Health From The Sea
By Steven Horne, RH (AHG)

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.

Super Algae for Super Health

Spirulina

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.
Because algae is easy to grow and is one of the highest plant sources of protein, science fiction writers have sometimes depicted a futuristic world in which algae is the major food source. And, like seaweeds, fresh-water algae have a high vitamin and mineral content, giving them both nutritional and medicinal value.

One popular fresh water algae is spirulina, which is a rich source of protein, chlorophyll, carotenoids, minerals and gamma linolenic acid (GLA). It also contains some unique pigments that provide the bluish tint to this blue-green algae. Research suggest spirulina may have the ability to inhibit viral infections such as flu, measles, mumps, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex type 1. It also appears to boost immune activity and inhibit allergic reactions. In practical use, many people feel spirulina boosts energy, reduces sugar cravings and aids weight loss. It is antioxidant and hepatoprotective (liver) and may also help to reduce cholesterol.

Super Algae
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.
The other algae in Super Algae is a blue-green algae from Klamath Lake in Oregon. This algae contains chlorophyll, protein and amino acids, neuropeptides, fatty-acids, B vitamins and beta-carotene. There is some research suggesting ir may be helpful for reducing allergic reactions, boosting immune activity, balancing brain function in ADHD, normalizing blood sugar levels and reducing levels of heavy metals like arsenic.

Many people have found that taking 2 capsules of Super Algae at breakfast, 2 more at lunch and possibly 2 more in the late afternoon has been helpful in reducing sugar cravings and stabilizing mood and energy. It can also boost immune responses, reduce allergic reactions and aid in the detoxification of heavy metals, radiation and other toxins.

Other Key Products (seaweed)
Kelp
Dulse Liquid