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What is Seaweed? Seaweed are large algae that grow in the sea. They are plants, although they lack true stems, roots, and leaves. They do, however, have a blade that is leaflike (called a frond), a stipe that is stemlike, and a holdfast that resembles a root. Seaweeds anchor themselves to solid objects by this holdfast. These plants live and flourish by absorbing sunlight and nutrients so plentiful in the sea. They capture energy in the form of sunlight and convert it to chemical energy. This process is called photosynthesis.
What is Kelp? Kelp is a brown seaweed. Most seaweeds are divided into three groups according to their color, either green, brown, or red. Generally, the green seaweeds inhabit the shallowest zones along the shore. The browns live in the mid-intertidal and subtidal zones, and the reds are usually found in deeper waters. Just like mushrooms, there are hundreds of species and varieties of seaweed. Certain ones are edible, and of those, some are rare and prized for their nutritional value, like certain species of kelp.
Kelp is usually found in cold waters, and is very fast growing. Certain species and sub-species of kelp have higher concentrations of vitamins and minerals, and are more valuable than other types. Kelp contains almost every mineral and trace mineral necessary for human existence. Perfectly balanced by nature, it also contains high quantities of vitamins and naturally occurring amino acids. Dr. Earl Mindell, in his book The Vitamin Bible, writes this about kelp, "This amazing seaweed contains more vitamins and minerals than any other food." It is the tissues of the kelp species that contain the highest concentration of minerals and vitamins. These tissues are used in Sea Vegg.
This seaweed works like a sponge, absorbing from the water almost all the nutrients, minerals and trace elements that are essential to life. Kelp was first used medicinally to treat enlarged thyroid glands. Physicians didn't know why kelp was effective, until it was discovered that it was exceptionally rich in iodine and that enlarged thyroids were due to an iodine deficiency. Because iodine worked by stimulating the thyroid gland that controls the metabolism, it was noted that those who took iodine lost weight more easily. From these observations, kelp was then used to assist in weight loss. |
