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We're exposing health secrets from under the sea:Algae nutritional information on
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"Generally, however, the red and green seaweeds are primarily composed of carbohydrates, an energy source for the body, whereas the brown seaweeds are high in soluble fiber and iodine. This is one reason that it is considered good practice to eat from all three seaweed groups."
- Valerie Gennari Cooksley, RN, author of SEAWEED
CHLOROPHYTA
Overview:
Chlorophyta is a macroalgae packed with nutrients and used as a food with a good source of phytochemicals. It contains more proteins than Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta.
There are 1050 species of Chlorophyta and contains the highest chlorophyll content compared to red and brown seaweeds. They grown in relatively shallow waters.
- Chlorophyta has significant amounts of essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, chlorophyll, carotenoids including beta-carotene, vitamins, minerals, unique pigments and polysaccharides.
- Chlorophyta also has probiotic compounds that enhance health through preserving resident intestinal microflora, especially lactic acid bacilli and bifidobacteria, and decreasing the level of Candida albicans.
Space research to determine the suitability of dried Chlorophyta as a protein source for astronauts looked at rats fed for sixteen weeks on a slightly deficient diet supplemented with 0-40% of a dried preparation of Chlorophyta. Control groups were fed a normal rat diet. No significant differences between groups were found in food intake, growth rate or carbon dioxide production and all animals remained apparently healthy, and had similar organ weights. The study suggests that Chlorophyta may be used as a protein source in rat diets. Researchers also found that Chlorophyta produces an immunostimulating effect by enhancing the resistance of humans, mammals, chickens and fish to infections by stimulating the production of antibodies, cytokines, macrophages, T and B cells.
- Treatment of 60 patients with chronic diffuse liver disorders and seventy experimental animals with liver disease from toxins suggest clinical-and-laboratory effectiveness of Chlorophyta for preventing liver damage.
- Liver-protective properties of Chlorophyta are attributed to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, membrane-stabilizing, and immunocorrecting actions.
- Chlorophyta sulfolipids have also proved to be active against HIV and whole Chlorophyta biomass against herpesvirus, cytomegalovirus, and influenza virus.
- Chlorophyta extracts have also been shown to reduce cholesterol, inhibit development of abnormal growths and prevent allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.
- In summary, Chlorophyta, or green algae, is very rich in natural beta-carotene, Vitamin D and GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid) and contains all nine essential amino acids.
More green algae nutritional information...
PHAEOPHYTA
Overview:
Phaeophyta grows along colder, subtidal areas generally five to seven feet below sea level. These brown edible seaweeds are rich in vitamins and minerals.
- Phaeophyta is an excellent source of iodine, a major component of thyroxine and triiodothyronine, hormones that affect weight gain and cellular metabolic rates. One to two milligrams of iodine per week are required to prevent goiter.
- Based on epidemiological studies, thyroid disease is practically unknown in people who regularly eat Phaeophyta.
- Based on human studies, 4mg of iodine daily completely resolves cyclical breast lumps and cysts, usually within only two months.
- The alginates in Phaeophyta (complex polysaccharides), like other soluble fibers, have a soothing and cleansing effect on the digestive tract and are known to prevent the absorption of toxic metals like mercury, cadmium, plutonium and cesium.
- Studies have shown that alginate supplements can reduce strontium-90 absorption from the intestinal tract by as much as 83%.
- The U.S. Atomic Energy Commission advocates 2 tablespoons of alginate supplement per day to prevent strontium-90 absorption and related diseases.
- Phaeophyta alginates are also hydrasorbent laxatives, compounds that swell to 20 times their original volume by absorbing water, which is much greater than other types of bulk laxatives such as psyllium and bran.
- Phaeophyta alginates are effective in treating habitual constipation and gastric bloating because they swell in intestinal juices rather than water or gastric juices and are non-irritating.
- Several studies also document a direct, stimulatory effect of seaweed on the immune system.
- Phaeophyta has been shown to inhibit 95% of abnormal cell growths, and cause regressions in 6 out of 9 animals tested.
- In-vitro studies of hot water extract of Phaeophyta on abnormally growing human cells showed more than 50% apoptosis.
- Phaeophyta also has antiviral activity against influenza virus due to a very active inhibitor of viral and bacterial neuraminidase.
More brown algae nutritional information...
RHODOPHYTA
Overview:
Rhodophyta or red algae vary from orange to pruple shades. They are found three hundred feet deep into the sea where blue and violet wavelengths are capable of penetrating.
- Rhodophyta is rich in vitamins and minerals including iodine and can be eaten raw, roasted, boiled, fried or dried as a relish.
- The custom of eating Rhodophyta, an acquired taste, dates back to at least 600 A.D. in Northern Europe.
- Rhodophyta used as a medicine is said to have a tonic effect and was traditionally used to treat scurvy and constipation.
- Dried, powdered Rhodophyta was also traditionally used to treat worms.
- Externally, a plaster of the fresh blades is used to treat skin diseases, headaches, and to help expel placenta.
- Rhodophyta is an excellent source of iodine, a major component of the human hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine that affect weight gain and cellular metabolic rates. One to two milligrams of iodine weekly are required to prevent goiter.
- In simple goiter the basal metabolic rate is somewhat lowered, and in toxic goiter it is elevated.
- Based on epidemiological studies, thyroid disease is practically unknown in people who regularly eat edible seaweed.
- Natural, organically-bond iodine extracts from Rhodophyta are available commercially for the treatment and prevention of thyroid disease. Based on human clinical trials, 4mg of molecular iodine daily completely resolves cyclical breast lumps and cysts, usually within only two months.
- Rhodophyta has also been employed to help prevent fibroid tumors of the breasts, the uterus or the ovaries and in cases of swollen lumps or enlargements of the intestinal area also known as lymphatic areas.
More red algae nutritional information...
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