Daily Detoxification is so important for optimal gut performance. Detox is also one of the best methods to heal your gut and ridding the body of the multiple toxins it is exposed to in our environment and our modern lifestyles.
During weight loss programmes detoxification can be even more critical as the body burns fat cells and any toxins stored within those cells are released.
Through the high levels of minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and particularly polysaccharides present, Seagreens can detoxify in four main ways:
Cleansing of the digestive tract, blood, lymph, kidneys and improved metabolism of food. This is thought to be achieved through the unique range of polysaccharides found in Seagreens seaweeds as well as chlorophyll and all the antioxidant vitamins and minerals.
Removal of toxic and heavy metals and radiation through the polysaccharides, the complete range of amino acids and minerals present in Seagreens
Improving the alkaline-acid balance and the full metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, helping protect against acidosis. Seagreens is the most alkalising of all natural foods, over 75 times more so than apples.
Providing the richest source of natural, stable, fully ‘chelated’ iodine (bound to protein ions) with all the micro-nutrients needed for its metabolism such as selenium. Iodine is an essential food for the thyroid and hormonal system which in its turn regulates many aspects of bodily function.
How to Improve Gut Health Naturally
Seagreens remarkable nutritional profile is helpful in patients with compromised digestion and metabolism, helping to restore gut health. Seagreens mucilagenous polysaccharides have a healing effect on damaged intestinal villi(i).
They are known to assist the survival of beneficial intestinal flora and to improve the condition of the gut wall.
The two mechanisms involved are thought to be the restoration of the fibroplast growth factor activity which stimulates repair of the epithelium, and the mucosal properties of the polysaccharides.
The polysaccharides help the body’s acid-alkaline balance, being by far the most alkalising of all natural foods.
Seagreens is over 75 times more alkalising than apples (the old saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” is largely a reference to their good effect on acid-alkaline balance). Seagreens once a day helps keep the gut health doctor away.
In 2006 scientists at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne demonstrated the value of seaweed polysaccharides, especially alginate, in the international battle against obesity, diabetes, heart disease and diseases such as bowel cancer.
The research paper showed that alginate proved to strengthen mucus, the body's natural protection of the gut wall, can slow digestion down, and can slow the uptake of nutrients in the body[ii].
In clinical research it has been shown that antibacterial agents present in Seagreens seaweeds make it effective against common food poisoning bacteria, which occurs when eating the worst foods for gut health.
The bacterias includes the fungus Candida albicans; Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and E. coli. It is also effective against a bacterium associated with pneumonia[iii].
Seagreens is also one of the most effective prebiotics you can find. Prebiotics are the ‘food source’ of the microbes in your gut, usually consisting of insoluble fibre which the bacteria (probiotics) in your gastrointestinal tract colonise and ferment. Seagreens®seaweed is extremely high in insoluble and very beneficial soluble fibre. It also contains polysaccharides which can pass through the gut undigested and reach the microbiota in the lower intestine.
Bacterial fermentation was found to be especially relevant in a thyroid iodine research study conducted on Seagreens® Ascophyllum at the University of Glasgow, because colonic fermentation helped free the iodine for nutrition.
As a natural, effective prebiotic, Seagreens® has been shown to prolong the release of sugars to the blood and lower the glycaemic index of foods, which has particular value in children with special needs, in obesity and diabetes.
The studies also show that the Seagreens® seaweed stimulates the secretion of pancreatic and digestive enzymes and beneficially inhibits others.
Seagreens are one of the ultimate gut health hacks. Put Seagreens in your favourite gut health recipes or take one capsule daily with food. Simply some of the best gut health supplements in Australia.
The following comparative chart shows probiotic effects in the various Seagreens products as well as in comparison to vegetables we commonly eat. Please note, at SEA we don't stock "Salad and Condiment" (yet!).
Seagreens products are available from our online store here.
Head to the Seaweed for People page on our website for more info and a great recipe!
Blog post by Liz using information provided by Seagreens Information Service.
[i] P. Pitchford, Healing with Whole Foods, Revised Edition, North Atlantic Books, 1993
[ii] J. Pearson et al., University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, November 2006
[iii] H. A. Hopps et al. Marine Algae in Pharmaceutical Science, DeGruyter, New York 1979 xi(309):111
