August 02, 2021

How Sea Moss Can Improve Your Mental Health

Most people are familiar with the immune-protective and weight management benefits of sea moss since they're the ones most widely talked about as well.

But less highlighted is the fact that this edible seaweed might also help maintain mental health.

The mind is as important as the body, so today we’ll be sharing with you some of the interesting effects sea moss can have on your mental wellbeing.

Neuro-protective Effects

Parkinson’s disease is the second most commonly occurring degenerative disease among older adults. It causes stiffness and slowed movement leading to tremors, and to date, there is no cure.

Early research with sea moss – most particularly red algae – has been shown to have neuroprotective properties, which may be extremely beneficial in decelerating the progression of never-degeneration disorders.

In a study conducted on worms, sea moss extracts decreased the accumulation of α-Synuclein (a neuronal protein genetically linked to Parkinson's disease) and reduced slowness and stiffness of movement.

Even though more research is required to confirm whether sea moss could have the same effects on humans, these primary folds do offer a ray of hope.

Moreover, sea moss is rich in potassium, a nutrient that is crucial for optimum functioning of body cells and also improves general behavior and cognitive function.

This is also why potassium-rich foods are recommended for managing depression, agitation, and anxiety.

And lastly, the B vitamins found in sea moss are important for energy production and maintaining the function of the nervous system. Plus, they also help reduce symptoms of stress.

Detoxifying Effects

Heavy metals can be found in the air, soil, water, and even the food we consume. The long-term, low-level exposure to heavy metals can lead to various health problems, including fatigue, neuropsychiatric imbalances, headaches, altered cognitive functioning, and even infections such as candida.

Sea moss can be used for heavy metal detoxification since it contains the phytonutrient algin, which may help excrete heavy metals from the body’s tissues and decrease toxicity levels.

Final Thoughts

Although several animal studies have linked sea moss to mental health improvement, human-controlled trials supporting these claims are still lacking.

However, due to its extremely beneficial and abundant vitamin and mineral content, sea moss is most likely a healthy and natural addition to your balanced whole food diet.

Looking to try some? Shop online here and enjoy the benefits of sea moss from today!

Sources:

Schepers, M., Martens, N., Tiane, A., Vanbrabant, K., Liu, H. B., Lütjohann, D., Mulder, M., &Vanmierlo, T. (2020). Edible seaweed-derived constituents: an undisclosed source of neuroprotective compounds. Neural regeneration research, 15(5), 790–795.https://doi.org/10.4103/1673-5374.268894.

Liu, J., Banskota, A. H., Critchley, A. T., Hafting, J., &Prithiviraj, B. (2015).Neuroprotective effects of the cultivated Chondruscrispus in a C. elegans model of Parkinson's disease. Marine drugs, 13(4), 2250–2266.https://doi.org/10.3390/md13042250.

Mrug, S., Orihuela, C., Mrug, M., & Sanders, P. W. (2019). Sodium and potassium excretion predicts increased depression in urban adolescents. Physiological reports, 7(16), e14213.https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.14213.

KENNETH CLARE, CHAPTER 6 - ALGIN, Editor(s): ROY L. WHISTLER, JAMES N. BEMILLER, Industrial Gums (Third Edition), Academic Press, 1993, Pages 105-143. ISBN 9780080926544.https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-092654-4.50010-3.

Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780080926544500103