Children of Israel: SEA MOSS OR SEAWEED IS UNCLEAN
Leviticus 11:9 KJV
These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat.
Seamoss or Seaweed include members of the red, brown and green algae. They are members of the kingdom Protista meaning they are not Plants. They do not have vascular system (internal transport system) of plants and do not have roots, stems, leaves, and flower or cones. Like plants they use the pigment chlorophyll for photosynthesis but also contain other pigments which may be coloured red, blue, brown or gold.
They are divided into three groups:
Brown Algae (Phaeophyta)
Green Algae (Chlorophyta)
Red Algae (Rhodophyta)
Seamoss or Seaweed Reproduction
Seamoss or Seaweed life and reproductive cycles can be quite complicated. Some seaweeds are perennial, living for many years, while are annuals. Annual seaweeds generally begin to grow in the spring, and continue throughout the summer. Some red seaweeds have a life span of 6 to 10 years.
Seamoss or Seaweeds can reproduce sexually, by the joining of specialized male and female reproductive cells, called gametes. After they are released from the sporophyte, the spores settle and grow into male and female plants called gametophytes. The gametophytes produce gametes (sperm or eggs). The sperm and eggs are either retained within the gametophyte plant body, or released into the water. Eggs are fertilized when the sperm and egg fuse together, and a zygote is formed. Zygotes develop and grow into sporophytes, and the life cycle continues.
Seamoss or Seaweeds display a variety of different reproductive and life cycles and the description above is only a general example of one type, called alternation of generations. In a few species there is an alternating sexual and asexual reproductive process with every generation.
Seamoss or Seaweeds can also reproduce asexually through fragmentation or division. This occurs when parts of a plant break off and develop directly into new individuals. All offspring resulting from asexual reproduction are clones; they are genetically identical to each other and the parent seaweed.
Sea moss or seaweed side effects
As fantastic as sea moss or seaweed is, it does come with some side effects you should be aware of. Like anything else in life, there are drawbacks you should be aware of, mainly if your body is already predisposed to specific effects from other supplements. Let’s go over several side effects that can occur from taking sea moss.
1. Thyroid inflammation
One of the issues with sea moss is the amount of iodine it contains. Consuming a healthy amount of iodine will be beneficial for your overall health. However, if you don’t moderate the amount of sea moss or seaweed you are adding to your smoothies or taking from capsules, it could lead to severe thyroid problems. The consumption of too much iodine can lead to thyroid disorders. Symptoms may include rapid heartbeat, weight loss, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, muscle weakness, decreased ability to concentrate and focus.
The most common thyroid a person can get is Hashimoto's disease. This particular disease is a condition in which your immune system attacks the thyroid. The thyroid is a small gland that can be found at the base of your neck below Adam’s apple. Iodine is known as a micronutrient necessary forth the production of thyroid hormones.
2. May Worsen Sensitivity to Iodine
3. May Pose Risk of Metal Contamination
4. May Cause Digestive Issues
5. May Have Drug Interactions
6. May Exacerbate Autoimmune Diseases
7. May Cause Allergic Reactions
8. Burning mouth or throat sensation
It’s important to be aware of potential severe side effects of sea moss in rare cases. These include:
Blood Clotting disorders: Sea moss contains compounds that may have blood thinning properties. While this can be beneficial for some individuals, those with blood clotting disorders or who are taking blood thinning medications should exercise caution. Sea moss may interact with these medications and increase the risk of bleeding.
Severe allergic reactions: A severe allergic reaction is a serious side effect possible with any medication or food. There are reports of severe allergic reactions to carrageenan, a substance in sea moss. If you're having a severe allergic reaction, symptoms may include breathing difficulty, itchiness and rash.
- Iodine poisoning: Since sea moss has iodine, there is a chance that you might take too much iodine.45 If your iodine levels are dangerously high, you may experience a weak heartbeat and coma.7 High iodine levels may also lead to hypothyroidism.13 Too much iodine might also result in a life-threatening condition of thyrotoxicosis in people with hyperthyroidism.15 Symptoms of thyroid problems may include weight changes and excessive tiredness.
- Metal toxicity: Generally, seaweed may have toxic metals—like lead and mercury—based on where they grew.20 Symptoms of lead or mercury toxicity may include headaches and changes in thinking.
- Arsenic poisoning: Arsenic poisoning is also possible with seaweeds—like sea moss.20
Short-term symptoms of arsenic poisoning may include nausea and diarrhea, but longer-term exposure might result in developing diabetes (high blood sugar) and cancer.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) flare-up: Carrageenan may trigger an IBD flare-up.12 Symptoms of a potential IBD flare-up may include stomach pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.
What is Carrageenan?
Carrageenan is an additive used to thicken, emulsify, and preserve foods and drinks. It’s a natural ingredient that comes from red seaweed (also called Irish moss).
Dangers and side effects of Carrageenan
Increased inflammation can lead to a greater likelihood of other diseases, such as:
- inflammatory bowel disease
- arthritis
- tendonitis
- chronic cholecystitis, or gallbladder inflammation
Common sources of Carrageenan
- chocolate milk
- cottage cheese
- ice cream
- almond milk
- diary alternatives, such as vegan cheeses or nondairy desserts
- coconut milk
- creamers
- hemp milk
- rice milk
- soy milk
- deli meats
- some baby formulas
