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Red Seaweed’s Power To Fight Cancer & More
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Red Seaweed and Breast Cancer
A study from Malaysia shows that red seaweed can be effective against the growth of breast cancer cells. A study performed on rats with active breast cancer development found that treatment with red seaweed extract was quite effective at inducing cell death (apoptosis) in cancerous tumors. According to the study, the treatment lowered cancer cell viability from 84.9 percent to only 0.8 percent.
Another study from Malaysia found that a treatment based on red seaweed extract given over a period of four weeks was 27 percent more effective at reducing breast cancer tumor growth than Tamoxifen, a conventional treatment.
Tamoxifen is also known to have very serious and unpleasant side effects, including the development of lesions in the kidneys and liver. The red seaweed-based treatment, however, showed none of these effects.
Now, let’s not get too carried away. This was a study on rats, after all, not humans. But a different study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that seaweed consumption was linked to a decreased risk for developing breast cancer in both menopausal women and those who had yet to begin menopause.
Taken as a whole, these results are very encouraging and offer great promise for an effective, red seaweed-based breast cancer treatment one day.
But Wait, There’s More
Red seaweed is also an exceptionally good source of protein. According to a report from Natural News, 100 grams of dried nori can offer up to 50 grams of protein! To put that in perspective, the same amount of beef has only around 25 grams. This is great news for vegetarians and vegans, who may find it difficult to get the protein they need.
There is also evidence that nori can help lower the body’s levels of harmful LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. High LDL levels are related to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and other forms of cardiovascular disease.
READ ALSO: Seaweed: An Ocean Superfood For Better Health Video
Take care when purchasing red seaweed or seaweed extract, and make sure you’re buying from a reputable brand, as there’s some concern that some seaweed products have been contaminated in the wake of the Fukushima disaster in Japan. Nevertheless, red seaweed has proven itself to be a true superfood over the centuries, and it will make a fine addition to any health-conscious person’s diet.
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