Stress Relief
Seaweed support us through stressful situations by supplying not only magnesium, but also pantothenic acid and riboflavin, two B-vitamins necessary for energy production. Pantothenic acid is especially important for the health of the adrenal glands. The adrenals control many body functions and play a critical role in resistance to stress. When supplies of necessary nutrients like pantothenic acids are inadequate, stressful times can exhaust the adrenal glands resulting in chronic fatigue, reduced resistance to allergies and infection, and a feeling of being overwhelmed or overly anxious.
References
- Blondin C, Chaubet F, Nardella A, et al. Biomaterials 1996 Mar;17(6):597-603.
- Blondin C, Fischer E, Boisson-Vidal C, et al. Mol Immunol 1994;31(4):247-253.
- Ensminger AH, Esminger M. K. J. e. al. Food for Health: A Nutrition Encyclopedia. Clovis, California: Pegus Press; 1986.
- Goldbeck N, Goldbeck D. Plume (Penguin Putnam Inc.) NY, 2001, pp 378-80.
- Terry P, Jain M, Miller AB et al. Int J Cancer 2002 Feb 20;97(6):864-7.
- Wood, Rebecca. The Whole Foods Encyclopedia. New York, NY: Prentice-Hall Press; 1988

Anaemia
Many women suffer iron deficiencies (especially those drinking lots of coffee) or anaemia for a large part of their lives, particularly during their reproductive years. Women need to be more careful than men in monitoring their iron levels, because they generally do not eat as much meat as men and also lose iron when they menstruate each month. Iron is the single most common mineral deficiency in the world  and affects children, women, older people and dieters. It is absolutely vital for a healthy immune system. In clinical tests, blue-green alga has increased the volume of red blood cells in the body, and their capacity to carry oxygen, in thirty days. Scientists think it is the high levels of iron, chlorophyll, vitamin B12, folic acid and protein, which are behind blue-green algae's efficacy in treating anaemia. Blue-green alga is also particularly beneficial in treating long-term anaemia with underlying malnutrition and rapid blood-loss anaemia. In another study, rats that were fed spirulina were found to absorb 60% more iron than those fed iron sulphate supplements, suggesting that iron in blue-green algae is more easily assimilated than iron from other sources. It is due to the necessary amino acid found in Spirulina, which aids absorption. A Japanese study of eight young women whose blood hemoglobin had been affected by long-term dieting were cured of anaemia in 30 days, after taking 4 grams of spirulina after each meal. In another Japanese study, the red blood count of anaemic animals returned to normal within four-and-a-half days of administering algae. Some researchers believe that blue-green alga is so effective in treating anaemia because of its high chlorophyll content (often called 'plant blood'). They think that the body manages to convert chlorophyll into hemoglobin, by displacing chlorophyll's magnesium nucleus with an iron nucleus.
Reference
- By US physician Dr. Gabriel Cousens

Various positive effects of algae
Spirulina that distinguishes itself from other forms of Blue-Green Algae. First, it is the richest known source of chlorophyl. Second, it grows wild amidst an abundance of mineral bed nutrients unlike any other ecosystem currently known. Third, it possess a starch cell wall making all internal nutrients readily available when ingested. Fourth, freeze dries, resulting in the highest retained value of these nutrients all in their original, raw, and colloidal forms. And fifth, this concentrates these nutrients into the richest source of RNA, protein, vitamins including beta carotene, essential fatty acids associated food factors, glycolipids and sulfolipids, and chlorophyll content known. In other words, this species of Blue-Green Algae, processed by freeze drying methods, may be the most nutrient-dense food known. Immune Modulation Both controlled and clinical experiments have repeatedly demonstrated Blue-Green Alga's antimicrobial and antiseptic qualities. Both chlorophyll and RNA are well documented antimicrobial agents. Autoimmune diseases respond favorably to Blue-Green Algae as well. Blue-Green Algae appears effective in treating some forms of cancer, AIDS, and gastrointestinal disorders including ulcerative colitis and duodenal ulcers. Patients with multiple sclerosis or arthritis have also seen improvement. Chlorophyll- Oral infections, brain ulcers, ulcerated varicose veins, osteomyelitis, and infected wounds have all been successfully treated with raw, unprocessed chlorophyll. RNA-A deficiency of tissue stores of RNA will result in the white blood cells being less able to increase their numbers. RNA diminishes significantly in humans during the aging process. Many researchers have noticed that the protein synthesis associated with growth, which is accomplished largely due to the active RNA content of the cells, as well as the biosynthesis (production) of RNA ITSELF, is up to five times as great in young vs. older animals. The significance of this is that in chronic infections, RNA supplementation apparently can induce a needed increase of white blood cells, leukocytosis, to deal with the infection. Indeed the peer-reviewed literature abounds with reports of RNA Therapy's action in combating all sorts of viral infections. The use of yeast RNA effectively stopped the reproductive ability of two such viruses in animal studies. In fact, one study specifically revealed that RNA Therapy will greatly induce the production of interferon,c a most important natural immune enhancer. Furthermore, RNA Therapy greatly enhances the immune system's destruction of cancer. In elaborate studies, RNA was carefully used as a type of vaccine against malignancy. In summary, these are the most important attributes of RNA Therapy: Anti-anoxia/Hypoxia effect, Adaptogenic effect over severe temperature fluctuations, Anti-tumor growth effect, Anti-aging effect, Antiviral effect,   Ergogenic agent, meaning it enhances endurance and overall energy levels, Anti-radiation effects (i.e., X-ray protection), Wound-healing accelerator, Partly reverses inherited and congenital genetic damage (i.e., mental retardation, Down's syndrome.
Reference
- By Dr. John W. Apsley Director of Genesis Center for Wholistic Care and Chiropractic Sciences

Effect on animals immune system
Several initial research projects conducted by Texas Tech, in conjunction with Mississippi State University and Virginia Tech, show that cattle that grazed forage treated with seaweed extract, or directly-fed seaweed meal and extract to cattle and swine, has marked positive effects on animals immune function. “We found that by applying a specific seaweed, Ascophyllum Nodosum, in an extract to the animals that their immune system, or their ability to fight diseases, was enhanced said Pond.“
Reference
- Kevin Pond, Ph.D., chairman, animal science and food technology department.
- Vivien G. Allen, Ph.D., Thornton Distinguished Professor of Forages, plant and soil science department.

Seaweed expel heavy metals
Phil. Dr. Göran Michanek performed a research concerning heavy metals and radioactive substances. He found that brown seaweed Ascophyllum Nodosum could expel heavy metals such as quicksilver, cadmium, led, arsenic and strontium 90 in the whole body but first in the stomach and the bowels.
Reference
- Phil. Dr. Göran Michanek.

Algae rich in vitamin B12, excellent food for vegetarians and vegans.
Chemist Bengt-Göran Österdahl at the national food administration analyzed algae for vitamin B12 using a radiometric assay. All samples of algae contained vitamin B12. The highest levels were found in the algae Spirulina and Ascophyllum that both are included in Algine Plus.
Reference
- The national food administration in Sweden.

Seaweed lower cholesterol
Thirty healthy men with high cholesterol, mild hypertension and hyperlipidemia showed lower serum cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL (undesirable fat) levels after eating spirulina for eight weeks. These men did not change their diet, except adding spirulina. No adverse effects were noted. Group A consumed 4.2 grams daily for eight weeks. Total serum cholesterol dropped a significant 4.5% within 4 weeks from 244 to 233. Group B consumed spirulina for four weeks, then stopped. Serum cholesterol levels decreased, then returned to the initial level. Researchers concluded spirulina did lower serum cholesterol and was likely to have a favorable effect on alleviating heart disease since the arterioscelosis index improved.
Reference
- By N. Nayaka, et al. 1988. Tokai Univ. Pub. in Nutrition Reports Int'l, Vol. 37, No. 6, 1329-1337. Japan

Algae fight bacteria
A study carried out by scientists in Australia has found that chemicals in marine algae can fight the bacteria that cause many of the infections associated with surgery, including the super bug MRSA. Some of these infections are caused by bacteria, which normally lives harmlessly on skin, attaching themselves to implants during operations. People who have surgery have in effect a wound opened up and that does give bacteria the opportunity to gain a foothold. These bacteria can often bond together inside the body and cause infection. Neither the body's immune system nor antibiotics can kill them. In many cases, patients have to undergo surgery again to rectify the problem. However, scientists at the Cooperative Research Centre for Eye Research and Technology in Sydney say their discovery could provide a solution. Jasjit Baveja and colleagues have found that chemicals called furanones reduced the numbers of a bacterium called Staphylococcus epidermidis coating plastic plates by 90% in laboratory experiments. The agents were also found to inhibit the growth of bugs such as Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA, which grows on metal implants and is often resistant to antibiotics. Furanones have previously been identified as the agents that keep a red alga free of bacteria and other marine organisms. The researchers tested their findings in sheep. They found that catheters, which had been coated with furanone had 85% less bacteria after 12 weeks than would normally be expected. Those catheters that had not been coated with the agent were covered in bacteria. The chemical does not kill the bacteria but instead prevents them from coming together, which in turn prevents infection.
Reference
- BBC Health News 2 June 2002 article

Cholera treatment, antibiotic medicine
Seaweeed could yield a new treatment for cholera and perhaps a whole new type of antibiotic medicine, scientists said yesterday. Researchers have found that compounds known as furanones isolated from the some seaweed can prevent the bacteria that cause cholera from switching on their disease-causing mechanisms. Furanones do not kill such microbes but simply "jam" their ability to send signals to each other, the scientists report. This is very exciting as these are the first antimicrobials of their type that have been shown to be effective, said Diane McDougald at the University of New South Wales. The fact that furanones prevent bacterial communication means that they may be effective against a wide range of bacteria that have communication systems, such as the bacteria that cause golden Staph infections and tuberculosis, she says. That would be useful because many bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics. They do so, scientists believe, through natural selection those that survive an antibacterial onslaught create progeny that are resistant. Because furanones don't kill the bacteria, there is no selection pressure for them to develop resistance, McDougald said. Indeed, in a million years of evolution, no natural resistance has been developed by bacteria to these furanones in the natural environment. The discovery has only involved laboratory tests.
Reference
- Pharmawatch

Anti-aging seaweed
Many studies have shown its ability to stimulate regeneration of tissue, accelerate the healing of wounds and inhibit the growth of some tumors. Spirulina's cell wall is also a useful source of fiber and in conjunction with chlorophyll, is valuable for detoxifying the bowel and for the treatment of constipation. Studies have also shown it can enhance the liver's detoxification processes, and consequently, it's reputed to be beneficial for hangovers! At Aston Villa Football Club a five-month trial compared the performance of players taking Spirulina with that of those who didn't. The results were significant according to coach Roger Spry "The players taking the Spirulina seemed to have more energy and recovered from intense exercises more quickly than the others", he says. "One unexpected effect was a noticeable improvement in the condition of their skin and hair". Some scientists think Spirulina may help to prevent degenerative disease and even slow down the aging process, while American researcher Dr. David Steenblock believes it has great potential in the treatment of cancer, AIDS, Epsteir Barr disease and other equally chronic viral illnesses. Chlorophyll, which you can take in supplements derived from green micro-algae and wheat grass, may also help detoxify the body. "Because it absorbs and inactivates toxic materials, people have traditionally taken spirulina for their high chlorophyll content," says Ron Klatz, D.O., president of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine in Colorado Springs. The Spirulina alga has become popular because it's high in chlorophyll and because of its nucleic acids, which may strengthen immunity. This research seems at best preliminary, but it's reinforced by another Japanese study done with AIDS-infected mice that showed some increase in immune function when the mice were fed Spirulina (International Journal on Immunopharmacology, June 1995).
Reference
- Troxler,R. and Saffer, B. (Harvard School of Dental Med. Researchers ) International Association for Dental Research General Session, 1987

Promote Healthy Thyroid Function
Sea vegetables, especially kelp, are nature's richest sources of iodine, which as a component of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), is essential to human life. The thyroid gland adds iodine to the amino acid tyrosine to create these hormones. Without sufficient iodine, your body cannot synthesize them. Because these thyroid hormones regulate metabolism in every cell of the body and play a role in virtually all physiological functions, an iodine deficiency can have a devastating impact on your health and well-being. A common sign of thyroid deficiency is an enlarged thyroid gland, commonly called a goiter. Goiters are estimated to affect 200 million people worldwide, and in all but 4% of these cases, the cause is iodine deficiency.
References
- Blondin C, Chaubet F, Nardella A, et al. Biomaterials 1996 Mar;17(6):597-603.
- Blondin C, Fischer E, Boisson-Vidal C, et al. Mol Immunol 1994;31(4):247-253.
- Goldbeck N, Goldbeck D. Plume (Penguin Putnam Inc.) NY, 2001, pp 378-80.
- Terry P, Jain M, Miller AB et al.  Int J Cancer 2002 Feb 20;97(6):864-7.

Sea Vegetables and Radioactive/Heavy Metal Detoxification
Sea vegetables' effectiveness in treating radiation and heavy metal poisoning is well documented and well known worldwide. The first studies on fighting radiation poisoning with seaweed were started 30 years ago at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Researchers found that alginic acid, one of the important intercellular polysaccharides found in large brown algae like Kelp and Alaria, could reduce the amount of strontium 90 absorbed through the intestinal wall. (S.C. Skoryna et al, "Intestinal Absorption of Radioactive Strontium," Canadian Medical Association Journal 191, 1964) Even the U.S. government has done research on the detoxifying qualities of alginates from Kelp. The EPA's Environmental Toxicology Lab found that alginates could bind and eliminate both radionucleides such as Strontium 90 and heavy metals such as cadmium. They also discovered that Strontium already stored in the bones was re-secreted and bound by the alginates and safely passed through the intestines. Thus the remarkable kelps can help alleviate past as well as present toxic contamination.
Reference
- Canadian Medical Association Journal 191