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Sea Vegetation (Seaweed) Nutrition From Our Oceans

“I have been practicing holistic medicine for almost 21 years, and during that time I have consumed and recommended sea vegetables/seaweed to my clients and friends. The are many reasons  why I include sea vegetables in my diet and why I recommend them to my clients. Sea vegetables aid in healthy weight loss, the control and elimination of cellulite, detoxification, creating to beautiful hair and skin, strong thyroid and immune function, and much more.  I consistently witness these benefits in my practice first-hand, so I know for a fact that these benefits are possible.  Sea vegetables can transform your health! I know that when I eat sea vegetables, I am tapping into an ancient and restorative source of all life – the ocean. Because I feel so strongly about the beneficial health properties of sea vegetables, California Academy Of Health has made them the primary, active ingredient in its one-of-a-kind, comprehensive liquid daily supplement – Liquid Power Multi-V.

I know once you start to include sea vegetables into your diet, every day, you’ll see and feel the difference in your health. I know I do.”

Dr. Marcus Ettinger

Sea Vegetables – Sea Vegetation – Seaweed – Kelp Information:

Sea vegetables provide all of the minerals and trace minerals required by our body’s physiological functions, in quantities that greatly exceed those of land plants. In fact they contain every natural element found on the periodic table of elements. These minerals, once absorbed, are now plant-based, so they are vegan friendly and they include: calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, iodine, manganese, chromium and many more. Sea vegetables also provide fiber, enzymes, proteins, complex carbohydrates and vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B6, B12, immune and endocrine modulating compounds – a veritable vegetarian and edible, medicine chest.

Current research into the health properties of sea vegetables will reveal that it is being looked at for its positive effects on cancer prevention, cardiovascular health, as an antioxidant and degenerative disease combatant, detoxifier, infection control, intestinal cleanser and healer, respiratory enhancer, sexual health and hormone support, thyroid booster, weight-loss aid, and wound healer. Specific phytochemicals, found only in sea vegetables, have been shown to absorb and eliminate radioactive elements and heavy metal contaminants from our bodies. Other recent research of sea vegetables demonstrates the inhibition of tumor formation, reduction in cancerous growths, benefiting normal cholesterol levels, endocrine and nervous system modulation, as well as possessing anti-viral and immune modulating properties.

For centuries cultures around the world have been harvesting sea vegetables/seaweed as a food source and natural healing substance. The Japanese people for centuries have integrated sea vegetables, as a food source into their daily lives. Much research has been done on the longevity of the Japanese and their lack of heart problems, kidney problems, and other chronic ailments. The Japanese have used this food/medicine to relieve a multitude of ailments including arthritis, osteoporosis and low blood sugar. Even the ancient Greeks used sea vegetables for body building, to sacrifice to the Greek gods, and as a food source. Hawaiians and Ancient Polynesians used sea vegetation for food, heart problems, arthritis pains, and a lot more. They even put a certain type of sea vegetation on wounds to prevent infection from occurring. These cultures are just a small example of how far back sea vegetables have been used.

Sea Vegetation is renewable and grows globally in most coastal regions. The life of a kelp plant is about three years and, spent in a tidal flow that reverses direction every six hours. The kelp plant has a root-like holdfast that fixes to rocky surfaces; a long slender stalk or stipe; and long, leaf-like blades or fronds, which are the major site of photosynthetic activity. The kelp plant is supported in the water by gas-filled bladders on each frond called pneumatocysts. The holdfast is cone-shaped and can grow up to 2 feet in diameter, in large plants.

The vitality and dynamic versatility of sea vegetation/seaweed easily translates, in a bio-available format, for the consumption and utilization by humanity, of this one of a kind, ultimate Superfood.

Treating mild iodine deficiency boosts brain power!

By: Amy Norton

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Iodine supplements may improve mental function in children with even mild deficiencies in the nutrient, a small study suggests.

Iodine is a chemical element necessary for normal growth and development of the brain and body. Because the body does not make iodine, it must be obtained from the diet — from sources like seafood, dairy products, plants grown in iodine-rich soil and iodized table salt.

Severe iodine deficiency has long been known to cause mental impairment, stunted growth and other problems in children. Such deficiency remains a major problem in parts of the world — typically where the soil is iodine-poor, people eat little seafood and uae salt that is not iodized.

But there has also been a recent re-emergence of milder iodine deficiency in certain countries, including New Zealand and Australia — thought to be due to factors like declining use of iodized salt and changes in dairy-product manufacturing that have lowered iodine levels.

Whether mild deficiency affects children's mental functioning, and whether the problem should be treated, is still in question.

To study the issue, researchers in New Zealand randomly assigned 184 mildly iodine-deficient children to take either a tablet containing 150 micrograms of iodine or a placebo pill every day for 28 weeks.

At the end of the study, children in the iodine group showed an overall improvement on two standard cognitive tests that gauge problem-solving abilities. And they outperformed children who received the placebo.

Iodine is necessary for the body to produce thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism. The traditional view was that since these hormone levels are still within normal range when a person is mildly iodine deficient, the lack of iodine may have no health effects.

The current findings, however, suggest that mild iodine deficiency "could prevent children from attaining their full intellectual potential," the researchers report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Still, it is too soon to start routinely treating children with mild deficiencies, according to Dr. Sheila A. Skeaff, a senior lecturer at the University of Otago in Dunedin and one of the researchers on the work.

"More studies should be done," she told Reuters Health in an email. "We found a small effect in children (and) we don't know if this is permanent or not."

Skeaff pointed out that there are no standard tests for mild iodine deficiency. The best solution for people who think they might be deficient is to regularly eat foods high in iodine and/or use iodized table salt.

Note:  We think it is important to point out here that just using more iodized salt is really not the healthiest alternative.  Read this article to look at one of the healthier alternatives!

CAOH

Take a look at our very popular liquid Power Multi-V™! Liquid Power Multi-V™ is Perfect For the Entire Family! 100% vegetarian! A proprietary blend of 9 Sea Vegetables, Whole Chlorella and Phytoplankton! Contains a "Synergy Blend™" of fruits, vegetables, antioxidants, and phytonutrients! Rich in vitamins and minerals! The most unique and complete liquid nutritional supplement available.  There is literally nothing else like it on the market.  You must compare the ingredients to other brands – nothing is more potent or comprehensive. Liquid Power Multi-V™ is a powerful addition to your daily nutritional needs.  It makes other products look like plain old water!  Click here for details!

Iodine deficiency epidemic

Although most of us believe we are not deficient in iodine since the fortification of salt with iodine, the fact is most people are deficient and don't know it.  Due to changes in food intake, eating patterns and food production methods, iodine intake has been decreasing in the U.S. since the early 70's.  Even worse, we are exposed to increasing levels of environmental toxins that either block the absorption of iodine or block its actions in the body.

According to the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES), 24-hour urine levels of iodine have decreased from average levels of 320 mcg/L during 1971-1974 to 165 mcg/L in 2001-2002 – a drop of almost 50%.^1,2  NHANES (2003-2004) found a urinary iodine level of <50 mcg/L in 12% of the U.S. population, indicating severe deficiency (<100 mcg/L is indicative of deficiency).³  Iodine levels in the breast milk of nursing mothers in Boston showed that only 47% contained sufficient amounts of iodine to meet infant requirements.⁴  This dramatic drop in iodine intake is made worse by an increasing level of iodine uptake inhibitors – perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate – in the food supply and environment.

Why has iodine disappeared from our diet?

Iodized salt is very effective in normalizing iodine intake.  The problem is we eat less iodized salt.  This has occurred for 2 reasons: first, we've all been told to decrease salt intake because excess consumption can elevate blood pressure.  However, the more important cause is that almost everyone now eats more processed foods and meals at restaurants—most of these do not use iodized salt!  This is made worse by the fact that the iodized salt sold for home use often contains less iodine than stated on the label and two other good sources of iodine, bread and milk products, now contain very little due to changes in how they are produced.

Dairy products used to contain a significant amount of iodine since it was used to disinfect cow udders and dairy processing equipment.  Now, however, antibiotics and other methods are used instead.  In addition, less iodine is used in feed supplements.  With these changes, the average iodine content of U.S. whole cow's milk had decreased from 602 mcg/L in 1978 to 155 mcg/L in 1990.  A 2002 study found as little as 88 mcg/L, less than 15% of those measured in 1978.⁵ This is worsened by the substitution of soft drinks for milk by children, adolescents and adults so we drink less milk which has less iodine.^6,7,8

Another significant source of iodine in the past was bread since iodated-based bread conditioners were used to prolong shelf life.  Today, most commercial bakeries are using bromated-based conditioners instead.

Iodized salt may have less than we think because it evaporates over time from salt containers and shakers.⁹ The rate of evaporation is increased by humidity and heat. In the summer in humid areas of the country, the half life of iodine in salt can be as little as one week! Many in the natural products field use sea salt as a supposed better alternative to regular salt.  Unfortunately, it is not iodized.

What happens when iodine levels are too low?

Everyone is aware that iodine is required to produce thyroid hormones, so if levels are too low people suffer hypothyroidism.  This is one reason the incidence of clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism affects 10-15% of the population, especially women.  Probably more prevalent are the other problems found in people with low to marginal levels of iodine.  It is well known that low iodine levels in fetuses and children leads to impaired mental development and research has now shown an increased incidence of fibrocystic breast disease and breast cancer.^10,11  Some research has also shown that iodine deficiency may contribute to obesity, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), psychiatric disorders, and fibromyalgia.

Are seaweeds/sea vegetables a good source of iodine?

Although sea vegetables, i.e., seaweed, are common in many traditional diets – especially the Japanese, they are not commonly consumed in the U.S.  Most people think of sea vegetables as a food source for iodine.  Some are, but many aren't, and you have to eat more than just a few sprinkles. Also, some may be contaminated with toxic metals.

As the table below shows, the amount of iodine in seaweed varies greatly.¹²

Bottom Line

Iodine deficiency is a common and growing problem in North America. Fortunately, eating enough of the right kind of seaweed will replenish iodine supplies.

References

1. Hollowell JG, Staehling NW, Hannon WH, et al. 1998 Iodine nutrition in the United States: trends and public health implications: iodine excretion data from the National Health and Nutrition Surveys I and III (1971–1974 and 1988–1994). J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Oct1998;83(10):3401-8

2. Caldwell KL, Jones R, Hollowell JG. Urinary iodine concentration: United States National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2002. Thyroid. Jul2005;15(7):692-9

3. Caldwell KL, Miller GA, Wang RY, et al,. Iodine status of the U.S. population, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2004. Thyroid. Nov2008;18(11):1207-14

4. Pearce EN, Leung AM, Blount BC, et al. Breast milk iodine and perchlorate concentrations in lactating Boston-area women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2007;92:1673-1677

5. Pearce EN, Pino S, He X, et al. Sources of dietary iodine: bread, cows' milk, and infant formula in the Boston area. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Jul2004;89(7):3421-4

6. Keller KL, Kirzner J, Pietrobelli A, et al. Increased sweetened beverage intake is associated with reduced milk and calcium intake in 3- to 7-year-old children at multi-item laboratory lunches. J Am Diet Assoc. Mar2009;109(3):497-501

7. Rampersaud GC, Bailey LB, Kauwell GP. National survey beverage consumption data for children and adolescents indicate the need to encourage a shift toward more nutritive beverages. J Am Diet Assoc. Jan2003;103(1):97-100

8. Bleich SN, Wang YC, Wang Y, et al. Increasing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among US adults: 1988-1994 to 1999-2004. Am J Clin Nutr. Jan2009;89(1):372-81

9. Dasgupta PK, Liu Y, Dyke JV. Iodine nutrition: iodine content of iodized salt in the United States. Environ Sci Technol. Feb2008;42(4):1315-23

10. Patrick L. Iodine: deficiency and therapeutic considerations. Altern Med Rev. Jun2008;13(2):116-27

11. Aceves C, Anguiano B, Delgado G. Is iodine a gatekeeper of the integrity of the mammary gland? J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia. Apr2005;10(2):189-96

12. Teas J, Pino S Critchley A and Braverman LE. Variability of Iodine Content in Common Commercially Available Edible Seaweeds. THYROID 2004;14:836-41

Author: Joseph
Pizzorno, ND -  November 2009

Dr. Joe Pizzorno is the founding president of Bastyr University and editor-in-chief of Integrative Medicine, A Clinician's Journal. He is the co-author of seven books including the internationally acclaimed Textbook of Natural Medicine and the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, which has sold over a million copies and been translated into six languages.

Sea Vegetables are an important part of our multi-nutrient Liquid Power Multi-V™