The physicological benefits of
seaweed, spirulina,
and other marine algae
Portions of the text below were copied with permission from Dr. Michio Kushi, author of "The Cancer Prevention Diet".
There is much that has been attributed to seaweed and algae. It has been acknowledged as a detoxifyer, a balanced nourishment and a miraculous healing plant. Below we will list its attributes along with whatever supporting studies we can offer. Before proceeding, let's first define what are seaweeds and marine algaes...
Definition:
Algae: A group of vegetal life forms that inhabit a marine environment that, unlike their terrestrial cousins, have no roots, leaves, seeds, flowers or vascular systems. They nourish themselves through osmosis attracting gases and nutrients dissolved in the watery environment that is their home. Similar to land plants, they contain chlorophyll and are responsible for 75% of the oxygen supply of our planet.
There are an estimated 25,000-30,000 species of algae. Seaweeds are algae, but not all algae are seaweeds. The algae family is devided into two main groups: unicellular algae such as plankton and spirulina, and more complex forms we commonly call kelp or seaweed.
Detoxification
The question whether seaweed can help rid the body of toxins was addressed by a group of Canadian researchers at McGill University of Montreal. They studied a polysaccharide called sodium alginate which is present in strong quantities in brown algae...Laminarae, Fusus, Ascophyllum. It was found that sodium alginate selectively bound radio-active strontium and eliminated it from the body.
"In laboratory experiments, sodium alginate prepared from kelp, kombu (Laminaria) and other brown seaweeds from off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts was introduced, along with strontium and calcium, into rats. The reduction of radio-active particles in bone uptake, measured in the femur, reached as high as 80% with little interference with calcium absorption."
Additionally, Yukio Tanaka et. al. reported the following in "Studies on Inhibition of Intestinal Absorption of Radio-Active Strontium," (Source: Canadian Medical Association Journal 99:169-75):
The evaluation of biological activity of different marine algae is important because of their practical significance in preventing absorption of radioactive products of atomic fission as well as in their use as possible decontaminators."
Anti-Tumor Properties
In 1974 a report was published by I. Yamamoto et. al. in the Japanese Journal of Experimental Medicine, (44: 543-46). These scientists reported that several varieties of Kombu Mojaban (common sea vegetables eaten in Asia and traditionally used as a decoction for cancer in Chinese herbal medicine) were effective in the treatment of tumors in laboratory experiments. "In three of four samples tested, inhibition rates in mice with implanted sarcomas ranged from 89-95%."
In fact, the researchers reported that "The tumor underwent complete regression in half of the mice in each treated group." Similar experiments on mice with leukemia have also shown promising results.
Cholesterol Control
1972: Japanese researchers reported that wakame, a common sea vegetable eaten in Asia, suppressed the reabsorption of cholesterol in the liver and intestine in laboratory experiments. (Source: N. Iritani and S. Nogi "Effects of Spinach and Wakame on Cholesterol Turnover in the Rat." Atherosclerosis 15:87-92)
Nuclear Fallout and Radiation
In 1964 a scientists at the Gastro-Intestinal Laboratory at McGill University in Montreal demonstrated that alginates derived from Laminaria could reduce by 50-80% the amount of strontium absorbed through the intestine.
Stanley Skoryna, MD said that sodium alginate from brown algae "permitted calcium to be normally absorbed through the intestinal wall while binding most of the strontium. The sidium alginate and strontium was subsequently excreted from the body. The experiments were designed to divise a method to counteract the effects of nuclear fallout and radiation." (Source: Canadian Medical Association Journal 91: 285-88)
In his book "Fighting Radiation with Foods, Herbs and Vitamins," (East-West Health Books, 1988) Steven Schecter, N.D. further elaborates on the Canadian studies. He asserts:
"There is no family of foods more protective against radiation and environmental pollutants than sea vegetables ... sea vegetables can prevent assimilation of different radionuclitides, heavy metals such as cadmium, and other environmental toxins."
He reinforces the Canadian findings by citing additional U.S. studies. One example is an experiment conducted by J.F. Stara at the Environmental Protection Agency showed that sodium alginate significantly reduced the amount of radio active strontium in the bones of cats. Stara observed that radio active strontium in the bones is resecreted into the intestines where it is bound by alginate, neutralized then excreted in the stools ... these same researchers have also studied other forms of hazardous environmental pollutants, and in 1971 (Source: ?????) reported:
"The chemical pollution in air, soil and water is particularliy serious, since the pollutants find their way into the food chain and their absorption into the body can be hazardous ... Our investigation has shown that alginate can bind radioactive strontium .. binds with other metal pollutants such as excess barium, cadmium and zinc."
Schecter explains alginates:
Alginate is non-toxic and is not reabsorbed into the rest of the body from the gastrointestinal tract. Alginate is specific and consistent in its reaction, is resistant to stomach acidity and the enzymes present in the intestinal tract ... it has also been shown to have no adverse effect on the ability of humans to assimilate calcium and other natural minerals.
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