Health - Including Sea Weed in Your Diet

By Candice McInnes  

Sea weeds - fondly called sea vegetables - have been around since the beginning of time, but it is only in the last century or so that the goodness of these natural plants have finally been put to good use. These amazing plants have a very high mineral/nutrient content [rich in vitamins, iron, iodine, protein, potassium, calcium and magnesium] which promotes good health and helps increase a persons energy level.

I am going to focus this article on the most popular of the 'sea vegetables', giving you information on the what, where, nutrients, uses, benefits and preparation [cooked and raw] of each.

KELP

A giant seaweed that can grow amazingly fast [up to a foot a day] and can stand as tall as a twenty storey building [about 200 feet].

Found mostly on rocky shorelines in the mid latitudes of the world, this plant thrives in cool, clear and salty water that has nutrients in abundance and a gentle tidal motion.

Kelp contains the following nutrients:

vitamins A, B, E, D and K
a source of vitamin C
minerals

Used for the following:

as a salt substitute
as flavor for a assortment of drinks and meals

Health benefits of kelp:

controls body weight
supports the functioning of the heart
aids in digestion
assists in the elimination of waste
boosts the immune system
aids the liver functions
reduces the pain of arthritis
and increases a persons energy

Preparation of this vegetable:

this vegetable is tasty when roasted, boiled, pickled, sauteed or marinated
For the raw food eater - try it in a salad mixed with bean and lentil sprouts, dribble with a almond butter to add to the taste

WAKAME

This is a dark brown plant with fronds that are around 12 inches wide and 2 to 4 feet long. Soft in texture with a slightly crunchy stem.

Wakame is native to and enjoys the cold coastal areas of Japan, Korea and China [it has become one of the most invasive species around and has established itself in New Zealand, the United States, France, Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Argentina and Australia].

Wakame contains the following nutrients:

High in protein
calcium rich

Used for the following:

to assist hair growth and improve its luster
to improve skin tone

Health benefits of wakame:

helps burn off fatty tissue
blood purification
intestinal strength
assisting with the menstrual cycle
and reproductive organs

Preparation of this vegetable:

usually dried or salted
used in soups
raw vegetable eaters generally use it in salads or as a side dish to a main meal.

NORI

Nori is the name the Japanese use when they talk about edible seaweed, it combines a variety of different seaweed species into one flat sheet.

Japan, Korea and China are the biggest makers of this edible sheet of seaweed.

Nori contains the following nutrients:

calcium
zinc
iodine
with a high protein content
and low in cholesterol

Used for the following:

Sold in dry sheets and used to wrap around some forms of sushi. Nori is considered best to eat raw.

Try to add these gems of the sea to your diet, as you can see by the information above the healthy nutrients in the plants will keep you healthy, give you a good sense of well-being and leave you bursting with extra energy.

Candice is a prolific author, and full time internet marketer. You can visit her women bowling shoes website [http://www.womenbowlingshoes.org], and get some great information on Dexter women bowling shoes [http://www.womenbowlingshoes.org/dexter-women-bowling-shoes.php] and many other great brands.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Candice_McInnes/759736

http://ezinearticles.com/?Health---Including-Sea-Weed-in-Your-Diet&id=5467265 

10 Anti-Inflammatory Super Foods

By Carole Gayle

  

Anti-inflammatory drugs are effective in treating arthritis and other types of inflammation in the joints of many people. That said, anti-inflammatory drugs are not proven to be safe because there are side effects and long-term usage of these drugs such can weaken the immune system. There are ways to treat your arthritis without sacrificing your immunity. One option is to eat foods that help relieve inflammation. These are the 10 anti-inflammatory foods to eat:

1. Kelp: Kelp is an herbal plant that has fucoidan, a type of complex carbohydrate which is a good anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-tumor. This is also a good food if you want to lose weight because this absorbs fat slowly. This can also help in the prevention of lung and liver cancer.

2. Wild Alaskan Salmon: This fish is a rich supplier of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (Omega-3 fatty acids) that are known as a great natural remedy for inflammation. This is great for people with arthritis and other types of inflammation and it can also be of great benefit for heart disease and can also prevent cancer. You can find a dietary supplement for fish oils if you don't get enough fish in your diet.

3. Turmeric: Turmeric is a spice that you can find in your curry powder mix. The anti-inflammatory effects that it can give are as similar as the effects that some anti-inflammatory drugs can give you, minus the side effects.

4. Shiitake Mushrooms: This type of mushroom can improve your immune system and prevent arthritis because it contains some anti-inflammatory agents that are really good for people with inflammation in the joints.

5. Green Tea: This popular drink is a high source of flavonoids, the compound that is anti-inflammation. Green tea might also reduce your risk of cancer and heart problems.

6. Papaya: This fruit is great for arthritis because of the papain that it contains. This can lessen your inflammation, improve you digestion and speeds up the healing of burns.

7. Blueberry: This fruit is rich in antioxidants and is a high source of phytonutrients, the anti-inflammatory agent that makes this fruit beneficial for arthritis.

8. Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Polyphenols can be found in this oil and because of that, you will receive protection from inflammation when you take it.

9. Broccoli: This green and leafy vegetable contains anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer phytonutrients properties.

10. Sweet Potato: This root vegetable can do wonders for health because of the nutrients that it has. Sweet potatocontains manganese, vitamin B6, beta-carotene, Vitamin C, dietary fiber and some complex carbohydrates.

Diet is a powerful alternative treatment for arthritis. Arthritis and food has a connection and it is conceivable to treat arthritis just by including the above mentioned foods in your daily diet.

Carole Gayle is a freelance writer who focuses on health-related topics. Visit the Arthritis Pain Cure center for additional information about alternative medicine rheumatoid arthritis [http://www.arthritis-pain-cure.com/alternative_medicine.html] treatments, and to sign up for the free monthly newsletter.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Carole_Gayle/5526

http://ezinearticles.com/?10-Anti-Inflammatory-Super-Foods&id=6299616