Everyone is familiar with land vegetables, but relatively very few are aware of sea vegetables and their healing benefits. This is unfortunate as sea vegetables are rich in many nutrients, most notably, one that most people are severely lacking. Even though our bodies of water have become contaminated, it still makes sense to incorporate sea vegetables into the diet, and focus on those sources from less polluted waters. Then, one can truly enjoy all the healing benefits that sea vegetables have to offer.
Sea vegetables nutritional profile
First of all, sea vegetables include a lot of different species of plants, including kelp, nori, dulse, kombu, wakame, bladderwrack, and more. Broadly speaking, they are classified in the group known as algae.
Sea vegetables can be found growing in marine salt waters as well as fresh water lakes and seas. They commonly grow on coral reefs or in rocky landscapes and can grow at great depths provided sunlight can penetrate to the depths in which they live.
Nutritionally speaking, sea vegetables offer the following:
- A very concentrated dose of iodine. Sea vegetables are arguably the most valuable source of iodine found in a whole food.
- A notable source of manganese, magnesium, copper, calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, selenium, molybdenum, and vanadium.
- A good source of vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C, D, E, and K.
- A great source of protein and fiber.
- Rich source of sulphated polysaccharides.
- A quality source of phytonutrient antioxidants, including several types of alkaloids.
- A good source of chlorophyll.
Healing action of sea vegetables
When incorporating a reasonable amount of sea vegetables into ones diet, you can expect to benefit from the following healing actions:
- Blood purification (sea vegetables are very close to human blood plasma, so are great at regulating and purifying our blood).
- Reduces inflammation.
- Chelation of heavy metals, pollutants, and radiation by-products by converting them to harmless salts that the body can eliminate easily.
- Powerful detoxifier, due to its rich chlorophyll content.
- Boost weight loss and deter cellulite build up through proper stimulation of the thyroid gland, which is a key component in a healthy metabolism.
- Lowering of cholesterol.
- Helps relieve constipation.
- Anti-cancer benefits, including lowering risk of estrogen-related cancers, including breast cancer.
How to use sea vegetables in your diet
In the beginning, it may appear to be very difficult to work sea vegetable into your diet. However, once you know how to use them, it becomes quite easy.
A few easy ways to enjoy sea vegetables include:
- Homemade vegetable sushi rolls (wrapped in nori sheets)
- As an alternative to salt in soups, stir frys, rice based dishes, and salads
- As a crunchy, salty snack (see nori chip recipe)
- As kelp noodles (an excellent upgrade to grain produced noodles)
One of the conditions that sea vegetables can have the most desirable effect on is hypothyroidism. If you suffer from this health problem, read Heal Hypothyroidism Naturally, and start to incorporate more sea vegetables into your diet.
Sources for this article include:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=135
http://foodmatters.tv/health-resources/seaweed-superfoods
http://bodyecology.com/articles/planets-healthiest-seaweeds.php
Derek Henry
Derek Henry, Founder of Healing the Body and the THRIVE Academy, used nutrition, supplementation, and a holistic lifestyle to naturally unravel 13 chronic disease conditions that conventional or alternative medical professionals couldn't help him resolve. As a result of this one-in-a-million health transformation and the knowledge acquired in the process, he now educates, coaches, and inspires others to transform their health through a natural and holistic approach. Since 2014, he has helped his THRIVE Academy participants heal over 20 different chronic disease conditions, primarily related to digestive and autoimmune concerns.
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