Sea Moss is a superfood, with a long history in nutrition, health and wellness including an excellent source of 92 micronutrients as well as a natural means to support collagen production. Sea Moss has been used since the mid-1800s as a natural remedy for some specific illnesses, nutrition and cleaning the skin. While there are many known health benefits, research has started looking into further potential benefits and health claims.
What is Sea Moss
What is Sea Moss exactly? It is a small type of algae with multiple silk-like strands and what looks like a leaf stem on each side of its shape, so it resembles an underwater plant (such as kelp) and is from the ocean. It is scientifically known as Chondrus crispus, one kind of seaweed that is an edible plant ( algae or red algae), an excellent source of 92 micronutrients as well as a natural means to support collagen production. When you touch sea moss, you feel the tiny fibers; it has some similarities with seaweed like wakame, dulse, or kombu; that’s why it’s also categorized as seaweed. It has been used as a food source for centuries and still serves as a staple for many coastal communities. Sea Moss is also eaten by many fish and some mollusks.
What Nutrients Does Sea Moss Offer
Sea Moss, also known as Irish Moss or seaweed as a functional ingredient, offers a number of nutrients in addition to being used as a form of food. Unlike most types of seaweed, its fibers are made up mainly of polysaccharides and lipids, which contain vitamins and minerals. These vitamin A carotenoids have been shown to help the skin glow and even to speed up the skin’s rejuvenation process. Some other nutrients that Irish Sea Moss may contain include niacin, calcium, potassium, beta carotene, zinc, phosphorus, copper, iron, vitamin B12. Vegans appreciate Sea Moss as it is vegan food and use it in smoothies, sea moss gel for skin care, thickener for soup, and many more.
Health Benefits of Sea Moss
Sea Moss has many benefits. The key factor that makes it unique is its origin; yet we find immense applications for sea moss health, day-to-day life, and sleep, contributing 20% (10KHZ pure waves frequency) to our brain wave benefits. Sea Moss is naturally rich in minerals, vitamins, and nutrients that are essential for a healthy body. You will find many poly-phenols among its nutrients that control blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol levels. Sea Moss supports the body through reducing inflammation caused by free radicals. It can be consumed as a snack or as an ingredient to add flavor to salads, soups, smoothies and main dishes. It has also been used in detoxes and can help eliminate many unwanted toxins from the body. Additional health benefits of Sea Moss include:
Boost the energy level and improve mental health:
Sea Moss supports increased energy levels within the body and supports optimal mental health by decreased stress and fatigue. A 2011 study revealed that Sea Moss contains minerals and vitamins, both mood boosters and vitamin B12 over 50%, which is known to play a significant role in maintaining normal nerve cells of the brain since they convert glucose into energy for functioning. As a result, using Sea Moss helps increase brain function at work or in sports, supporting creative, focus and cognitive needs.
Promote weight loss: Sea moss can help you in weight loss also. It ranks second, just behind kale, in improving the fat loss rate after you eat at least one ounce per day. Further, because Sea Moss contains calcium and zinc and naturally has a low sugar content, making it perfect for those trying to maintain optimal health and wellness. It can also be used with the help of a plant-based enzymatic formula as Sea Moss has a mild yet effective laxative power to break down fats and speed up your metabolism.
Healthy immune system, aging and gut health: Sea Moss is considered a dietary supplement. It supports the immune system and digestion. It improves immune health by enhancing the immune response to various diseases or bacteria as a result of its high concentrations of vitamin C and other minerals. It is rich in prebiotics and fiber that promotes a healthy immune system as well as the gut-brain axis. At the same time, it also protects you with a healthy aging response.
Sea moss also helps in improving gut health. The presence of fiber stays for an extended period and supports the growth, repair, and balance of organisms, which is also a great immune system foundation. Further, Sea Moss fibers have been shown to promote healthy bacteria.
Enhance the brain: Sea moss is an excellent natural source of iron - the main metal in its body, providing five times more than any other food. Additionally, Sea Moss has a calming effect with known calming neurotransmitters within the brain, specifically magnesium, and vitamin B6, which is called glutamic acid in our nervous system and prevents neural spasms. Hence, it's ideal for all types of stress-related tension or anxiety implications.
Supports Bone Health: Sea Moss has essential elements that help promote good bones in different ways. It is a rich source of calcium, osteogenic proteins, and other minerals that help break down the deposit of bone to make it easier for the body to use. It helps keep the bones collagenous, therefore it supports those with osteoporosis. It naturally contains a proline amino acid that breaks down proteins into energy, thus giving antioxidants that fight against free radicals, repair cell structure, and boost collagen production. It is also known as the protein that strengthens joints and prevents sore muscles from experiencing pain. It also supports the necessary protein for repairing bones as well, with its load of iodine and B vitamins.
Supports Hormonal Balance: Sea moss supports hormone management that regulates the gut and immune system. The presence of anti-inflammatory properties supported by Zinc, Iron and copper make it work towards the release of human growth hormone (HGH), which is one more factor needed for protein metabolism. It also supports the production of important immunoglobulins, which play a crucial role in the ability to fight off colds, sore throats, or allergies.
Heart Health: Sea Moss has been regarded as an excellent source for those who have compromised cardiovascular functions. It offers relief from hypertension; Sea Moss is often considered a rich source of minerals that are essential for the proper functions of cells in your body. They also help protect against certain diseases, including high blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmia. Thus, they are regarded as one of the best heart supplements because of the ability to support the circulatory system.
Thyroid: Sea Moss also supports to improve thyroid function. When the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones to regulate metabolism and balance heartbeat, Sea Moss may help regulate it. The cells in our bodies usually produce thyroxine hormone, which drives the healthy growth of our thyroid. In fact, many people who have a damaged, under-active thyroid gland, hypothyroidism or hypothalamic disorders may benefit from Sea Moss supplementation.
Healthy Aging and Skin: Sea Moss detoxifies the skin by eliminating toxins from the pores and making the skin look tout and open. It hydrates skin and produces enough nutrition to keep the body moisture at an optimal level. Sea Moss is full of antioxidants and vitamins that give skin a healthy glow and prevent premature aging by stopping free radical damage to cellular DNA. Sea Moss improves overall skin health by preventing collagen damage that gives wrinkle-free, firm, and supple skin. Sea moss is an anti-inflammatory which means that it will support reducing redness and swelling. It can also be used topically to protect against sun damage. Not only does Sea Moss leave the skin feeling smooth, but it removes dead cells (which are caused by the abundance of oils that are produced every day), making the skin glow. Sea moss also heals and conditions dry, chapped skin.
Sea Moss Supplement
Sea Moss is full of vitamins and minerals, along with antioxidants that benefit overall health.
Sea Moss Powder: Sea Moss powder is the most common form to consume. It’s available in the market, or you can make it powder at home with some dried Sea Moss and consume it by mixing with regular soup (thickening agent) or yogurt or with any drink. As with any supplement, please consult your doctor.
Sea moss Gel: Sea Moss gel is another popular form; particularly for use on skin and hair. Taking Sea Moss as a capsule rather than bulk gel or powder can easily help people take the optimal daily amount. Ensuring a supplement is made with organic ingredients for optimal health and wellness is important. Bladderwrack (Bladderwrack enhances the sea moss and also has benefits of its own, including increasing thyroid health, aiding in digestion, and cleansing the body) and burdock (Burdock is a powerhouse of antioxidants, removes toxins from the blood and can help treat skin issues). Sea Moss can have beneficial effects on skin hydration being an anti-inflammatory balm. It has antibiotic properties when applied topically to wounds or burns, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed throughout the body including tissues such as skin.
Sea Moss Supplement: One of the best forms of taking Sea Moss is as a supplement. Choosing organic and a company with a good reputation is important. According to studies and research done by different institutions on sea moss supplements, it has been observed that people who take this natural supplement anytime before going to bed may improve sleep quality. These scientists also stated that Sea Moss supports the cortical brain wave, allowing people to sleep more deeply, and wake up feeling refreshed in the morning. Accordingly, consuming Sea Moss prior to going to sleep supports mental health and makes people feel relaxed.
Final Thoughts
Sea Moss or Irish Sea Moss grows in cold northern ocean waters. It contains vitamins, high amounts of fiber, and minerals that support overall health and wellness. There are many positive effects of Sea Moss; including skin, healthy aging, blood sugar management, liver support, optimal cholesterol levels, digestion and much more. Natural Sea Moss can be used as a plant-based vegan carrageenan for thickening foods, baking goods and cosmetics.