Tag: health benefits of seaweed

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Biosea Health

Seaweed Iodine Levels

seaweed iodine levels in Pacific Seamoss

Seaweed iodine levels are good and are an excellent source of dietary iodine intake necessary for production of the thyroid hormone. Many people globally suffer from marginal deficiencies and where you live makes a big difference [1]. Pacific Seamoss has levels sufficient to meet any deficiencies but not too much. The label is here. There is ongoing research on levels of iodine and safety [3] [4] of seaweeds.

Iodine is a trace element required for the synthesis and function of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) thyroid hormones. In Japan, where approximately 20 different types of seaweed are consumed, the majority being wakame (Undaria spp), kombu (Laminaria spp), and nori (Porphyra spp), iodine intake varies from 0.1 to 20 mg/d (average intake, 1–3 mg/d), which can exceed the upper tolerable limits of 600 µg/d (EFSA) and 1100 µg/d (World Health Organization)

The consequences of iodine deficiency include goiter, intellectual impairments, growth retardation, neonatal hypothyroidism, and increased pregnancy loss and infant mortality.

10 Reasons You need Iodine

These are the 10 reasons often provided – but simplification hides complexity! A question is how much is enough, and how much is too much, and it depends on the form of the iodine, the source of your food, additives in food and health.

  • Necessary for metabolism and thyroid function
  • Helps your brain stay sharp
  • Protects the body from toxins
  • Protects from radiation
  • A natural antiseptic
  • A powerful antioxidant
  • Ensures reproductive health
  • Helps prevent hair loss
  • Maintains strong teeth and bones
  • Helps stabilize your mood
  • Iodine is the food of the thyroid, and the thyroid is the “command center” of all your metabolism.

Eliminating Iodine Deficiency Globally

Both insufficient and excessive iodine intake can result in thyroid disease. The term “iodine deficiency disorders” refers to all of the consequences of iodine deficiency, which depend on its severity and the age of the affected subject. When severe iodine deficiency occurs during pregnancy, it is associated with fetal hypothyroidism, mental impairment, and increased neonatal and infant mortality. In adults, iodine-induced hypothyroidism is rare, while the most common manifestation is goiter that progresses to nodular goiter and eventually to thyroid autonomy and hyperthyroidism.

The United Nations World Summit for Children established the goal of eliminating iodine deficiency worldwide in 1990 (30 years ago!) In 2018, Unicef reported progress mostly through programs of universal salt iodization. Approximately 86% of all households worldwide currently have access to adequately iodized salt.

This improvement in iodine nutrition translates into a near elimination globally of new cases of cretinism, the most serious form of iodine deficiency. It has decreased the incidence of goiter and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as stillbirths, while protecting the intellectual capacity of hundreds of millions of children worldwide, with a significant impact on the lives of future generations.

Back in 2013, as defined by a national or subnational median urinary iodine concentration of 100-299 μg/L in school-aged children, 111 countries have sufficient iodine intake. Thirty countries remain iodine-deficient; 9 are moderately deficient, 21 are mildly deficient, and none are currently considered severely iodine-deficient. Ten countries have excessive iodine intake. In North America, both the United States and Canada are generally iodine-sufficient, although recent data suggest pregnant U.S. women are mildly iodine-deficient. Emerging issues include discrepancies between urinary iodine status in pregnant women compared to school-aged children in some populations, the problem of re-emerging iodine deficiency in parts of the developed world, the importance of food industry use of iodized salt, regions of iodine excess, and the potential effects of initiatives to lower population sodium consumption on iodine intake.

In Australia, even though iodized salt is used in bread, the Australian Thyroid Foundation says more than 50% of children and pregnant or breastfeeding women living in Australia have been shown to be iodine deficient, and are at risk of developing thyroid disease.

Salt is needed, but as intake of salt is reduced then people run the risk of iodine deficiency

Beware High Iodine in Kelp

Kombu kelp can contain up to 2.9mg of iodine per seaweed sheet (1 gram). This provides almost 2,000% of the recommended daily intake (6). Excess iodine consumption is well-tolerated in the majority of people but could result in thyroid dysfunction for those who are susceptible. In contrast red seaweeds have “low” iodine.

Type of Iodine

In dietary supplements, iodine is often present as potassium iodide or sodium iodide. In seaweeds, iodide serves the function of an antioxidant, protecting the apoplast (cell wall space) of the cortical cell layers. The iodide was probably the first inorganic and the chemically simplest antioxidant known from a living system. [7]. It mops up H2O2The iodide may change to a potassium iodide salt with the drying process, but there is no literature we have found.

How Much Iodine Do Japanese Eat

Researchers frequently overestimate, or underestimate, Japanese iodine intake from seaweeds, which results in misleading and potentially dangerous diet and supplementation recommendations for people aiming to achieve the same health benefits seen by the Japanese. Zava estimated in detail that the Japanese iodine intake–largely from seaweeds–averages 1,000-3,000 μg/day (1-3 mg/day). Boiling reduces iodine levels.

Conclusions

Although substantial progress has been made over the last several decades, iodine deficiency remains a significant health problem worldwide and affects both industrialized and developing nations. Monitoring of population iodine status remains important. There are vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women and infants. There is also need for ongoing monitoring of iodized salt and other dietary iodine sources in order to prevent excess as well as insufficient iodine nutrition.

Daily eating of seaweed provides iodine in amounts to ensure adequate levels of iodine nutrition as salt intake declines.

References

[1]Aghini-Lombardi F, Vitti P, Antonangeli L, et al. The size of the community rather than its geographical location better defines the risk of iodine deficiency: results of an extensive survey in Southern Italy. J Endocrinol Invest. 2013;36(5):282-286. (Pubmed)

[2] BRIGHTER FUTURES Protecting early brain development through salt iodization UNICEF https://www.unicef.org/nutrition/files/brighter-future_Protecting-early-brain-development-through-salt-iodization-web3.pdf

[3] Kumar M & Sharma S (2020) Toxicological effects of marine seaweeds: a cautious insight for human consumption, Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2020.1738334

[4] Cherry P, O’Hara C, Magee PJ, McSorley EM, Allsopp PJ. Risks and benefits of consuming edible seaweeds. Nutrition Reviews. 2019 May;77(5):307-329. DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuy066.

[5] Iodine Fact Sheet, Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institute of Health (Google Link)

[6] Zava, T.T., Zava, D.T. Assessment of Japanese iodine intake based on seaweed consumption in Japan: A literature-based analysis. Thyroid Res 4, 14 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-6614-4-14

[7] Küpper, Frithjof. (2015). Iodine in seaweed: Two centuries of research. 591-596. 10.1007/978-3-642-53971-8_23.

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Biosea Health Period Pain

Period Poverty- Seaweed?

Period poverty solved by pacific seamoss seaweed

A number of countries including New Zealand and Australia have identified period poverty as a social issue to be fixed. In November 2020 Scotland announced a program as well.

Period poverty is the term used to describe the inability to purchase sanitary products and it presents a significant obstacle to health, comfort, and engagement with school and community activities.

New Zealand tackles ‘period poverty’ with free sanitary products for all schoolgirls was the headline. The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, announced a trial program. More than 90,000 girls stay away from school because they cannot afford pad or tampons.

About 30% of the 1.2 billion women suffer from period pain (dysmenorrhea) and a key issue is they often suffer heavy bleeding. When they have heavy bleeding, they have to use more feminine hygiene products. When the blood loss from a period is greater than 80ml / period or the period duration is greater than 7 days the technical medical term is called menorrhagia.

A consequence of menorrhagia is the women suffer from low iron levels and that sets in train a whole medical intervention with iron supplements and that often results in constipation. The combination of all this can be severe.

Girls in New Zealand high schools will no longer have to pay for sanitary products after the government announced it would foot the bill in an attempt to stamp out widespread period poverty. Prime minister Ardern said sanitary supplies for a monthly period were not a luxury, but a necessity and too many girls were skipping school because they weren’t able to afford pads and tampons. Schools in deprived areas also reported girls being forced to use toilet paper, newspaper and rags in an attempt to manage their period. Fifteen Waikato schools (near Hamilton NZ) – identified as those most in need – will have access to free products from term three of this year, with the programme going nationwide on an opt-in basis by 2021.

Otago University found girls who experience period poverty face lifelong implications “for their health, emotional development, education and career prospects”

Isobel Marshall – Australian Of the Year

At just 18 years of age, Isobel Marshall co-founded TABOO with school friend Eloise Hall, to help women around the world by breaking down stigma around menstruation and providing greater access to hygiene products. In Jan 2021, Isobel was recognised for driving the campaign in Australia conjunction with TABOO and Vinnies Women’s Crisis centre, providing free access to pads and tampons for women who require emergency accommodation in South Australia. Recognising period poverty is not just a big city issue, they also support the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council.

While research about period poverty is limited the available evidence shows that poor menstrual management can affect the emotional and physical health of young women and can influence school attendance. A US study conducted in 2017 found that one in five American girls aged 16 – 24 have either left school early or missed school entirely because they did not have access to period products.

A 2018 survey in the UK by a manufacturer Always claimed 137,700 girls in the UK missed school in 2017 because they couldn’t afford sanitary items. That survey also found that 55 percent of teachers were aware of girls in their school being unable to afford sanitary products.

Poverty Pain in India

Other countries have also identified period poverty. India. Two young entrepreneurs with a charity in South Australia have launched their own social enterprise selling sanitary products whose profits will go to disadvantaged women fighting period poverty around the world.

Period Poverty in Scotland

Period poverty: Scotland first in world to make period products free. Read about this from the BBC in November 2020. Note that this was in politics section, not the health section of the BBC, as reduction of period poverty is a political and social initiative.

Period poverty is when those on low incomes can’t afford, or access, suitable period products.

Seaweed reduces period bleeding and period pain
Buying products (Getty Images)

With average periods lasting about five days, it can cost up to £8 a month for tampons and pads, and some women struggle to afford the cost.

So the Scottish Government decided to make feminine hygiene products free.

Periods Shame

“Period poverty is a real issue that is under-researched,” Dr Ruth Knight from The Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Non-profit Studies based at QUT Business says. In most studies, teachers and researchers say

“They felt that students generally loathe their periods and given periods are a sensitive topic, this compounds the embarrassment and shame in talking about the topic, which may prevent some girls asking for help or advice.”

Staff from study in Australian Queensland schools

Can Seaweed Reduce Period Poverty

We suggest seaweed will make a substantial reduction for period poverty.

  • Seaweed reduces dysmenorrhea (period pain) based on indicative pilot trials and customer feedback
  • Seaweed reduces the burden of menstruation based on indicative data.
  • Seaweed is natural, organic and just a food.
  • Alternative strategies recommended are heat pack, NSAIDS and oral contraception.

Ask us about how seaweed may make a difference to your daughter in this socially vulnerable age and environment.

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Biosea Health Health Benefits

Seaweed and Fibromyalgia

Pacific Seamoss seaweed helps relieve fibromyalgia symptoms

Q. A customer who was looking for period pain relief asked us: I have fibromyalgia – does seaweed help reduce fibromyalgia?

A. We don’t have any participants in a pilot trial for dysmenorrhea who told us specificially they have fibromyalgia. We do have anecdotal feedback from other customers though. Fibromyalgia (for fibro) is complicated as it “rewires” the brain from pain. With Pacific Seamoss seaweed we know most customers say they feel better in a week to 10 days. Over the past decade seaweed is implicated in improvement.

What is Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is often accompanied by fatigue and altered sleep, memory and mood. Checkout WebMD or the Mayo Clinic. People may have widespread muscle pain and tenderness is the most common symptoms.
Medication, yoga, acupuncture, exercise, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and stress reduction may help manage symptoms.

  • Treatment can help, but this condition can’t be cured
  • Requires a medical diagnosis
  • Lab tests or imaging rarely required
  • Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong

Fibromyalgia may be triggered by a stressful event, including physical stress or emotional (psychological) stress. Possible triggers for the condition include an injury or a viral infection.

Will seaweed cause any fibromyalgia interaction?

We have not had any feedback from customers that it has done any harm, and they generally report positive improvements. Some have reported reduced restless leg syndrome. Seaweed won’t do you any harm at all – unless you are allergic to seaweed. About 5% of customers say they have some GI (gastro intenstinal) bloating – but you would do if you starting eating a can of baked beans a day. Most of these already have severe GI issues – and some eat no fibre etc. So the addition of fibre can be a shock when you have none. The majority of others find taking a smaller amount of seaweed (maybe 2 to 3 capsules per day) and eating it with other food removes any issues. Given that one of the strategies is improved diet, seaweed will support that.

Prof Lindsay Brown has been assessing seaweed for intervention in obesity related diseases for the past decade. [3] Kumar worked with Prof Brown and recently wrote a comprehensive review [4].

However, for the past 20 years various researchers [5] have been looking at brown seaweeds and in particular the fucoxanthin compounds for activity in diseases. A search on Google Scholar will show a number of recommendations and some research on seaweed and fibromyalgia. The difficulty is that none have progressed past the lab. The benefits may be as simple as reduction in iodine deficiency as iodine is considered a contributor to fibromyalgia. Pacific Seamoss contributes about 15% RDI (%DV). Other brown seaweeds have higher levels iodine.

Alternative Remedies

There are a range of other strategies, and one that seems counter intuitive is weighted blankets. Why – weighted blankets are commonly used to help with a variety of conditions from ADHD and autism to Restless Leg Syndrome. Even more importantly, these blankets may be able to help manage pain related to fibromyalgia. This blog is a good starter for further reading blog post

References

[1] Fibromyalgia Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354780

[2] Fibromyalgia – WebMD https://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/default.htm

[3] Kumar, S.A., Brown, L. Seaweeds as potential therapeutic interventions for the metabolic syndrome. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 14, 299–308 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-013-9254-8

[4] Kumar M & Sharma S (2020) Toxicological effects of marine seaweeds: a cautious insight for human consumption, Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2020.1738334

[5] D’Orazio, N.; Gemello, E.; Gammone, M.A.; De Girolamo, M.; Ficoneri, C.; Riccioni, G. Fucoxantin: A Treasure from the Sea. Mar. Drugs 2012, 10, 604-616.

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Biosea Health

Seaweed improves health unexpectedly

20 ways seaweed improves health

We know seaweed is healthy. But many people eat seaweed as a food and most do not eat seaweed every day. So the results from customers are really interesting. Responses can be grouped into 4 different areas.

Physical – Exercise and Pain

  • Exercise pain 50% say less pain when exercising
  • Endurance – 28% said they had more endurance
  • 28% said they had specific pain reduction. Backs. Knees. Wrists, Hips, Shoulders. Chris Sly says he does not know why he has less minor back pain, but he is happy to accept it!
  • The reduction in pain allowed them to move freer.
  • Muscle cramps 6% less.

Physical – Specific

  • 55% said their nails are stronger. If you are a male, that’s could be a nuisance, but a few have said their nails are the best for 30 to 50 years! Check out a blog here. 
  • 30% said their hair grew more. Some said 25% faster. (Read More) The bald people had no change!
  • Over 20% reported their blood pressure decreased close to 100% of those who said they had elevated blood pressure.  Improvement was not unexpected based on prior published data.
  • Improvement in the skin. Acne, skin sensitivity were reported by a number of customers.
  • Arrhymythia improved – 3%
  • Change in Bowel – 25% had improved bowel movements (Improvements from those who had diarrhoea or who had constipation)
  • Changes in kidney/bladder – 22% said they had improvement in bladder emptying
  • Two said their restless leg syndrome stopped. They only became aware when they realised that it had stopped for a week.
  • Some, who said they did not complete the survey said their glucose levels were reduced. (Based on tests by their doctors).

Physical – Generic

  • Eyesight 10% of respondees said their eyesight improved
  • Smell 7% says their sense of smell improved and became more sensitive to smells and scents
  • Better bowel movements., improvements with Parkinson’s Disease.
  • 50% said they had less pain when they exercised and 30% more endurance. More testimonials here on this page. 
  • Dysmenorrhea severity and duration improved for 3 of the younger responders. Reduction in duration from 6-7 days down to 2 to 3. Pain scores (1-10 rating) reduced from 8 to 3 for one customer and from 11 to 1. (See Katies story)

Mental – Attitude and Psychological

  • 26% were less anxious and 33% said their moods were better.
  • 28% said they had better sleep.
  • Memory improved for 30%

This does not include some other measures that we know have happened such as improvement in blood glucose levels, improvement in memory or improvement in their cholesterol profile.

Why seaweed improves health?

We don’t know.

  • Vitamins and Minerals
  • Pre-biotic effect on the microbiome
  • Anti-inflammatory responses
  • Other unknown reasons
Categories
Biosea Health Gut Microbiome Health Benefits

Improve your Poo in the Times of Toilet Paper Shortage

There is a great deal of satisfaction in a nice clean poo. Remember the one that is well formed, not too hard, not too soft. The one that just slips out so cleanly that a small two squares of toilet paper will do the clean up nicely. Ahh, that feels good.

This is something very important to consider in this time of toilet paper shortage. The messy poo brigade is forced to hoard roll after roll of toilet paper in fear of never getting a clean wipe resulting in the dreaded skid mark on the undies

Improve your poo with the Bristol Stool Chart

What constitutes a good poo?

Thankyou for the Bristol Stool Chart for giving us way more poo information than we though we would ever need.That beautiful clean, low TP poo is a Type 4, maybe a Type 3. Most of us sit either side of these numbers. And all of us have experienced a “Why did I eat that food court curry?” Type 7 or the “Get me a jack-hammer” Type 1.

Improve your poo – How?

How do I get from the messy clean-up poo to the easy-clean Type 4 poo in this time of TP crisis?

Seaweed is the answer. Our customers have a lot of poo stories to tell us.

Yes, we were surprised about this too.

“My stools are firm and of a good colour – I ain’t pooed like this since I was 12”

Some report suddenly being “regular as clockwork”
Others tell us their ongoing mild diarrhea has cleared up. Some say the same about their ongoing constipation.

Even the dogs on seaweed are having their say. Check out Chris’s little dog Millie

Let’s not smear this lighthearted post with too much science. Let’s not mention the abundance of both soluble and insoluble fibre in the seaweed. Nor, shall we extol the wonders of improving bowel function with healthy gut bacteria. And we won’t even go near the toning of smooth intestinal muscle because of the increased Potassium.

Improve your poo. Baking a chocolate cake with bristol score

Let’s just sit (not too long) with the image of your next short, clean visit to the porcelain altar. Clean, low maintenance and most importantly, toilet paper friendly.

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Beauty Biosea Health Health Benefits

Hair Grows Faster With Seaweed

Hair grows faster with seaweed Pacific Sea Moss

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

hair grows faster with Pacific Seamoss

ANATOMY OF HAIR

hair grows faster with seaweed. Anatomy of hair follicle

HAIR GROWTH IN RATS

hair grows faster with seaweed
(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!
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Biosea Health

Heal Wounds Faster With Seaweed

Wounds heal faster with seaweed. Use Pacific Sea Moss

Heal Wounds Faster – the science

Surprise, surprise! We’ve found yet another incredible health benefit from seaweed. Turns out seaweed is not just great for your nails, hair and overall health, it’s actually works to heal wounds faster.

Our Biosea science team has stumbled across some research in wound healing that will knock your socks off.

In a 2011 study, seaweed was given to wounded rats to assess its effects on the healing process. Those that were fed the seaweed had 100% wound healing over 15 days. Those that were not fed the seaweed supplement only had a 50% healing rate (Muhammad and Mohamed 2011). Basically, those that supplement their diet with seaweed should see their wounds heal 50% quicker than those that don’t eat their sea-greens.

From Mohamed 2011 – hair and wound healing in mice with seaweed [1]

The Real World

Most of us deal with burns, scratches or wounds with a band-aid and some curse words.

But imagine if the healing process really was faster? For young people, regular intake of seaweed could help with ulcers, cold sores or the occasional skateboarding injury. Maybe we’d live a little bit more on the edge (in a good way, of course). But what about that angry red zit you’ve had to pop? Imagine if it healed quickly enough to not scar, or ruin Friday date night? Perhaps seaweed could be the answer to quick-healing blemishes. In our pilot trial for dysmenorrhea, 60% of the participants said their skin healing was faster.

Customers Report Wounds Heal Faster

Over a dozen customers of Pacific Seamoss report they have gone into surgery for skin operations, such as Basal Cell Carcinoma removal, Arthroscopic surgery, knee surgery and when they return to get the stitches out, the surgeon or nurse are surprised wounds haved healed much faster than expected. These are anecdotal studies. But when a surgeon who has done thousands of operations comments on speed of recovery, its time to pursue some more.

Heal Wounds Faster if You are Older

For someone over 70, a significant wound can perpetuate into something much worse. A wound or ulcer could be the difference between vitality and immobility; even seeing the grandkids or doing the things that bring them joy.
We all know that grandma would probably not be keen to eat 10 rolls of sushi a day, but a couple of capsules from Biosea health could make a massive difference to her life. For the youngins, we may not be incapacitated from a minor injury but next time we take a tumble, we’ll be grateful that we had our daily dose of sea-greens to see us through.

So, try seaweed out for yourself and see if it makes a difference. But most importantly, make sure you get grandma onto it (and maybe even mum and dad). They’ll thank you later.

WOUND HEALING PHASES

heal wounds faster process - over 12 months
The cycle of wound healing with 4 distinct phases. Diagram from [2]

References

[1] Samaneh Ghasemi Fard, Fatemeh Tash Shamsabadi, Mozhdeh Emadi, Goh Yong Meng, Kharidah Muhammad and Suhaila Mohamed (2011). “Ethanolic extract of Eucheuma cottonii promotes in vivo hair growth and wound healing.” J. Anim. Vet. Adv 10: 601-605. (MedWell) DOI10.3923/javaa.2011.601.605

[2] Panayi A.C., Reitblat C., Orgill D.P. (2020) Wound Healing and Scarring. In: Ogawa R. (eds) Total Scar Management. Springer, Singapore (DOI)

Seaweed – not just good food, Food for Health and Heal wounds faster!

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Beauty Biosea Health

Nails Grow Stronger with Seaweed

Nails grow stronger with Pacific Sea Moss

“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

nails grow 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.

  1. Take a biotin supplement.
  2. Minimize exposure to water.
  3. Stay hydrated.
  4. Pay attention to your diet.
  5. Be careful about the products you use.
  6. Avoid using gel or acrylic nails, if possible.
  7. Give your nails a break from polish.
  8. Keep your nails on the shorter side.
  9. Don’t use your nails to do things.
  10. Use lotion on your nails
  11. Avoid drying products
  12. Change how you file your nails
  13. Use cleaning products with caution
  14. Take a closer look at your shampoo
  15. 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
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Beauty Biosea Health Health Benefits

Naturally Healthy Nails with Seaweed

Nails grow stronger naturally healthy nails with seaweed

Naturally Healthy Nails with Seaweed

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:

Ethyl Acetate, Alcohol Denat, Butyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Tosylamide/Formaldehyde Resin, Aqua/Water/ Eau, Isopropyl Alcohol, N-butyl Alcohol, Triphenyl Phosphate, Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate, Acrylates Copolymer, Ethyl Tosylamide, Benzophonone 1, Dimethiconol, Mercaptopropionic Acid, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone, Calciumpantothenate, Ascorbic Acid, Keratin Amino Acids, Sodium Chloride, Violet 2 (Ci 60725).

Ingredients for Seaweed. Seaweed.

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)
  • Vitamin A: 30%RDA
  • Vitamin C: 30%
  • Vitamin B – especially B1, B3 and B6:  10%
  • Iodine: 15%
  • Iron: 9%
  • Magnesium: 6%
  • Seaweed is full of trace elements such as selenium (elements in this table)

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

naturally healthy nails anatomy
Nails are complex. What can you do for naturally healthy nails

LOOK AFTER NAILS, NATURALLY

healthy nails naturally - avoid nail saloons
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

Categories
Beauty Biosea Health Period Pain

Reduce period pain with Seaweed

Reduce period pain - dysmenorrhea naturally with seaweed

Reduce period pain

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.

Period PainReduce painful periods with seaweed. Pain score

Reduce Period pain with seaweed
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)
  • Vitamin A: 30%RDA
  • Vitamin C: 30%
  • Vitamin B – especially B1, B3 and B6:  10%
  • Iodine: 15%
  • Iron: 9%
  • Magnesium: 6%
  • Seaweed is full of trace elements such as selenium (elements in this table)

IMPROVEMENT IN GUT HEALTH

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).

[ 7] American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (Jan 2015). “FAQ046 Dynsmenorrhea: Painful Periods” (PDF).

[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. PMID 19821293.

[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)