Tag: Benefits of Seaweed

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Biosea Health Health Benefits

Chocolate Recipe With Seaweed Powder

Chocolate Recipe with Seaweed Powder

Chocolate Recipe with Seaweed Powder

You can make a chocolate as a healthy treat very easily.  You need to eat about 5 to 6 grams of the dry powder each day. But seaweed powder flavor may be a little strong, so you use the chocolate to overpower the flavour of the seaweed.

Ingredients for 1 week supply

  • Pacific Seamoss Powder.  Measure out 5 x 7 days of powder.  (Seven heaped teaspoons)
  • 100g to 200g block of chocolate.  Use a chocolate of choice.  Dark 65% or more has strong flavor, but sweet milk chocolate may be preferred for children
  • 1 Ice Cube Tray.  May need 2 trays, sufficient to hold all the chocolate

You will need access to a bowl, a refrigerator, microwave or pot. If using stovetop, heat pot of water and place bowl over hot water pot to melt chocolate.

Instructions

  1. Melt the chocolate (microwave or use a pot on the stove). Do not overheat.
  2. Remove from heat
  3. Measure in 7 heaped teaspoons of seaweed powder
  4. Stir
  5. Pour into ice trays
  6. Put icetrays into the refrigerator or freezer.  Freezer may reduce the flavor and cause the chocolate to have a white flourery look.

Eating

Depending on the number of chocolate Cubes, split this across the week. Take 1/7th each day

This chocolate recipe is the simplest. If you want a Chocolate Recipe Paleo, read more

CHOCOLATE – TREAT WITHOUT GUILT

Chocolate Recipe for Seaweed Healthy

ICE TRAY FOR DAILY PORTIONS

Chocolate Recipe - Use Ice tray for convenient size

 Chocolate Recipe for Seaweed – Paleo

Want to make a cheaper or more involved recipe.  Here is one that is on All Recipes.com and. Only 10 minutes and gives you healthy coconut as well as Paleo. The coconut also masks the seaweed for a delicious chocolate.

Homemade Melt-In-Your-Mouth Dark Chocolate (Paleo)

Recipe by: Linda(LMT)”Homemade chocolate that melts in your mouth. Made without artificial ingredients or waxes, this wholesome treat is ideal for the health conscious individual who enjoys an indulgent treat. Sweetness can be tweaked to taste, and add-in ingredients and combinations are endless.” The ingredients include

  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Gently melt coconut oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir cocoa powder, honey, and vanilla extract into melted oil until well blended.

Then add the 7 teaspoons of seaweed (1 teaspoon per day)

Pour mixture into a candy mold or pliable tray. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

CHOCOLATE – TREAT WITHOUT GUILT

Chocolate Recipe for dark paleo cubes

TREAT FOR HEALTH -PALEO AND SEAWEED

Chocolate recipe Treat for health
Categories
Biosea Health Cancer Reviews

Seaweed Protects Against Lung Cancer

seaweed protects against lung cancer

Prebiotics, including seaweed, and probiotics (yoghurt) prevent lung cancer. How can this be true? Not convinced that seaweed protects against lung cancer. A 2019 study in the Journal of American Medical Association showed prebiotics, including seaweed, and probiotics (yoghurt) have a role in the prevention of lung cancer[1].

How can the gut and the lungs be linked?

The relationship between the gut microbiota and overall health and wellbeing is now well established. Metabolites from the microorganisms, including short chain fatty acids, trigger changes in metabolic pathways throughout the body. It has previously been shown that gut microbiota can influence inflammation in the lungs [2] and also improved lung function in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) [3]

Prebiotics and Probiotics – the difference.

Prebiotics are also known as soluble fibre. They are foods that dissolve when eaten to create a viscous gel that is readily digested by the good bacteria in the colon. This type of fibre is found in legumes and fruit. Prebiotics are different to cellulose rich insoluble fibre which is found in grains and vegetables. These are not digested, but act as bulk to enable bowel movements and prevent constipation.

Probiotics are foods or supplements that already contain a component of bacteria or other micro-organisms. Probiotics deliver bacteria to the lower intestines to improve the ratio of good to bad bacteria. Yoghurt is the most common example of this, but other probiotic foods include kombucha, kefir, miso and sauerkraut.

Peer-reviewed Studies Showing Seaweed protects against Lung Cancer

Scientists from around the world published the study in the Oncology Section of the Journal of the American Medical Association in October 2019.

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of individual or combined prebiotic and yoghurt intake on lung cancer risk. The positive effects from prebiotics and probiotics, specifically yoghurt, have been well documented in the past. Both create health benefits by modulation of gut microbiota and metabolic pathways. However, little research had been done to examine the effect of prebiotic and yoghurt intake on the development of lung cancer.

In this massive study data from 1.4 million participants from America Europe and Asia was collected over a period of 8 years. Scientists looked at fibre intake, yoghurt consumption and other known risks including age, smoking status, obesity and much more.

Results showed that both the prebiotic fibre and yoghurt decreased the risk of lung cancer by just under 20% each. But surprisingly, when prebiotic fibre and yoghurt were combined the risk reduction rose to 30%. This suggests a synergistic effect between prebiotics and probiotics.

Prebiotic Seaweed Protects Against Lung Cancer

Pacific Seamoss has a carbohydrate content of 38 percent, of which 34 percent is prebiotic soluble fibre. Pacific Seamoss, like other functional foods, has a wide variety of beneficial health effects because of its high prebiotic activity. It is the metabolites from the good bacteria which cross into the blood stream to create medicine-like effects throughout the body and improve overall health and resistance to disease.

This study suggests that Pacific Seamoss also confers a reduced risk of lung cancer, up to 30 percent if you are a regular yoghurt eater as well.

But I don’t smoke, so I don’t need to worry about lung cancer

“Unfortunately, this is a myth. 45% of females who get lung cancer don’t smoke”

Smoking is still the major cause of lung cancer accounting for about 90 percent of cancers in males but only 65 percent in females. Secondhand smoke is also a leading cause. But there is a high percentage of lung cancer cases that have no known origin and may be genetically linked or just related to getting older.

Lung Cancer is the Leading Cause of Cancer Deaths

Lung cancer is the 4th most common cancer but the most deadly. While more people are diagnosed with other cancers, including breast, colorectal, skin and prostate cancers, lung cancer is the deadliest with about 9,000 people dying each year in Australia and about 12,000 new diagnoses each year. [4]

The following figure shows that most people are not diagnosed until they are at stage IV, and the 5-year survival rates are terrifyingly close to zero at 3.2%. If diagnosed early as few are, then survival is about 65%.[4]

The 10 most common cancers are shown in the Table below.

From AIHW: Cancer in Australia 2019.

Seaweed Protects Against Lung Cancer – What We Recommend

The ratio of good to bad microorganisms in the colon changes when we change our diet. This study showed that daily consumption of prebiotic soluble fibre will reduce lung cancer risk, and this effect will be greater if a probiotic is also consumed.

We recommend a daily intake of the functional food capsules of Pacific Seamoss because seaweed protects against lung cancer and therefore while it has maximum prebiotic benefits, it also has high nutrient and nutraceutical content. Add your favourite low sugar yoghurt to your diet and not only are you enjoying your food, you are doing something positive for your long term health.

Both your gut and your family will love you for it.

References

[1] J. J. Yang et al., “Association of Dietary Fiber and Yogurt Consumption With Lung Cancer Risk: A Pooled Analysis,” JAMA oncology, 2019. (Abstract here)
[2] J. P. McAleer and J. K. Kolls, “Contributions of the intestinal microbiome in lung immunity,” European journal of immunology, vol. 48, no. 1, pp. 39-49, 2018. (Publication here)
[3] H. Kan, J. Stevens, G. Heiss, K. M. Rose, and S. J. London, “Dietary fiber, lung function, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the atherosclerosis risk in communities study,” American journal of epidemiology, vol. 167, no. 5, pp. 570-578, 2008. (Publication Here)
[4] A. I. o. Health and Welfare, “Cancer data in Australia,” AIHW, Canberra2019, Available: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia.

Categories
Biosea Health Health Benefits

Make Seaweed a Habit for Better Health.

make seaweed a habit eat Pacific Sea Moss

If you make seaweed a habit, then the great thing about functional foods is they have benefits without any nasty side effects. Just like medicines, they work best when consumed often enough that the active molecules stay at the optimum level in your body. That’s why we bring you Pacific Seamoss, a functional food, in an easy to take capsule. Let’s be honest, for those of us accustomed to a western diet, it is much easier to take a few capsules than consume a full bowl of seaweed every day. And every day is the key to getting the full benefits.

Our functional food is just food, with benefits.  Unlike many foods that call themselves functional foods but they are just manufactured foods with some compounds added. Think margarine with added sterols.  Nothing is added to Pacific Seamoss.  Its what is in the food itself.

So how do you make Pacific Seamoss a daily habit?

Habit is a wonderful way to make our lives easier. The science shows that having habits reduce stress and free up brain power for other more difficult tasks. Aristotle knew that excellence comes from daily habit but forming those habits can be tricky in the beginning. Here are some tips from the experts to help you along your Pacific Seamoss journey.

1 Set up a reminder.

When learning a new habit consistency is the key. Reminders may be what your busy brain needs to keep that focus in the beginning. They can be as complicated as an electronic calendar entry or as simple as a post-it note on the bathroom mirror. Think about how you use reminders in your everyday life now and apply the same principle to taking your Pacific Seamoss.

2 Context is important.

Creating a place or situation that reminds you of taking your Pacific Seamoss capsules can make the habit rock solid. Perhaps keep Pacific Seamoss near the kettle so your morning cuppa is the reminder. Or in full view on your bedside table so you remember to take them morning and night. Think of a place or activity you do every day and incorporate your Pacific Seamoss into this context.

3 Timing can seal the deal.

Our bodies are chemically designed to make us creatures of habit. We have natural circadian rhythms that release hormones and neurotransmitters throughout the day, triggering time based behaviours. It’s easy to program our bodies to expect things to happen at a particular time. By taking Pacific Seamoss at the same time every day, you will trick your body and brain into sending you an internal reminder every day. Like an internal alarm clock.

4 Link to an established habit.

This is an easy way for quick habit forming. Because Pacific Seamoss is already in capsule form, adding it to your daily medications or vitamins is the easy choice of habit to link to.

5 Choose what works for you.

Look at the habits you already have in your daily routine and decide what makes these habits work. Perhaps one of the above points is the key. Use this knowledge to incorporate Pacific Seamoss into your daily schedule in a way that works for you.
When it comes to getting the full long-term benefits from seaweed, consistency is the key.

THE HABIT QUADRANT

Make Pacific Seamoss a habit – Tips

The four stages of habit are best described as a feedback loop. They form an endless cycle that is running every moment you are alive.

This “habit loop” is continually scanning the environment, predicting what will happen next, trying out different responses, and learning from the results.

Charles Duhigg and Nir Eyal deserve special recognition for their influence on this image. This representation of the habit loop is a combination of language that was popularized by Duhigg’s book, The Power of Habit, and a design that was popularized by Eyal’s book, Hooked.

Categories
Arthritis Biosea Health Reviews

Seaweed Stops Rheumatoid Arthritis in its Tracks

Seaweed stops rheumatoid arthritis with Pacific Sea Moss

Seaweed stops rheumatoid arthritis in its tracks. Dr. Jan Villadsen had spondylarthritis / Psoriatic arthritis and it was gone in 17 days. For the first time in 5 years, his C-Reactive Protein levels went to zero. Symptoms went.

SEAWEED STOPS RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Arthritis is a complex set of over 100 different types – generally categorized as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid. The main difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is the cause behind the joint symptoms. Osteoarthritis was thought to be caused by mechanical wear and tear on joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own immune system attacks the body’s joints. (The cause of osteoarthritis has recently been challenged.) Arthritis affects more than 350 million adults globally.

When people get chronic inflammatory diseases such as spondylarthritis or Psoriatic arthritis, patients may be given disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). DMARDS are a category of otherwise unrelated drugs defined by their use in rheumatoid arthritis to slow down disease progression. The term is often used in contrast to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDS, which refers to agents that treat the inflammation but not the underlying cause and steroids (which blunt the immune response but are insufficient to slow down the progression of the disease).

Dr. Jan Villadsen is a Consultant Specialist Immunology at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark. Dr. Villadsen had suffered from spondylarthritis / Psoriatic arthritis for decades. Despite the treatment of conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD) and combination therapy of sDMARD and bDMARD, there had been no significant improvement. Dr. Villadsen was provided with a synbiotic (seaweed/oilseed rape fiber fermented mix) from a commercial provider Fermbiotics (see www.fermbiotics.com).

The outcome was astonishing. For the first time in 5 years, his C-Reactive Protein (CPR) went to zero. The seaweed mix was also provided to other hospital staff, and they wanted it for weight loss and general health.

DR JAN VILLADSEN

seaweed stops rheumatoid arthritis for Dr Jan Villadsen

What Is this Research?

This research work comes out of the Macro Cascade project of the European Union Horizon 2020 program, where the primary aim is to get novel feed products for pigs to avoid using antibiotics. The product is made with brown seaweeds (Saccharina and Ascophyllum) and rapeseed waste and fermented with lactobacillus yeasts.

The current research between Fermbiotics and the Aarhaus Hospital is a clinical trial of 257 patients to look at this outcome more broadly with Dr. Villadsen and Dr. Henning Glerup.

 Seaweed stops Rheumatoid Arthritis

Gut health is now known to be very important in a whole range of autoimmune diseases including:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Psoriasis
  • Diabetes mellitus 2
  • Cancer
  • Autism
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Obesity
  • Allergy and asthma among others.

References

[1] Review: Microbiome in Inflammatory Arthritis and Human Rheumatic Diseases. Jose U. Scher Dan R. Littman Steven B. Abramson 02 September 2015 https://doi.org/10.1002/art.39259

[2] Combined Pre- and Pro-biotic Composition. Compositions comprising fermented seaweed and/or algae WO 2017/077139A1

C-REACTIVE PROTEIN WENT TO ZERO

Seaweed stops arthritis
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
Arthritis Biosea Health Health Benefits

Seaweed reduces Arthritis

seaweed reduces arthritis Pacific Seamoss

SEAWEED REDUCES ARTHRITIS EVIDENCE

The evidence that seaweed reduces arthritis has been demonstrated by a reduction in degeneration of cartilage through potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflamatory and anti-immunogenic actions. Arthritis is one of the most common causes of pain and disability in our aging population and current treatments only address the symptoms of joint disease.  While there are over 100 different types of arthritis, the underlying causes for arthritis are oxidative stress and inflammation in cartilage and in the surrounding tissue. Rheumatoid and osteo arthritis may be caused by different reasons.

Some promising work by  Kerschenmeyer and team in 2017 published promising “in vitro” work with the carrageenan in our Pacific Sea Moss©. While the paper is technical the information is really encouraging. What they said was

“Here we show that the natural polysaccharide alginate and particularly its sulfated derivatives have potent anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-immunogenic properties in vitro. We found that these polymers exert a free radical scavenging activity in a sulfation-dependent manner. In particular, the sulfation degree of substitution of alginate directly correlated with its ability to scavenge superoxide radicals and to chelate metal ions.”

What Conclusions About Seaweed Reduces Arthritis did the Authors Conclude

The data from that paper shows chemical assays performed with alginate (●), and sulfated alginates with DS 0.1 (•), 0.21 (x), 0.48 (■), 0.74 (✮) and 0.98 (▲). Each figure is a different assay. Figure A) Superoxide radical scavenging assay. B) Hydroxyl radical scavenging assay. C) Metal chelating assay. D) Reducing power assay. Dotted line indicates absorbance of the negative control. Results were obtained from three replicates and are shown as mean +/- SD.

There will have to be more in vitro or field trials but the evidence in the lab follows what many have been saying that seaweed reduces arthritis.

REFERENCES

[1] Treating arthritis with algae. A new weapon in the fight against arthritis? Science Direct

[2] Anne Kerschenmeyer, Øystein Arlov, Vera Malheiro, Matthias Steinwachs, Markus Rottmar, Katharina Maniura-Weber, Gemma Palazzoloae and Marcy Zenobi-Wong 2017 Anti-oxidant and immune-modulatory properties of sulfated alginate derivatives on human chondrocytes and macrophages. Biomater. Sci., 2017,5, 1756-1765  DOI:10.1039/C7BM00341B

Categories
Biosea Health Health Benefits Seaweed for Humanity

Health Benefits of Seaweed. 8 things you should know.

8 health benefits of seaweed eating Pacific Seamoss

Health Benefits of Seaweed

Seaweed, or “sea vegetables”, are a type of sea algae that can be found growing along shorelines around the world. Generally, seaweed can be classified by color – red, green and brown. Biosea Health grows and harvests Pacific Sea Moss© or Kappaphycus alvarezii in pristine Pacific waters off the SouthEast Coast of the Philippines. Enjoy the health benefits of seaweed.

Heath benefits of seaweed

People are familiar with the dried, processed varieties commonly used in the making of salads, soups and sushi. However, they may not know this aquatic plant has a number of edible species, each with their own nutritional and health benefits.  

Eastern cultures have acknowledged seaweed as a sustainable and nutrient rich food source for thousands of years. Backed by modern science, there is a growing movement to include seaweed in the Western diet in order to take advantage of the many health benefits.  

1. Potential Cancer-Fighting Properties

Seaweed is a natural source of fucoxanthin. A carotenoid, a class of biological pigment that includes beta-carotene. Fucoxanthin is being actively researched for its many health properties. Brown seaweeds have more than red seaweeds but all contain some.

health benefits of seaweed - helping with cancer

Perhaps the most exciting discovery about this compound is its anti-cancerous properties. Cancer is characterized by the growth of abnormal cells and there are more than 100 cancerous diseases. Fucoxanthin can disrupt the development of cancerous cells helping to slow the advance of the disease. 

Many of the studies on fucoxanthin’s effects on cancer, focus on animal subjects. Scientists are excited by the prospect of developing cancer fighting medications from seaweeds for humans. 

2. Improved Heart Health and Blood Pressure Maintenance

According to the World Health Organization more than 1.13 billion people suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension) and less than 1 in 5 have the condition under control. Hypertension forces the cardiovascular system to work harder, creating pressure within the heart and arteries that can reach dangerous levels.

Symptoms of high blood pressure can be easily ignored unless diagnosed by a medical professional. Known as “the silent killer”, it can cause dizziness, headaches, nose bleeds, vision changes, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting depending on the severity of the condition. 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.

3. Full of Essential Minerals

measuring blood pressure with old woman

Seaweed contains a number of essential minerals including potassium, copper, calcium, zinc, magnesium, and sodium. These minerals, as part of a healthy diet help to lower the risk of both high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. The ingestion of seaweed has been shown to improve the physical structure of the heart in rats.

Potassium especially has been recommended as an important element in helping to improve cardiovascular health. There are many ways to ingest the necessary amounts of potassium, however, 18 g of dried seaweed contains approximately the same amount of potassium as 700 g of spinach. More detail is provided in our Trace Elements in Seaweed analysis for Pacific Seamoss

4. Full of Vitamins

The actual level of vitamins has been poorly studied but check out our vitamin Seaweed is Full of Vitaminsanalysis to see that depending on how the seaweed is harvested, and species may be 30% of your daily requirements of Vitamin B’s or Vitamin D’s

5. Improves Liver Function and Structure

Primarily the liver filters blood coming from the digestive tract, metabolizes drugs and detoxifies chemicals. This important organ also produces proteins that aid in blood clotting.

Seaweed Health Benefits

Compromised liver function can result in a buildup of blood impurities. Chemicals, minerals, proteins, and nutrients that would normally be distributed through the body or filtered out as waste, instead of failing to reach their proper destinations. Sadly, many liver disorders and diseases do not present with outward symptoms until they have progressed further. 

The fiber and nutrients contained in seaweed appear to help purify the digestive tract and improve cardiovascular health, which benefits the liver. Fucoxanthin has also been shown to improve the structure of the liver, as well as the heart.

6. A Natural Way to Promote Thyroid Health

Seaweed contains a rich source of iodine which is necessary for thyroid health. The thyroid produces hormones which help to regulate many of the body’s metabolic functions, such as brain development, temperature, heart rate, cholesterol, menstrual cycles, and breathing.

Seasoned seaweed salad and fresh herbs. Top view. Table setting

A common source of iodine in the Western diet is iodized table salt. For those watching their sodium intake, even small amounts of added salt can be detrimental. Instead, the ingestion of seaweed can provide most, if not all, of the recommended daily intake. However, too much seaweed can lead to an over-saturation of iodine, so moderation is encouraged.

7. Supports Digestive Health and Regularity

In 2008 the recommended daily intake of fiber was 25g for females and 38g for males. As little as 8g of seaweed a day could provide 12.5% of this need. Increased fiber helps the body to flush out toxins and waste, including excess fats. 

Prebiotics are food for the microflora inside the human digestive tract. These foods are often high in fiber, making seaweed an optimal source. Probiotics are foods that contain live microorganisms that maintain or improve microflora. Though research is still exploring the benefits of prebiotics, healthy adults can safely add this natural digestive aid to their diet.

Depending on amount consumed, seaweed is very high in soluble and insoluble fibre. Details are on the label

8. Assists in Controlling Hunger Which Can Aid in Weight Loss

Obesity is a major health concern around the world, especially in industrialized nations. Maintaining a balanced BMI amongst all of life’s other responsibilities can be a challenge for even the most dedicated. 

weight loss

Besides being beneficial to your digestive tract, fiber is a great way to stave off hunger. Fiber lacks calories while also filling the stomach and providing nutrients. Seaweed, already a low-calorie food, is also high in soluble fiber (36.4%) and other nutrients. In addition, the fucoxanthin in seaweed has been shown to aid in weight loss in rats who had been fed a high-calorie diet compared.

Additional Health Benefits of Seaweed

These additional health benefits have been shown in both animal and human studies.

9. Aids in Controlling Blood Sugar and may reduce risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Seaweed’s high fiber composition, nutritional content, and prebiotic properties may promote digestive, liver, thyroid and cardiovascular health. Working in concert, these systems can foster healthy insulin production and blood sugar levels. Enjoy the health benefits of seaweed.

Lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise and genetic predisposition, can affect any of these systems singularly or collectively. Drug reactions, injury, and physical changes to the body such as pregnancy or cancer can also affect how the body processes glucose and produces insulin.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the cells become resistant to insulin and the pancreas is unable to overcome this resistance. Insulin then needs to be introduced into the body to balance glucose levels in the blood. Lifestyle and diet changes can assist the body in stabilizing glucose to insulin levels.

Research has shown that the fucoxanthin lowered the blood glucose, plasma insulin, and water intake in diabetic mice. One human-trial study reported a decrease in body weight that may have been related to the presence of fucoxanthin. The potential benefits for diabetics is high and could prove to help those not affected by the disease to lessen their susceptibility.

10 Boosts the Immune System and Anti-Aging

The not so humble “sea vegetables” is a nutrient-dense part of the average diet in Japan, Korea and China – nations which have been the focus of many recent health studies. It has long been noted by science and the healthcare community that these cultures have extended longevity and overall health when compared to the West.

biosea health one bottle

Seaweed is full of antioxidants which may protect cells from internal and external free radicals. The cancer fighting properties of fucoxanthin may also assist the body in fighting signs of aging created by irregular cell development. These products may have also, anti-inflammatory properties. Skin care products and healthcare techniques which use seaweeds can be found throughout Asia and are steadily making their way around the world.

11. Improves brain function

Check out our post on how seaweed is being studied for improved brain function and reduction in dementia.

12. Reduces Hangovers

There is good evidence seaweed assists in reducing hangovers

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

For more reading, check out these links.