The Incredible Benefits of Sea Moss

Yes, you read that right. Sea moss. Also known as Irish moss. And if you were like me, you probably want to keep scrolling. Give me 2 minutes and hopefully I can entice you to stop and continue reading.

When I first heard about sea moss, also known as chondrus crispis, I thought for sure people were crazy for eating this stuff. I had just barely jumped on the seaweed bandwagon and now this?

As I started to look into it, I became intrigued. Red seaweed, aka sea moss, has a reputation as a major player in the health industry. I just had never heard about it. I mean, if Kim Kardashian swears by it, I should at least give it a chance!

Most of the red seaweed consumed is found off the Atlantic coast. It has been consumed for centuries and is known for containing algal polysaccharide which supports the following:

• Immunity enhancement

• Antioxidants

• Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory

• Tumor inhibition

• Hypertension prevention

• High cholesterol prevention

• Blood sugar control

In addition, it contains proteins, peptides, amino acids, lipids, and several pigments. Research indicates that it is neuroprotective, and is being explored as a treatment in Parkinsons Disease. Let’s explore a bit more why sea moss might be something you should add to your arsenal of supplies.

Mineral Content

Sea moss contains 92 of the 102 minerals your body needs, including b-vitamins, beta-carotene, bromine, calcium, carbon-iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, pectin, phosphorus, potassium, protein, selenium, sulphur compounds, sulfur-containing amino acids (taurin), vitamin c, and zinc. It is especially high in iodine. According to a study in the Journal of Medicinal Food, sea moss was not only found to have significant levels of iodine, but it was significantly bioavailable. Adequate iodine intake is crucial for thyroid health, although it is a delicate balance. Too much or too little can be harmful to the thyroid. If you have concerns regarding your thyroid, it is important to seek support from a medical practitioner. Iodine is also important for healthy metabolism and brain health.

Immune System

Interestingly, sea moss functions as a prebiotic. A study in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, sea moss was found to show improvements in the microbiota of the rats it was fed to. Animal studies show an improvement in beneficial bacteria and a decrease in harmful bacteria. Red seaweed has been found to enhance host immunity and suppress “virulence factors” which are produced by bacteria, fungi, and viruses in vivo (aka in a petri dish). Related to this, sea moss may be anti-tumor (Gao et al., 2016), which is theorized to be due the enhancement of the immune system.

Skin

I know, crazy! Sea moss is good for you skin too? In addition to it’s high mineral content, it also is rich in omega-3s, vitamin A, magnesium and is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, which means it can help with breakouts and cystic acne. Its hydrating and can soothe skin while fighting damage and infections. While no research has been done in this area, based on its profile and its support of collagen production, it’s promising as part of your healthy aging skin care protocol.

Ok, But How Do I Use It?

Sea moss can be consumed or applied topically. It can be ingested in raw, dried, and gel form or taken in a pill. It is nearly flavorless and can be combined into foods, coffee, smoothies or sauces as a thickener. 1-2 tbsp per day is a healthy amount for an adult to consume. Sea moss only lasts 3 weeks in the fridge, so make sure yours is not only freshly made, but also stored correctly. To prolong it’s life, you can freeze in ice cubes and pop into smoothies or defrost and add to your coffee or whatever you are wanting to put it in.

Sea moss can be applied topically as a mask to support healthy skin and diminish eczema, acne, or other skin ailments. Apply, allow it to dry and rinse off. It can be left on all night as well, just make sure to put a towel over your pillowcase!

We now offer both gold and elderberry-infused sea moss in our shop. These have been life-changing for me and I would encourage you to decide if it will work for you too!

Word of Caution

As mentioned before, because of the high iodine content, please, as always, consult with a medical practitioner, particularly if you have known thyroid dysfunction.

Here’s to your health,