Have you ever heard the notion that spending some time on the coast breathing in the fresh sea air is good for your health? There is more than a grain of truth in this sentiment with the soothing sounds of the waves reducing stress levels and more time spent outdoors by the beach conducive to a good night’s sleep. However, the properties harnessed within the ocean can reveal many health benefits. When embarking on any form of new health regime, it’s always wise to have a conversation with your doctor to get the go ahead. So, take a look at these ways of how we have used the sea to enhance our health.
Salt
Sea salt is a more refined and pure version of table salt. With added iodine and caking agent, it’s not wise to bathe in table salt to aid the dryness of your skin, whereas sea salt’s high magnesium content has a useful anti-inflammatory effect.
For those afflicted with the seasonal nuisance of hay fever, new products are now available that involve a sea salt air nasal irrigation, which when used in conjunction with antihistamines can decrease the level of inflammation within the nose.
Algae
Marine algae are rich in calcium, boron, magnesium, and silicon. Each of these nutrients supports the maintenance of strong bones and healthy bone density. As we grow older, our bone density naturally decreases, so it is wise to counteract this by increasing the levels of nutrients in our diet that promotes good bone health. This can be achieved by taking a calcium carbonate based supplement.
Unlike other calcium supplements that may cause nausea or bloating, calcium carbonate derived from marine algae tells quite a different story. There have been no reported AlgaeCal side effects in clinical studies or from consumers. This means you can reap the health benefits and go about your daily life, worry free.
Seaweed
The latest tasty morsel to join the superfood craze is seaweed. The Japanese have been raving about its health benefits for centuries and have been eating it for just as long. With the highest life expectancy of any country in the world, they must be getting something right.
Seaweed is an all encompassing name for many types of sea vegetable leaf, such as kelp and dulse. Dulse is high in protein and can be eaten as a snack in the same way as crisps. Kelp has one of the largest concentrations of naturally occurring iodine. If you become iodine deficient, you could be at risk at hyperthyroidism and kelp supplements as well as medication derived from kelp has been used for decades to combat this.
Oysters
You with love them or hate them but oysters are an incredible source of zinc. This is a mineral not naturally stored in the body, so it needs to be sourced from food. Zinc helps ensure a strong pigment in the retina, promoting good eyesight. It also stabilizes mood, warding off anxiety and depression. The health benefits of oysters may make it worth enduring the slimy texture.
It’s time to look at our coastline and sea through different eyes. The ocean is full of health enhancing qualities, many of which we are only just discovering.
