodine and tyrosine for optimal hormone production and thyroid function.

4 of 5 Reasons to feel better with Seaweed is Sodium Potassium Balance Improvement

Sodium and potassium are related elements that are vital to life. The western diet tends to be high in sodium but low in potassium, so over 98% of American adults are potassium deficient. Signs of low potassium include fatigue, muscle weakness or cramps and constipation. Diets low in potassium are also known to cause hypertension. Seaweed is high in potassium but low in sodium (4 to 1 ratio) thus can correct the sodium potassium balance. When balanced, potassium makes muscle contraction easier, including the muscles in the arteries, so less effort is required, and fatigue is reduced.

5 of 5 Reasons to Feel Better with Seaweed: Brain function improvement

Seaweed contains many different neurotrophic factors that increase neural connections and generate new cells in the brain. Plant sterols in seaweed create an enriched environment for increased cell connections resulting in improved memory and quicker cognition. [4] Seaweed is also rich in the ancient molecule taurine that helps generate new brain cells. [5] Tyrosine increases dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain, creating feelings of motivation, reward and decreased fatigue, and this has been linked to enhanced performance.[6]

References

[2] F. Makkar and K. Chakraborty, “Antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory potential of sulphated polygalactans from red seaweeds Kappaphycus alvarezii and Gracilaria opuntia,” International Journal of Food Properties, vol. 20, no. 6, pp. 1326-1337, 2017. (Food Online)

[3] I. Sekirov, S. L. Russell, L. C. M. Antunes, and B. B. Finlay, “Gut microbiota in health and disease,” Physiological reviews, vol. 90, no. 3, pp. 859-904, 2010.

[4] G. Tirtawijaya et al., “Spinogenesis and Synaptogenesis Effects of the Red Seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii and Its Isolated Cholesterol on Hippocampal Neuron Cultures,” Preventive Nutrition and Food Science, vol. 24, no. 4, p. 418, 2019. (pubmed)

[5] M. L. Cornish, A. T. Critchley, and O. G. Mouritsen, “Consumption of seaweeds and the human brain,” Journal of Applied Phycology, vol. 29, no. 5, pp. 2377-2398, 2017. (SpringerLink)

[6] P. Watson, “Tyrosine Supplementation: Can This Amino Acid Boost Brain Dopamine and Improve Physical and Mental Performance?,” Sports Sci. Exch, vol. 28, no. 157, pp. 1-6, 2016. Reference

Tags anti inflammatory, brain function, health benefits of seaweed, healthy heart, iodine, potassium, thyroid

Beauty Biosea Health Weight loss

The Kardashians eat Seaweed!

Post author By Lea Sterling
Post date February 10, 2020

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

[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.

Tags health benefits of seaweed, improve heart health, seaweed health benefits

Biosea Health Health Benefits Weight loss

Seaweed Linked to Weight Loss?

Post author By Alana Rauert
Post date August 5, 2019

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.

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].