SEAWEED :)

     Seaweed.. oh God I love seaweed so much.. I started love seaweed since i was 7th.. My grandma always give seaweed after she traveled to another country.. My friend at elementary scholl always bring me seaweed too, when he come back from long holiday in another country. I always remember him, when I enjoy my seaweed. His name is RICHARD..  

     Now seaweed is the only snack that I allowed to eat (my docter said that). I;ve beenn searching for the benefit of seaweed and voila!! I found this article..

     In that article said that, seaweed can treat some disease such as, fewer instances of obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and other degenerative diseases. Additionally, studies of large groups of people who eat seaweed and algae regularly tend to show that they have less breast cancer than those who eat more meats. Women in Japan, for example, have a lower risk of breast cancer than woman in the United States.

     How Seaweed Offers Cancer Protection

Lignans have been shown to inhibit angiogenesis, or blood cell growth, the process through which fast-growing tumors not only gain extra nourishment, but send cancer cells out in the bloodstream to establish secondary tumors or metastases in other areas of the body. In addition, lignans have been credited with inhibiting estrogen synthesis in fat cells as effectively as some of the drugs used in cancer chemotherapy. In postmenopausal women, fat tissue is a primary site where estrogen is synthesized, and high levels of certain estrogen metabolites are considered a significant risk factor for breast cancer.

In addition to lignans, seaweed is a very good source of the B-vitamin folic acid. Studies have shown that diets high in folate-rich foods are associated with a significantly reduced risk for colon cancer.

     Healthy Thyroid Function

The health benefits of sea vegetables are not limited to cancer protection. Seaweed is also nature's richest sources of iodine, which as a component of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), - both of which are 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.

     Nutrient Prevention of Birth Defects

Additionally, the folic acid so abundant in sea vegetables plays a number of other very important protective roles. Studies have demonstrated that adequate levels of folic acid in the diet are needed to prevent certain birth defects, including spina bifida. Folic acid is also needed to break down an intermediate dangerous chemical called homocysteine. The chemical Homocysteine can directly damage blood vessel walls, and high levels of this chemical are associated with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

     Cardiovascular Disease

Sea vegetables pack a double punch against heart disease. In addition to their folic acid, sea vegetables are also a very good source of magnesium, which has been shown to reduce high blood pressure and prevent heart attack.

     Seaweed for Stress Relief

Seaweed also has been proven to provide support through stressful situations by supplying not only magnesium, but 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.

     Seaweed also very good for skin.  As much as we love to eat it with our sushi rolls, some of us may be hesitant to use to on our bodies let alone faces but after you read this you may change your mind.

Seaweed can offer:

restores moisture levels

revitalizes and firms the skin

nourishes

oxygenate and detoxifies the skin

reduces appearance of cellulite

balances

hydrates

is cell generating

purifying

re-mineralizes

absorbs easily

improves skin texture and tone

makes hair shiny

cleanses

soothes

slows skin aging

protects from environmental elements

contains antioxidants and beta-carotene

So what you waiting for? go and grab your seaweed.. :)