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Sea vegetables have been a food staple in China and Japan for centuries. In the western word, sea vegetables are more commonly referred to as seaweed. While seaweed is not frequently eaten in America, the health benefits of seaweed are numerous and quite profound. Seaweed is a good source of protein and fiber as well as many vitamins and minerals and should be considered a healthful addition to a balanced diet.

Seaweed, or sea vegg depending on your choice of nomenclature, is rich in vitamins and minerals. It contains significant amounts of iodine, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. The iodine content is significant enough that seaweed was once a treatment for goiters, caused by an iodine deficiency. Vitamins B12, C, and E are present in significant amounts, as well as carotenoids, a potent antioxidant.

The nutrients and phytochemicals found in seaweed provide many health benefits. They help to keep hair and skin looking healthy, they reduce cholesterol levels, and they boost the immune system. Alginic acid, found naturally in the plants, has been proven to bind to heavy metals in the human body, such as lead and mercury, and thus helps to eliminate them.

In general, seaweed is considerably higher in protein than most vegetables, although it can vary by species. Generally, brown seaweeds are the lowest in protein, at between 5-15% of dry weight. Red and Green seaweeds average twice as much protein, at 10-30% of dry weight. Dulse, Nori, and other species of red seaweed are much higher in protein, with contents equal or greater than those found in soybeans.

Although a tasty addition to the daily diet, you may not be ready yet to eat a bowl of fresh wakame or arame. If you still want the health benefits of seaweed you can get it in pill form, like your other vitamins. Sea Vegg is a seaweed pill that allows you to get many of the health benefits of eating raw seaweed, but in pill form. It is made of a blend of twelve different sea vegetables.

The same vitamins, minerals, antioxidents, flavinoids, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids found in raw seaweed are present in Sea Vegg, as well as other health benefits associated with seaweed, including, studies suggest, antibiotic and antiviral compounds. The antioxidents algal polyphenols, which may reduce cellular oxidation damage, are also found in Sea Vegg.

Today seaweed is becoming more readily available, especially in health food stores, ethnic markets, and specialty groceries. It is most often sold dried, in packets, and can be eaten that way as a snack or, in the case of nori, used to make homemade sushi. Once soaked, it can be made into a dramatic salad, or added to soups. Alternatively, you may obtain many of the health benefits of seaweed simply by adding the pill Sea Vegg to your daily routine.