Health Benefits of Brown Seaweed

Brown seaweed may help prevent damaging effects of radiation!
You can find a Vegan, Gluten Free, GMO free, Raw, BPA free source of Brown Seaweed extract from Earth Shift Products by clicking HERE

by Tracey Roizman
Brown seaweeds, which mostly grow in cold waters of the Northern Hemisphere, form a large and diverse group of marine algae. Some forms of brown seaweed, such as kelp, are a nutritious, traditional food source, or taken as an extract.

Anti-Cancer

Fucoidan, a compound found in brown seaweed, may help prevent metastasis of lung cancer, according to a tissue culture study published in the 2012 issue of the journal "PLoS One." Kelp consumption may be partly responsible for lower rates of breast cancer and other hormone-related cancers among Asian women, according to a study published in the February 2005 issue of the "Journal of Nutrition." In the laboratory animal study, kelp lengthened the menstrual cycle, decreased estrogen levels and inhibited both estrogen and progesterone from binding to receptors on cells. Researchers concluded that kelp supplements may help modulate the endocrine system to help prevent some forms of cancer.

Weight Management

Supplementing with a derivative of brown seaweed known as fucoxanthin resulted in weight loss among obese participants of a study published in the January 2010 issue of the journal "Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism." In the study, 16 weeks of supplementation with a commercial product that combines fucoxanthin with pomegranate seed oil resulted in an average loss of 7.7 pounds and increased resting metabolic rate. Fat deposits in the liver also decreased and liver function tests improved with the brown seaweed extract. Researchers concluded that fucoxanthin may offer potential as a natural weight management supplement.

Radiation Protection

Brown seaweed may help protect against the damaging effects of radiation exposure, according to nutritionist Phyllis Balch, author of the book "Prescription for Dietary Wellness: Using Foods to Heal." A study published in the February 2004 issue of the journal "Health Physics" found that sodium alginate, an extract of brown algae, prevented absorption of radioactive strontium from contaminated milk. Researchers noted that the brown algae extract was highly effective and without toxic side effects.

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If you are like millions of other Dr. Oz fans, you take his helpful advice and you looked into brown seaweed extract that was featured as the latest 'gotta-have-it' weight loss aid, you're on to a good thing!

Keep in mind that a weight loss aid is just that and nothing more -- an aid to the arduous and sometimes exasperating process of lowering one’s caloric intake and increasing energy expenditure in order to lose weight.

In other words, don’t expect it to be like a miracle pill that does all the work for you that you yourself must do with disciplined behavior, proper nutrition and exercise. Now, let’s take a closer look at brown seaweed to see how it merits my seal of approval.

The brown seaweed extract that Dr. Oz touts for weight loss is fucoxanthin as mentioned above is a fat soluble carotenoid similar to lutein or lycopene found in several edible varieties of seaweed, including kelp or kombu (Laminaria species) and wakame  (Undaria pinnatidifida).

In mice, fucoxanthin was found to reduce abdominal fat, improve insulin resistance and lower blood glucose.

Fucoxanthin was also recently shown in vitro to have strong protective effects against breast cancer.

Brown Seaweed

In traditional Chinese medicine, brown seaweed such as kelp (Laminaria spp.) is a cold, salty herb which is said to reduce phlegm, soften and disperse hard accumulations or goiters, treat edema and cleanse the body of fat.
It is known as a medicinal food for the thyroid gland, due to the high amount of iodine it contains.

Seaweeds are also high in other nutrients such as: calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, chromium, copper, selenium and zinc and many B-vitamins.
Brown seaweeds also contain polysaccharides such as alginates and fucoidan.  Alginates have been shown to chemically bind toxic heavy metals and radioactive isotopes and aid in their elimination from the body.

Alginates are so effective at this job that brown seaweed was used to treat radiation sickness in Chernobyl disaster victims.

Fucoidan, another polysaccharide in brown seaweed, is the subject of prolific research -- numerous animal and in vitro studies in the last 10 years have shown that fucoidan has great potential as a cancer-fighting agent; as a treatment for viral and bacterial infections; as a therapy for myocardial ischemia and as an anti-obesity drug.

Taken all together, the research on brown seaweed shows that this food does contain many valuable components: soluble fiber, immune-enhancing fucoidan, detoxifying alginate, minerals, vitamins and antioxidant carotenoids, including fucoxanthin.