There are many health and beauty benefits of seaweed that it would almost seem like seaweed is a wonder drug. And, it really isn’t too far of a stretch to consider it that way.
The benefits to health and beauty with seaweed are numerous and they can be seen as a result of not just adding some seaweed to your diet, but in some cases, applying it directly to your skin.
Seaweed has been used for centuries by people all around the world as a food source and for its medicinal properties.
Today, more people are becoming aware of the possibilities of this unique sea vegetable too.
Using Seaweeds for Health and Beauty
Here are just a few of the most common benefits and uses of seaweed:
Food
Not all varieties of seaweed are edible, but many are. You can add seaweed to your diet in many ways.
Some types of seaweed can be eaten raw others can be fried or baked and then crumbled up in soups, sauces or on salads.
You can add seaweed to your drinks and smoothies. You can even just take a seaweed supplement daily.
Again, depending on the exact type of seaweed, you can get many healthful nutrients and vitamins.
Many forms of seaweed are very high in protein and vitamins B and C as well as minerals like zinc, folic acid, and iron.
Seaweed is also a great source of fiber and can help you keep your body detoxified and cleansed.
Iodine is yet another beneficial ingredient in many forms of seaweed. Iodine is essential to keep your thyroid functioning properly.
Your thyroid can regulate everything from the temperature of your body to the rate of your metabolism.
Fucose and Fucoidan
Fucoidans are bioactive compounds found in brown seaweeds such as Kelp, Alaria, and Bladderwrack.
Fucose is a Glyconutrient. There are 8 saccharides that make up this family:
• Mannose
• Glucose
• Galactose
• Xylose:
• Fucose (not fructose)
• N-acetylglucosamine
• N-acetylneuramic acid
• N-acetylgalactosamine
Fucose can be found in natural products like seaweed and echinoderms. From ancient times humans have consumed them. The original gelatin was often made from seaweed before artificial gelatin was developed.
When handling wet kelp you will experience a slimy sensation. This is largely due to fucoidans on the surface of the seaweed.
When you pull apart the ”slime“ you will see long threads. These are the extended chains of fucoidan polysaccharides(including fucose)
Brown seaweed kelp is used to extract alginates for industrial, pharmaceutical, and food purposes but for a long time Fucoidans were not considered.
Now, research has revealed that Fucoidans have been found to have medicinal benefits like anticoagulants.
Fucoidans are made up mainly of the saccharide fucose. They have been found in brown marine algae and echinoderms like sea urchins and sea cucumbers.
They are used in a number of medicines including ones for anticoagulant and antithrombotic therapy.
There are many different types of brown kelp, which vary in the amount of fucose they have. Research is only just now being done on this little known area of science.
The kelp has been a highly prized food and medicine for many centuries. The substance, extracted from the kelp, Fucus Vesiculosus contains 16 different fucans.
They assist the kelp plant by protecting it and help its cell walls not to get damaged with changing salt concentrations. They also help the kelp and echinoderms with their reproductive systems.
Fucose is also useful for helping the human immune system and assisting the body to ward off infections, diseases and toxins.
Other uses are help with inflammatory conditions and ulcers. Not only the brown kelp but also the Japanese seaweed Mozuku is used for extracting Fucoidan.
Fucose can also have an effect on enzymes by promoting and inhibiting them. It has been found to be helpful against snake venom and bites. By controlling the enzymes that can cause the venom damage.
There are many uses for this useful glyconutrient and it is only just recently that these uses are coming to light.
As scientists do more research they are discovering new uses for this saccharide and the other glyconutrients.
The new research is called Glycobiology and is named after the Glyconutrients they are investigating.
Only during the last 10 years scientists have been researching the family of foods known as the carbohydrates. Because of their complex nature it took time for scientists to understand and be able to analyze them.
Now as they go deeper into their structure and uses they are finding the immense benefits that Glyconutriants hold for the mankind.
Skin and Hair
Of course, adding seaweed to your diet and improving the overall health of your body will also show up on the outside of your body.
You will have healthier more vibrant skin as well as thicker, faster-growing hair as a direct result of adding seaweed to your diet.
But, you can also apply some forms of seaweed to the outside of your body as well. That will help improve the glow of your skin too.
Many people love the feel of a facial cream made of seaweed. They swear by the results and the rejuvenating properties of this cream.
You can also get a facial or full body seaweed wrap. The properties of the seaweed will help oxygenate and detoxify your skin. It can be invigorating as well as really good for your skin.
Relaxing Seaweed Salts
You will need:
2 tbsp. Sea Salt
3 tbsp. Baking Soda
1 tbsp Powdered Kelp
8 drops of Essential Oils
Choose 3 or 4 oils from these essential oils: Cedarwood, Chamomile Roman,
Cypress, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Mandarin, Marjoram, Melissa,
Myrtle, Neroli, Orange, Petitgrain, Rose, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Valerian, Vanilla, vetiver, and Ylang Ylang
You have to:
1. Add sea salt, baking soda, powdered kelp, and oils to jar.
2. Gently shake to mix, mix well.
3. Add to tub of running water.
Dry Skin Face Pack
You will need:
4 tsp. mayonnaise
1/2 tsp. kelp powder
1 tsp. fuller’s earth
You have to:
1. Make into a paste.
2. Apply on your face.
3. Leave on for 10 minutes.
No matter what you hope to accomplish both inside and outside of your body, seaweed can help.
Since seaweed has so many health benefits and it is so easy to add to your daily diet, you might wonder why everyone isn’t eating seaweed or taking a seaweed supplement.
Health and beauty with seaweed can be accomplished by taking a seaweed supplement.
It can also be done by adding various types of seaweed to your daily diet or by using wraps and creams that are made from seaweed, or all of the above.
Whatever options you choose, don’t worry, you will look and feel great!
Very nice article! I really learned a lot from this. Thank you so much for posting!