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The Healing Power of
Seaweeds and Algae
The ocean is considered the cradle of all life and foods from the sea have long been prized
by native populations. For starters, plants and animals from the sea are the richest sources of
an essential nutrient not found in most land-based foods iodine. Iodine is a vital component
in thyroid hormones and is essential to the health of every cell in the body. This may be why
unrefined sea salt and seaweeds were often transported far inland as trade commodities in
ancient times.
Most of us are familiar with fish and shellfish from the ocean, but sea vegetables - seaweeds
like kelp and dulse - are not a common part of American diets. This is a shame because these
foods not only contain iodine, they are rich in numerous trace minerals for healthy bones, skin,
hair and general health. Many also contain valuable mucilaginous fibers that absorb heavy metals
and other toxins. They can also be rich in protein and vitamins.
Seaweeds are a type of algae and there are also Fresh-water algae that have health benefits, like spirulina and chlorella. The algae are one of the richest sources of easily assimilated amino acids.
They can help to balance blood sugar and brain function, while increasing energy and reducing appetite. They can also help the body detoxify from heavy metals and other contaminants.
In this issue we shall explore the value of algae and the supplements made
from them.
The Nutritional and Medicinal Value of Seaweeds
The composition of mineral electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and
chlorine) in sea water is very similar to the balance of these minerals in our own blood. In fact,
it could be argued that when animals moved out of the sea and onto the land, they simply carried the saltwater medium their cells needed within their bodies in the form of blood plasma.
Consequently, it shouldn’t surprise us that plants from the sea are rich in the minerals
the body needs to survive. As previously mentioned, one of these elements is iodine, but sea
vegetables can also provide us with other trace elements like iron, copper and zinc, as well as
macro minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium.
Seaweeds are also great sources of mucilaginous fiber, which can absorb toxins, sooth irritated
tissues and act as a bulk laxative. They can be very healing to the mucus membranes of the
gastrointestinal tract. They are also very beneficial for the health of the skin when used in baths,
poultices, soaks or other topical applications because they help to soften and moisturize the skin.
Many seaweeds are used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Generally speaking, they
are considered cooling, sweet, and salty and are indicated when there is swelling or a hardened
mass in the body. They soften the hard, swollen tissues, reduce heat and irritation and help to
loosen hardened phlegm or mucus. TCM, like Western herbalists, also use seaweeds for thyroid
problems, specifically goiter.
The following are some important varieties of seaweeds and their specific nutritional, medicinal values and health benefits.
Detoxify Heavy Metals with Algin (Sodium Alginate)
Algin or sodium alginate is a mucilaginous fiber found
In kelp and other sea vegetables. This mucilage is so good at
absorbing water that one teaspoon, dissolved in a quart of
water, will result in a gelatinous mixture so thick it is difficult to pour. For this reason, algin is used as a thickening agent
in foods to improve the creamy texture of the foods like ice
cream or as a thickening agent in jellies.
But algin isn’t just a food additive. Mucilaginous fiber
is very soothing to the intestinal tissues and skin. Sodium
alginate is used as a medicine to treat acid reflux. The algin
creates a protective barrier on top of the stomach contents
that helps prevent the acid from entering the esophagus.
Algin also absorbs irritating substances in the gastrointestinal tract so they pass out of the body without being absorbed. These include the radioactive
substance strontium 90. One study
has shown that alginate supplements
can reduce strontium 90 absorption
by as much as 83 percent. Studies have shown that it also
absorbs barium, cadmium and radium and it may also help
the body detox from mercury and lead.
Sodium alginate can be used along with Heavy Metal
Detox or MegaChel to eliminate heavy metals from the body.
It is a good supplement to take after having a barium X-ray
or if one lives near a nuclear reactor or is otherwise exposed
to radioactive materials.
Because it also binds to calcium,
zinc and other minerals the body needs, it should be taken
between meals on an empty stomach.
Like salt water algae or sea
weeds, fresh water algae have also
been used as food and medicine
for thousands of years. For example the Aztecs gathered algae
from the great lakes ol Cenral Mexico, dried it and made cakes
from it. The Kanernbu’s, a tribe in Africa. used algae from lake
Johann in SOUP and bread.
Super Algae is an algae supplement containing spirulina and
two other algae species—chlorella and blue-green algae. Chlorella
is a freshwater green algae noted for its chlorophyll content and
as a rich source olvitamins A, B2, B3, iron, magnesium and zinc.
Research suggests it helps to detoxify heavy metals, radiation and
chemotherapy agents. It boosts your immune system and may
help to lower blood sugar and cholesterol.
Other Key Products (seaweed)
Kelp
Dulse Liquid
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