Red marine algae is one of many alternative medicine treatments that has experienced a rapid growth in popularity in recent years as patients search for natural and herbal remedies. The medical uses of red algae have developed over many centuries, and while originating in China, have sparked the interest of doctors and patients around the world. Red marine algae, like many alternative medicines, is also a nutritional supplement rich in naturally-occurring minerals and disease-preventing agents.
History
The medical uses of algae date back thousands of years in China, where red marine algae has served as a food product and a general tonic treatment for a variety of medical conditions. Although scholars have found records of the use of red marine algae in the diet and alternative medicine of China that date back at least to the 3rd century B.C., extensive Western scholarship did not emerge until the late 1800s. In the 1900s, Japanese and Chinese scholars began conducted additional research on the benefits of marine algae, renewing the interest of marine biologists and medical researchers worldwide.
Benefits
Red marine algae has been found to have a variety of nutritional benefits, and contains high levels of minerals, protein, and fiber. Sea vegetables, as algae and kelp are often called, are the richest source of minerals found in any food. Red marine algae can also dissolve excess fatty acids and boost thyroid activity through the addition of natural iodine, helping to balance hormones and prevent the storage of excess fat.
Function
Red marine algae is often used as an alternative medicine for increasing the body's immune response and preventing or treating viral infections. Red marine algae works to strengthen the immune system by increasing and strengthening white blood cells and tumor-fighting agents in the blood. Infections that may be treated with red marine algae include skin infections such as boils, blisters, and cold sores as well as ulcers and urinary or yeast infections.
Types
Red marine algae can be administered as an alternative medicine either topically, as an ointment, or orally, in the form of a dietary supplement pill. Marine algae can also be found in raw form and eaten as a vegetable, or brewed in hot water as a bath or tea. All forms of red marine algae are available without a prescription from health foods stores, although the topical and pill forms are most common .
Potential
The active ingredient of red marine algae, the carageenans variety of sulfated polysaccharides, has been found to be effective against the transmission of several sexually transmitted diseases and is now being used in condom lubricants to prevent the spread of human papillovirus (the cause of genital warts). The carageenans target the type of proteins to which viruses belong and prevent the viruses from binding with human cells.
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