Eating seaweed may help prevent breast cancer

The Japanese staple may be one reason Asian women have lower risk    Summary  Japanese women regularly eat seaweed, while women in the West tend to think it's gross. But a new study of the differences between Eastern and Western diets suggests that the Japanese may be onto something. The study indicates that women whose diets are rich in seaweed are much less likely to develop breast cancer, and that's probably one reason Asian women have a lower overall cancer rate than women in the West.    Details  More than just a slimy nuisance that wraps itself around your ankles while you walk the beach, seaweed may actually be a powerful tool in the fight against breast cancer. That's because a diet containing kelp seaweed may reduce the amounts of estrogen circulating in the body, a new study claims. Lower estrogen levels mean there's less fuel available for the development of estrogen-dependent cancers, such as some forms of breast cancer, the researchers explain. This study, which appears in the Feb. 2 issue of the Journal of Nutrition is the latest to examine differences between the typical Asian diet and the typical Western diet, looking at how those differences might contribute to the development of breast cancer. In some Asian countries, seaweed is even eaten as a snack, said study author Christine Skibola, an assistant research toxicologist at the University of California at Berkeley School of Public Health. The current study, done in rats, developed out of several case studies Skibola had conducted on women taking 700-milligram seaweed supplements daily to treat extremely irregular menstrual cycles from disorders such as endometriosis. Skibola noticed the women's menstrual cycles became longer and more regular, and that their blood levels of estradiol -- a form of estrogen -- dropped significantly. To further test the effects of seaweed, Skibola and her colleagues had rats consume bladderwrack seaweed, which is closely related to two Japanese favorites, wakame and kombu seaweed. To ensure that the rats consumed the correct dose of dried kelp, it was sprinkled onto their favorite food, apples. "Women shouldn't go out and start eating lots of seaweed," said Decker, who added that it's probably more important for breast cancer prevention to eat an overall healthy diet and to make sure you get screening mammograms beginning in your 40s.   

Healing Power of Malaysian Seaweeds

Expert’s Snapshots

Prof. Dr. Suhaila Mohamed graduated with a Double Major,
B. Sc. (Hons.) in Physiology and Food Science (University
of Leeds, UK) and later received her Ph.D in Biophysical
Chemistry of Food (University of Leeds, UK) at the age of 26.
Prof. Dr. Suhaila Mohamed specialises in Functional Food as
complementary and alternative medicine for cardiovascular
health, cancer and food related ailments. It requires a
multidisciplinary approach involving chemistry, physiology,
food sciences and nutrition. She received numerous national
and international research and product awards including the
National Innovation Award, National Patent Award, Malaysian
Toray Science Foundation Award and Tribute to Women
Award for Science and Technology. Her major scientific
discoveries are –

(i) a nutritious Low Sodium Hi Calcium salt
replacer /seasoning / flavor enhancer for individuals prone to
hypertension and kidney problems, with anti-cancer properties

(ii) world’s first palm leaf extract products capable of enhancing
mental cognitive functions and cardiovascular health as well
as preventing cancer

(iii) world’s first anti-oil adsorption and
antioxidative additive that can reduce oil absorption in the
fried food by as high as 85% for incorporation into frying oils

(iv) a composition that is capable of enhancing wound
healing, tissue/organ repair and helps to manage diabetes,
hypertension, hypercholesterol, other cardiovascular ailments
and cancers, especially useful for patients with compromised
healing process such as diabetic patients.

Seaweed is able to fight cancer

In an experiment done by a research institute in Japan, they have found out that Fucoidan in seaweed is able to fight cancer.

In another similar experiment, Fucoidan was not included into the tester. After 72 hours, the cancer cells has increased to one hundred thousand (multiplied ten times)

When the researchers replace the colon cancer cells with myeloid leukemia cells and gastric cells, the result is the same. Detailed examination found out that the cancer cells suicide when they met Fucoidan. The more Fucoidan added into the tester, the quicker cancer cells suicide.

The researchers also tested it on mice. Human colorectal cancer cells were moved into mice. They were fed with Fucoidan for four weeks. The result showed that the cancer cells multiplied by only 3 times while the cancer cells for mice that were not fed with Fucoidan has increased 11 times.

To prove that Fucoidan has no impact to other cells, the researchers continued the experiment by feeding healthy mice for four weeks. The result showed that the weight of the mice remained and no impact to the organs of the mice. In other words, Fucoidan only deals with cancer cells. It will not cause suicide phenomena to other cells.

Men's Viagra

For men, iodine, potassium, sodium and other nutrients contained in seaweed are important minerals in protecting thyroid and improve sexual desire. Therefore, men should eat more seaweed to safeguard their healthy sexual life.

Heart Protection

Besides polysaccharide, seaweed is also rich in selenium. German scientists found out that human selenium deficiency is one of the causes of cardiovascular disease. From a research, they notice that patients suffering from coronary artery disease has lesser selenium compare to a healthy person. People who are living in low selenium areas are 3 times more likely of dying from heart disease as compared to people in high selenium areas. US scientists found out that the number of people dying from heart disease in selenium rich Colorado is only 1/5 of the cases in Washington.

Improve Immunity

It has been proven that seaweed has a role in improving our immune system. Seaweed is well known of its capability in maintaining blood circulation and lymphatic system. It is able to prevent diseases in blood vessels, bones and mental illness such as memory lost and depression. It also helps to reduce blood sugar level and control of hypertension and insulin level. Polysaccharides, Vitamin A and B-carotene in seaweed have anti-cancer and anti-virus capability. Atherosclerosis can be prevented through seaweed consumption too. As seaweed contains the main nutrition, it is a good nutritional supplement for vegetarian. In addition, it is also able to reduce menopausal symptom.

Anti-aging

Seaweed contains many types of antioxidants such as SOD, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. Seaweed consumption will replenish the antioxidants, protect the normal function of human cells and slow the aging process. Scientists found out that seaweed and deep- sea fish extract has a role in slowdown brain aging and prevent Alzheimer.

The Holy Medicine for Women's Illness

Scientists have found out that there are a very low percentage of breast cancer cases in Japanese women. Statistics show that pre-menopause breast cancer cases of Japanese women is 1/3 of the cases in United States while the post-menopause breast cancer cases is 1/9 of the cases in United States. They believe this is due to the high consumption of seaweed in Japan. 25% of the Japanese food contains seaweed and average daily intake for seaweed is about 6g.

Brain Development

Seaweed consists of 72 types of minerals. 8 of them are available in vegetables and the rest of the minerals including Omega 3 and 6 that are important to children brain development can be found in seaweed. German scientists show that children’s IQ can increase by 30% through the consumption of seaweed twice a week. This is because seaweed contains linoleic acid, lecithin, taurine and glutamate which are important in brain development. DHA, also known as the Gold for the Brain, can be found in seaweed as well.

Seaweed superfoods

Seaweeds are one of nature's true wonder foods! They are one of the most nutritionally dense plants on the planet and also the most abundant source of minerals in the plant kingdom as they have access to all the nutrients in the ocean.

Being a superfood, a little goes a long way!

Benefits of Seaweeds
Blood Purifying: The chemical composition of seaweeds is so close to human blood plasma, that they are excellent at regulating and purifying our blood.
High in Calcium: They can contain up to 10 times more calcium than milk and 8 times as much as beef. 
Alkalizing:They help to alkalize our blood, neutralizing the over-acidic effects of our modern diet.
Have Powerful Chelating Properties: They offer protection from a wide array of environmental toxins, including heavy metals, pollutants and radiation by-products, by converting them to harmless salts that the body can eliminate easily.
Contain Anti-oxidants: Seaweeds contain lignans (naturally occurring chemical compounds) which have anti cancer properties.
Detoxifying: They are rich in chlorophyll (the pigment that makes some seaweeds green) which is a powerful, natural detoxifier that helps to draw out waste products.
Boost Weight loss: Seaweeds play a role in boosting weight loss and deterring cellulite build-up. Their naturally high concentration of iodine, helps to stimulate the thyroid gland, which is responsible for maintaining a healthy metabolism. At the same time, its' minerals act like electrolytes to break the chemical bonds that seal the fat cells, allowing trapped wastes to escape.