Tag Archives: Seaweed

Gut Health, Fiber, Seaweed and the Immune System

by Charlotte Smith for RTB

Gut Heath:

In a September 17, 2013 article for “RedOrbit.com” Writer, Brett Smith, discusses intestinal microbes and their importance in regard to immune health. His article is titled: “Going With Your Gut: Intestinal Microbes Linked to Health Issues”

It discusses, in part, a recent research review from “Oregon State University” that basically concluded that autoimmune disease or clinical depression can, sometimes, be traced to an immune system that does not function correctly.

This happens when the gut of the individual is also not functioning correctly due to over use of antibiotics or a diet high in unhealthy foods like those high in fats.

In other words, the quality of intestinal function is directly related to the quality of immune function. This is just another study, in a litany of studies, and anecdotal accounts that prove taking care of the gut can help foster a healthy immune system.

Link: redorbit.com


In a September 8, 2013 article from the “Seattle Times” by Writer Barbara Quinn titled: “Plant Based Fiber Helps Keep Our Gut Happy, Healthy” one learns that plant fiber helps gut flora flourish and thus this helps create a intestinal environment that functions correctly and this can help build up the defenses in one’s immune system.

Individuals who eat a diet high in fiber from foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, seeds and nuts are creating a verity of flora and having a verity of good flora in the gut is very important in relation to helping to maintain immune health.

The article also states that stress can be an added factor that disrupts the level of healthy bacteria in our guts and suggests that individuals follow a high fiber diet during times of stress to help maintain gut immune health.

Link: seattletimes.com


The Nuclear disaster in Japan has created radioactive contamination of seaweed that grows there. Thus, there has also been contamination in some West Coast seaweed samples that have been transported from that Nation as discussed in the news clip below.

Link: www.youtube.com

An alternative to buying and eating Japan sourced seaweed products, for those concerned about possible damaging Nuclear contamination can, perhaps, be seaweed sourced from Maine.

Maine Coast Seaweed is a company out of Mane that Farms, of course, seaweed.

Link: www.youtube.com

Franklin, Maine is on the North Coast of Maine where seaweed is carefully pruned and sold. There are as many as eight types of seaweed native to that Maine region and that company helps people gain access to the seaweed, not only for their food dishes, but also for nutritional benefits as well.

Seaweed has been shown to be beneficial in immune health and is also grown in Florida. In a huffingtonpost.com article titled: “Florida Seaweed May Fight Cancer, Says University of Florida Study” the importance of sea lettuce in relation to immune health is discussed.

In particular, Florida’s green algae may have key cancer-fighting properties by boosting the body’s antioxidant enzymes to help fight off free radicals which can lend to disease processes in the body.

Link: www.huffingtonpost.com