Sea Minerals

The magical sea offers a wealth of therapeutic benefits to humans. Many cultures, such as the Chinese, have utilized these benefits for thousands of years to restore and maintain optimum health. In fact, many people believe it makes sense to turn to the sea to find solutions to human health issues because all terrestrial life originated from the sea.

Marine biology is a modern science devoted to studying the secrets of organic marine life, and is constantly uncovering potential ways to treat numerous diseases, for example cancer and AIDS. The ocean also provides inorganic health benefits in the form of minerals.

Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic elements coming from the earth. They are minute but solid in structure and insoluble in water. Minerals found in the sea are essentially the same as minerals found on land, but the human body can assimilate minerals from the sea more readily because they are available in an ionized form.

The ocean is a solvent that can dissolve most elements found in nature by physical and chemical means, breaking minerals are broken down into their ionic form. Ionic minerals have either a positive or negative charge, and are referred to as radical because of their ability to bond with other ions.

This extraordinary bonding process creates the various mineral complexes needed for different functions within the human body. A concentrated solution of ocean water contains a rich diversity of minerals and trace elements, with up to eighty-four ionic minerals that can act either individually or in synergy.

The human body is a complex system of diverse but interrelated functions working together in an attempt to achieve optimum health. Minerals play a vital role in this system, being fundamental to human life.

Almost every part of the human body requires one or more minerals to function properly and help prevent diseases. While the body requires other nutrients, namely carbohydrates, protein, fats, water and vitamins for good health, the role of minerals should not be undervalued. Minerals provide an environment that unlocks the other nutrients, thus allowing the body to utilize them. In fact, without minerals the other nutrients are almost useless to the body, even when intake levels are adequate.

Minerals and their main functions
Calcium regulates nerve transmissions and heart muscles; and is crucial in building teeth and bones (99% is stored in our bones and teeth). Calcium may reduce high blood pressure and evidence suggests it may help prevent colon cancer. Enzymes involved in fat and protein digestion are activated by calcium.

Phosphorous strengthens bones and teeth. It is present in all cells of the body and is important in almost every chemical reaction, including cell metabolism, muscle contraction, nerve impulses, and protein synthesis. Phosphorus helps maintain optimum pH levels, combines with many B group vitamins to make them effective, and is a component of nucleic acids, both DNA and RNA.

Magnesium is also important in bone and teeth strength. It helps muscles to relax, preventing spasms, tremors and convulsions, as well as being vital for cardiovascular health. Studies show that magnesium may be helpful in treating a number of psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and depression. Magnesium is also necessary in maintaining nerve function, regulation of metabolism, and controlling insulin production.

Zinc is an essential factor of more than twenty enzymes associated with numerous metabolic processes. It has a critical role in reproduction, growth and development, as well as cell division, repair and growth. Zinc may be involved in the activation of vitamin A in the eye; and cataracts, inflammation of the optic nerve and impaired colour discrimination are possibly due to a zinc deficiency.

Iron assists in the formation of haemoglobin and transportation of oxygen to the cells. All body functions and cells require iron, and it is present in various enzymes. It is has a significant role in maintaining the immune system.

Copper helps the body utilize iron, and stimulates the production of hair pigment. It also catalyses the enzymes associated with muscle and nerve fibers. Copper is necessary for bone development, taste sensitivity, collagen maturation, elastin formation, and melanin. It is also important in energy production, certain proteins, and the metabolism of ascorbic acid.

Manganese is essential for bone growth and repair, and the proper functioning of the nervous system. Working with numerous enzymes, it assists in fat, carbohydrate and protein metabolic processes. Manganese is also important in glucose tolerance, as well as in the functioning of the immune system.

Chromium regulates blood sugar levels and improves utilization of glucose. It is also important in keeping cholesterol levels down (high cholesterol is often linked to high insulin levels). Chromium may be useful in reducing body fat, while increasing muscle mass.

Selenium is in all body tissues, and is recognised as an antioxidant, preventing some forms of cancer. It is necessary for the utilsation of vitamin E. Skin condtions, like acne, improve when treated with a combination of selenium and vitamin E. Mental wellbeing, depression, fatigue respond well when selenium levels are increased. Studies found that a selenium deficiency often causes cardiovascular diseases, and it protects against the toxic effects of copper, arsenic and mercury.

Iodine is necessary for metabolic processes of cells, and is a vital part of the thyroid hormones that regulate growth, circulation, and functioning of the nervous system.

Potassium regulates osmosis and water balance, is essential for cell metabolism and hormone secretion, as well as stimulating and maintaining muscle contractions and nerve signals. It is essential for maintaining normal blood pressure, therefore reducing cardiovascular disease.

Listing minerals separately does not adequately show how they work with each other, or with other nutrients. When several minerals are important in the same function, they have probably bonded in some so they can work together effectively.

The mineral content of our body is essentially as good as the mineral content of the soil in which the plants grow and the type of foods we eat. Unfortunately, we may not be getting all the minerals our body requires because of the depleted mineral content of soils caused by intensive farming practices and the use of artificial fertilizers. Processed and refined foods, which often make up the bulk of Western diets, do not provide adequate mineral intake. Infections and aging, as well as alcohol and drugs may also deplete mineral levels in our bodies. Mineral supplementation may be needed address deficiencies.

While the minerals are the same of those on dry land, ionized sea mineral solutions are already ionized and continuously forming into useful combinations, ready for assimilation by the body.

Mineral Rich Sources from the Ocean
There is a range of marine products available that are not only rich in sea minerals but also in other numerous nutrients.

Phytoplankton
Some nutritionists believe marine phytoplankton are the ocean’s perfect food. Phytoplankton are the first plant on Earth, providing nutrition for all marine life, either directly or through the food chain. They are vital in maintaining the atmosphere, generating more oxygen than all other plant life.

Marine phytoplankton are considered to be a complete food source, providing almost all the raw materials required by the human body to generate new cells and neuro-chemicals for the brain. Research shows that phytoplankton work by correcting the imbalances that cause chronic illness and disease.

Nutritional properties of phytoplankton include the minerals boron, calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, nickel, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, silicon, and zinc. Other nutrients may include alanine, arginine, asparagine, betacarotene, bioflavinoids, biotin, chlorophyll, electrolytes, fibre, folic acid, gamma linolenic acid, glutamic acid, glutamine, glutathione, glycine, glycogen, histidine, lecithin, leucine, lysine, methionine, molybdenum, nucleic acid, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, proline, riboflavine, RNA, serine theonine, valine, vanadium, as well as vitamins B1, B3, B5, B6, B12, C and E.

Phew! Is it any wonder phytoplankton are considered the perfect food?

More information
www.myforevergreen.org/naturallyhealthy

Kelp
Kelp is a large, leafy brown seaweed that grows along colder coastlines. It is probably best known for its iodine content, but is also a rich source of numerous other vitamins and other minerals. Kelp is a staple part of diets in countries like Japan, Hawaii and Alaska, where longevity is well-known. As well as keeping thyroid function healthy and soothing the digestive tract, kelp inhibits the absorption of toxic metals such as mercury, plutonium and cadmium.

Nutritional properties of kelp include the minerals calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silicon, sodium, and zinc. Other nutritional properties include algin, flucoidan, folate, fibre, laminarin, niacin, pantothenic acid, fatty acids, amino acids, riboflavin, thiamin, as well as vitamins A, B6, C D, E and K.

Kelp has many uses in assisting optimal health, however too much iodine in your diet may cause thyroid problems, just as too little can.

More information
www.seahealthproducts.com.au

Coral Calcium
Coral provide a nutrient-rich source of calcium and other minerals. Rain washes nutrient-rich soils into the oceans, which are then absorbed by the coral beds. The alkalinity of the water in these marine areas is around a healthy 7 to 8.5. Coral calcium is derived from fossilized coral sands that have either been washed up onto the shore or vacuumed up from the seabed. The latter normally has a higher mineral content because the sun has not leached the nutrients from the coral. Coral minerals are naturally ionized, making them more readily assimilated by the human body.

Nutritional properties of calcium coral may include more than seventy nutrients. Some these minerals and elements are boron, bromine, calcium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, hydrogen, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, silicon, sodium, sulphur, zinc, and zirconium.

Coral calcium is considered superior because it contains the proportional balance of minerals and elements required by the human body.

More information
www.southpacifichealth.com

Shell Essences
Shell essences therapy uses nature’s life force energy to encourage a healing response in the body. Calcium shells of specific molluscs release vibrational information into the water, when exposed to sunlight. It is this information or energy is captured, and the tincture created by always using the same shell; no shell is ever crushed.

Unlike many other marine remedies that work on a nutritional level, shell essences work on a spiritual level restoring harmony and balance. They access cellular memory, stimulating the body’s natural healing powers, and restoring emotional balance. Positive vibrations replace the body’s negative ones, helping improve the energy flow through the chakra centres.

More information
www.shellessences.com.au