Sea vegetables are an extremely nutrient rich source of calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium iron, iodine, Vitamins A, B, C, E, K, chlorophyll, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, protein and folate. They also contain all of the trace minerals and micronutrients found in the ocean, which are also found in human plasma, the fluid surrounding our cell membranes, in similar amounts. Because of this, those trace minerals and micronutrients are easily assimilated by the body.

Most peoples diets today are severely nutrient deficient because the majority of the modern diet revolves around land grown foods, which are far inferior to sea vegetables. (They contain 10 to 20 times more vitamins and minerals than land grown plants.) The body starts to break down and becomes more vulnerable to disease when it is depleted of vital nutrients. Eating sea vegetables several times per week, or taking a supplement that contains them, will give your body the good nutrition that it craves and will help to restore your health.

The nutrients found in Sea vegetables:

• Help with weight loss
• Rebuild a compromised immune system
• Protect against cancer
• Remove radioactive and heavy metal toxins from the body
• Restore healthy thyroid function
• Help prevent cardiovascular disease
• Protect against birth defects
• Balance the body’s ph levels to a more healthful alkaline state
• Improve quality of sleep
• Restore mental clarity
• Heal depression
• Repair the negative effects of stress
• Maintain and restore eye health
• Are well known and highly prized, especially among the Japanese, as an anti-aging, beauty aid and will give your skin a healthy, youthful glow and will strengthen your hair and nails.
• Have antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties

SAFETY:

It is very important to buy sea vegetables that have been harvested in environmentally protected areas. My personal favorite company to purchase seaweed from is MAINE COAST SEA VEGETABLES. Their products have been tested for chemical, heavy metal and bacteriological pollution, meet OCIA Organic Standards, have been hand harvested in a sustainable way that respects the environment and have been sun dried at a low temperature to preserve live enzymes. You can purchase these six certified organic varieties of seaweed from them:

ALARIA/WAKAME: Subtle sweet flavor and slippery texture, needs to be put in hot water for several minutes, otherwise it’s too tough to chew. Can be used in soups or salads.

High in fiber, chlorophyll, enzymes, beta carotene, B vitamins, calcium, carotenes, iodine, iron, protein, calcium and vitamin C. Oriental medicine recommends wakame for skin problems, strengthening the hair, as a blood purifier and for menstrual regularity. It also helps to burn fat.

DULSE: Toast it for a few seconds in a lightly oiled pan for a tasty treat, can also be soaked in some lukewarm water and served raw in salads or added to stir fries. You can easily incorporate dulse into your diet by purchasing it in seasoning mixes that are commonly found at health food stores. You can use it to season and add flavor and extra nutrients to rice, salad, soup, potatoes, popcorn etc…

Dulse is a rich source of potassium, iron, iodine, vitamin B6, riboflavin and fiber. Has a full spectrum of minerals, trace elements, enzymes and phytochemicals. Has 300 times more iodine and 50 times more iron than wheat. Fights against the herpes virus, purifies the blood,improves eyesight.

KELP: Kelp is good sprinkled on food, it enhances the flavor. It tastes great sprinkled on rice or popcorn. It can also be added to soups.

Kelp is rich in potassium, iron, iodine, vitamins A, B, C, D, E, K, riboflavin and fiber. It removes heavy metals and radioactive particles from the body, purifies the blood, balances the adrenal, pituitary and thyroid, decongests the lymph system and helps with weight loss. Algin, carrageenan and agar are kelp gels that help to restore gastrointestinal health and improve digestion.

LAVER/NORI: Sweet in flavor, most commonly known as the wrapper that holds sushi together. It can also be sprinkled on salads or into soups.

The highest in B vitamins, is full of trace minerals, iron, vitamins A, C and E, has as much protein as soybeans and is easy to digest. Lowers cholesterol, helps to prevent arteriosclerosis, anti-cancer, prevents stomach ulcers.

SEA LETTUCE: Leafy and dark green. Can be eaten raw, tends to taste bitter when boiled too long. Good in soups and salads.

A good source for iron, iodine, chlorophyll, protein and dietary fiber. Helps to prevent cancer, excellent for healthy hair,skin and nails.

BLADDERWRACK: Can be made into a tea, to experience the healing benefits. (Also is available in supplements.)

Has plenty of iodine and bio available sea minerals, vitamin C,A, magnesium and phosphorous. Used for weight loss, helps normalize the thyroid, a rich source of “fucoidan”- a polysaccharide that cleanses the body of heavy metals.

EDEN ORGANIC FOODS COMPANY offers a high quality line of sea vegetables that have been hand harvested from environmentally protected seas. These are 2 of the seaweeds that they offer that are full of health benefits:

ARAME: Mild in taste, good in salads, soak in warm water for a few minutes to rehydrate.

Rich in fiber, vitamin A, calcium, magnesium and is one of the sea’s best sources of iodine. Helps to reduce breast and uterine fibroids and balance out menopausal symptoms. Also good for maintaining youthful, glowing skin, preventing hair loss and improving vision.

KOMBU: Can be used while cooking beans and brown rice, to tenderize them, making them easy to digest. Tough and chewy, needs to be soaked for a long time before eating it.

Has high amounts of iodine, carotenes, vitamins B,C,D,E, calcium, magnesium,potassium,silica,iron and zinc. Helps to decongest and lowers blood pressure. Contains “germanium”, a potent skin healing agent.

[WhFoods.com]

[Organic Sea Greens-Gifts Of Healing From The Sea -Linda Page N.D. Ph.D.]