The Benefits Of Seaweed: Its Vitamins And Importance To Your Overall Health

Today, many of us have eaten seaweed in one form or another. However, you might be surprised to find out how many vitamins it offers and how vital they are for our general health. Seaweed also has an abundance of minerals, but I'll cover that in another article. For now, lets see what vitamins seaweed offers us and the impact it has on our overall health.

Vitamin A

• Cell Growth, Repair, and Immunity - Helps your body fight illness from viruses and bacteria. It strengthens areas of your body which are vulnerable to them such as the mucous membranes near the eyes and nose which is how viruses and bacteria can enter your body which can lead to illness.
• Vision and Eye Health - Helps fight against glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts, along with other illnesses of the eyes which you may become vulnerable to as you get older.
• Cancer - Is considered to be a strong antioxidant and is thought to prevent development of certain varieties of cancer and pulmonary diseases.
• Bones - Since Vitamin A plays a significant part in the growth of new cell tissue, it also helps ensure bone health by replacing damaged tissue. It also helps the formation of dentin on your teeth.
• Prevention of Urinary Stones - Vitamin A creates a mineral called calcium phosphate that prevents solid particles from forming within your body. These particles can form stones and can cause vomiting and pain.
• Helps to Maintain Healthy Skin - Vitamin A is an antioxidant. Free radicals damage the skin, which is why antioxidants are important in maintaining healthy skin. It will protect it from wrinkling, pimples, dryness, and psoriasis.

Vitamin B1

Is also commonly known as Thiamine or Thiamin. B1 is important for maintaining a healthy nervous system. In addition it will help to convert the food you eat everyday into energy your body uses to function.

Vitamin B2

Also known as Riboflavin. Vitamin B2 also helps convert food into energy. As a matter of fact, every B vitamin aids in the conversion of food into energy. However, B2 is also responsible for breaking down fats and proteins. In addition it helps in the production of hormones and helps red blood cells to stay healthy.

Vitamin B3

Is typically known as Niacin. It also helps in converting food into energy like all the B vitamins. It's also responsible for helping your nervous system to continue functioning properly, assists in maintaining a healthy digestive system and assists in blood circulation.

Vitamin B6

Helps prevent heart disease, aids in the production of antibodies to fight infection, viruses and bacteria. Like B3, it assists in the maintenance of your nervous system. It also assists in keeping red blood cells healthy. Similar to many of the B vitamins, it also converts food to energy.

Vitamin B-12

Is also known as Cobalamin. B-12 is known to assist in preventing heart disease, strengthen the immune system, keep red blood cells healthy and like all the B vitamins we've mentioned, it assists in converting food to energy.

Vitamin C

Is another vitamin that has a host of positive affects on your health. There's also evidence that it helps to raise good cholesterol generally known as HDL. HDL helps to eliminate fatty deposits from arteries, which reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. It's also an antioxidant like Vitamin A. It also promotes strong teeth and bones, healthy skin and gums, helps wounds to heal and strengthens blood vessels.

Vitamin D

Aids in bone growth, strength and also helps to strengthen teeth. It also boosts the activity of the natural killer cells in your body. These cells are responsible for targeting other cells that are infected by viruses. Vitamin D also plays a role in the rejection of tumors. It also helps lower cholesterol. Low levels of Vitamin D can lead to increased blood pressure and increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Vitamin E

Is known as an antioxidant like Vitamins A and C. It protects cells from the negative affects of free radicals. It can help to strengthen the immune system. It also helps create red blood cells. In addition it widens blood vessels, which prevent blood clots.

We take vitamins for granted, but they're vital to the proper functioning of our bodies. As you can see, seaweed has an abundance of them. Maybe it's time you thought about including it in your diet more often?

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Fun Recipes With Seaweed

You're hosting a party and you're tired of serving the same old, same old. You want to do something different, cutting edge, healthy, and fun. Why not try out some recipes with seaweed? What? Seaweed? Don't go making a face or thinking, "yuck." Although you might not realize it, we probably eat sea vegetables every day and don't even know it. Many seaweed types are used as thickeners in a processed or packaged food. Seaweed, also known as kelp, is an excellent source of nutrition, energy, and can add to a "green" or earth-friendly.

Here are some fun recipes with seafood that you can try at the next event you host.

Seaweed Salad
One half cup chopped seaweed/kelp
1 seedless cucumber, peeled and sliced into thin rounds
1 tbsp. rice wine vinegar
1 green onion/scallion, sliced fine
Half cup red onion, minced
Half tbsp. sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped/minced fine
1 tsp. sesame seeds
One half tbsp. sugar

Cut seaweed into small sections with a sharp knife. Rinse well and let it soak overnight. The seaweed will expand. Rinse again and spin dry in a salad spinner. If you don't have one, pat dry with paper towels. Add all other ingredients together in a large salad bowl and mix together well. Add the seaweed and let it sit for about half an hour before serving. Toss sesame seeds on top for effect.

Homemade Sushi
Nori (seaweed) sheets, cut in half
1 tbsp. rice wine vinegar
1 bunch of bean sprouts (or alfalfa sprouts)
1 cucumber (seedless are best), peeled and cut into two inch long pieces
One third cup lite soy sauce
Wasabi paste (optional)
2 cups cooked white rice, cooled

Cook your rice, adding the rice wine vinegar to it. Set aside to cool. Using a sharp knife, slice the carrot and cucumber into narrow, thin pieces. In your hand, take a sheet of the nori and place a large teaspoon of rice into the center. Spread the rice out to fully cover the nori. Then add carrots, sprouts, and cucumber on top of the rice. Roll the nori around the filling and wet edge with water to seal. Repeat with ingredients. Arrange on a platter and serve with soy sauce and wasabi on the side.

Photo: Popsugar.co.uk

Seaweed Chips
Clean and rinse seaweed and pat dry with paper towels. (You'll want some moisture.) Add sea salt on top and add to a dehydrator. Let it go for about six to eight hours or until crispy. Or, if you don't have a dehydrator, bake on parchment paper lined cookie sheet in the oven at 250 degrees for five hours, checking frequently.

Serve these chips with your favorite dip.

You see, cooking with seaweed isn't difficult at all and it adds a certain snazziness to your party table. If you're hosting a bridal shower, you could even work the theme of the event around a sea or beach theme, working seaweed into the mix. These recipes would be great to serve to your guest. They're nutritious, different, and sure to be all the talk of the party.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Herbs For High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is one of the most common health problems and is a major risk factor in cardiovascular disease. While there are various medications to lower blood pressure, many people prefer to take herbs for high blood pressure instead. This is because herbs are easily absorbed by the body and have little to no chemical content, reducing the risk of side effects.

Herbs for high blood pressure may be added to food or taken as tea, tincture, or supplement capsules. However, not all herbs for high blood pressure may be safe for everyone, and patients should seek medical advice before taking any. Here are some commonly used herbs for high blood pressure and tips on using them correctly.

Garlic

Though it is not the most effective herb, garlic lowers both blood pressure and cholesterol levels, making it an excellent guard against heart disease. Studies show that taking garlic over several weeks can lower blood pressure by 5% to 10%.

Ginseng

Siberian ginseng is an adaptogen - it helps the body adapt to physical, chemical, and biologica stress. It also increases blood oxygen without raising it to toxic levels, as some medications tend to do. Take three to 15 grams of ginseng powder or 10 to 50 drops of tincture daily. Note that Chinese ginseng is only half as effective as Siberian, and tends to promote hypertension.

Seaweeds

Extracts from seaweeds like kelp and laminaria contain histamine and other blood pressure reducing chemicals, and are used in certain hypertension drugs. A Japanese study shows that kelp extract can significantly lower blood pressure without any side effects.

Hawthorn

Hawthorn helps regulate heartbeat, remove water buildup around the heart, and stimulate the cardiovascular system. It is also an excellent heart tonic, making it ideal for those who suffer heart palpitations. Hawthorn can be taken as a tea using the dried leaves and flowers, or as a fluid extract or tincture.

Lemon balm

Also a mild heart tonic, lemon balm calms the nerves and improves blood flow. It can be taken as a tea or added to food.

IMPORTANT: Herbs for high blood pressure are not as strictly regulated as conventional drugs, so not all products may be safe. Some herbs for high blood pressure may contain additives such as silica, starch, sugar, or gluten, which can have adverse effects on your health. Buy only products that are GMP-compliant to avoid such products, and make sure they do not contain any artificial colors and flavors.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com