Seagreens, Allergies and Intolerances

Seagreens has many uses for those suffering from allergies and intolerances. But first, what is the difference between and allergy and intolerance? The terms are often used interchangeably but there is a difference. The Oxford Concise Colour Medical Dictionary defines an allergy as:

“ a disorder in which the body becomes hypersensitive to particular antigens (called allergens) which provoke characteristic symptoms whenever they are subsequently inhaled, ingested, injected, or otherwise contacted”

An intolerance is defined as “the inability of a patient to tolerate a particular drug, manifested by various adverse reactions” In the case of food intolerances, food is the drug.

Food allergies and intolerances are becoming increasingly common. However, many are self-diagnosed and therefore may not be allergies or intolerances at all. If you suspect you have an allergy or intolerance, it is important to have it tested by your GP and seek professional medical advice. Cutting out food groups in the belief they are causing the problems can lead to a very restricted diet which in itself can cause many health problems.

Most of the ingredients in food which give rise to allergies can be consumed from seaweed without the same symptoms. The diets we eat today are often high in ingredients which can aggravate the digestive tract. Wheat, caffeine, alcohol and dairy are often common causes of gastro intestinal discomfort and upset. Seagreens can be incorporated into the diet either through the Food Capsules or the Culinary Ingredient and will provide you with a full complement of nutrients needed by the body for optimal health. There are no known allergic substances in Seagreens and since their introduction in 1998, not one case of an intolerance or biological reaction has been reported.

Seagreens can also help some of the symptoms associated with food allergies and intolerances such as gastro intestinal problems and IBS.

For more information, visit the Seagreens website at www.seagreens.co.uk or email info@seagreens.co.uk or info@wisechoicenutrition.co.uk

Reference: Oxford Concise Colour Medical Dictionary. Oxford University Press, 4th ed. 

Seaweed and behavioural conditions in children

Seagreens may have a role to play in the management of ADHD and hyperactivity in children. 2 food capsules or 1g of food granules was found to significantly help behaviour. Not only does Seagreens ensure the child has a broad range of nutrients in their diet but also, Seagreens contain glyco-muco-polysaccharides (long unbranched polysaccharides which form an important component of connective tissue especially near joints).

Seagreens can be used to aid the withdrawal from drugs such as Ritalin. Many parents dislike the effect Ritalin has on their child but find it difficult to manage their child’s behaviour without it. Seagreens products are completely natural with nothing added or taken away. They are milled at the point of harvest on the coast of the Outer Hebrides.

Increasing the daily dose from 2 capsules to 4 or increasing the food granules to 2 teaspoons (1/2 a gram) before, during and after the withdrawal from Ritalin can help the child come off Ritalin and stabilise behaviour. In some cases, it may be beneficial to keep the dosage at the higher level for 3-4 weeks after the withdrawal. Depending upon the severity of the child and the age, a higher dose may be required. Some children may be able to return to the 2 capsules a day or 1 teaspoon of the granules but each child is different. Seagreens is endorsed by the UK Hyperactive Children’s Support Group.

If you would like to know more visit www.seagreens.co.uk or email info@seagreens.co.uk or info@wisechoicenutrition.co.uk

New recipe from one of our customers

We love hearing how you use Seagreens and seaweed in cooking. Here is a recipe from one of our customer's Fi which uses seaweed.

Sea-side Chicken Bites for Kids

Makes 12-15

2 chicken breasts (250g)

2 tbsps rice flour

1 ½  tbsps dried sea lettuce, finely chopped

Freshly ground pepper

5 rice cakes (25g)

Free range Egg

Local Rapeseed oil

Oven 200C Gas 6

1.   Wash the chicken and pat it dry with kitchen towel. Cut it into large (3cm) chunks.

2.   Put the flour and half of the finely ground sea lettuce into a plastic bag and season with a little black pepper.

3.   Add the chicken pieces, two at a time, to the flour mixture and shake well to coat the chicken. Repeat to coat all of the chicken chunks.

4.   Put the rice cakes and remaining sea lettuce into a plastic bag, seal and gently crush the rice cakes, using a small rolling pin (a child size rolling pin works well). Pour the crushed rice cakes and sea lettuce into a large bowl and use the your fingers to break down any lumps.

5.   Lightly beat the egg with a fork and put it into another bowl.

6.   Dip the sea-side coated chicken bites in the egg, and then coat them in the crushed sea lettuce rice cakes.

7.   Place the bites on to a non-stick baking tray and drizzle minimal rapeseed oil over the top.

8.   Bake in the pre-heated oven for 10-12 minutes (until when tested with a skewer, the chicken juices are clear). 

Serve with homemade tomato ketchup

ALWAYS HAVE A GROWN-UP IN THE KITCHEN WHEN YOU COOK

Copyright www.stirrinstuff.org

Recipe from Fi Bird author of Kids' Kitchen (Barefoot Books 2009). Fi is also publishing a book on foraging which will be available in Spring 2013 and has a section on coastal seaweed in it.

Pasta sauce recipe

Here’s a recipe for using Seagreens in a homemade tomato sauce. It’s ideal for pasta and could have meat, in particular chicken added if you wish. The quantities are for 1 person so you will need to multiply these if you are cooking for more

2 small handful of pasta (preferably wholemeal)

1 tbsp olive oil

1 onion

1 small tin of chopped tomatoes/ passata

2 small carrots

Broccoli

2 tablespoons sour cream (optional)

½ teaspoon Seagreens culinary ingredient

½ teaspoon oregano

Grated cheese


1.    Cook the pasta according to the instructions 
2.    Peel and chop the onion and carrots, fry all the vegetables and add the passata and herbs     and stir. Leave to simmer while the pasta is cooking. If the sauce becomes dry, add a little water
3.    Serve with grated cheese

This is a really quick recipe, great for rushed dinners. More vegetables can be added especially if you have some which need using up. If you have small children who are fussy over vegetables, blend the source before serving to hide them.

To find out more about Seagreens, visit www.seagreens.co.uk or email info@seagreens.co.uk or info@wisechoicenutrition.co.uk

Seaweed and cardiovascular disease

The polysaccharides in brown seaweeds are believed to have many properties which protect against and be useful in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, in particular, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disorders and artherosclorosis (the furring of arteries).  Artherosclorosis can lead to narrowing of the arteries which in turn restricts blood flow. If a clot is in the blood, it may get stuck in a narrow artery leading to a stroke or heart attack.

They also help regulate blood lipid levels and blood sugar which can be factors causing cardiovascular disease. Enzymes involved in the beta-oxidation of fatty acids are also activated by the polysaccharides. This also helps regulate blood lipid levels and prevent hyperlipidemia (high fat levels in the blood)

Seagreens may also be beneficial to those people suffering from raised blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause strokes in severe cases and is known as the silent killer. There are rarely any symptoms with high blood pressure. Taking Seagreens daily and eating a healthy balanced diet, low in salt, combined with regular exercise can help lower blood pressure. Optimum blood pressure is 120/80.

Seaweed also helps control cholesterol levels which when raised can be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Seaweed can also help make blood less “sticky” (it has an anti-coagulant effect) which also helps it flow more freely around the body.

For more information visit www.seagreens.co.uk or email info@seagreens.co.uk or info@wisechoicenutrition.co.uk

Seaweed and arthritis

It’s been reported in the news today (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2149721/Seaweed-pill-help-beat-arthritis.html) that seaweed may have an anti-inflammatory effect and therefore could be useful in treating chronic conditions such as arthritis and other conditions which cause inflammation of joints.

The seaweed has been discovered off the coast of Hawaii and was destroying coral reefs but tests have found it is a potent anti-inflammatory. There may also be a use for it in the treatment of cancer and heart disease however; this has not been proven yet.

Several types of algae and cyanobacteria are known to produce novel compounds (new combinations of different chemicals). Many of these are showing promising use for drug development for humans and other uses too.

Seaweed and Seagreens have also been identified as possibly protecting against certain types of cancer and heart disease. Seaweed contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals which act as anti-oxidants and scavenge the free radicals which can be cancer causing. It also contains high amounts of fibre.

Seaweed may help prevent heart disease as it changes the lipid profile in the blood and lowers cholesterol which are believed to be causes of heart disease. As seaweed is also an appetite suppressant it therefore reduces the amount people eat which may help people who are overweight to lose weight and therefore reduce the risk of heart disease.

To find out more visit www.seagreens.co.uk or email info@seagreens.co.uk or info@wisechoicenutrition.co.uk

Seagreens and weightloss

Several studies (in particular Paxman et al., 2008) have identified a positive relationship between seaweed and weightloss. It has been found the alginate in seaweed can help reduce energy intake in overweight adults. It has been found that when seaweed is consumed, especially when Seagreens granules are used in food, people are less hungry at their next meal. Not only does this mean less Calories are consumed at the meal but also, less snacking occurs between meals. It is often the snacking which is most Calorific especially when junk food is eaten as there is no nutritional value to it.

Not only is seaweed believed to help people lose weight and decrease energy intake, seaweed also has a cholesterol lowering effect and may help stabilise blood glucose levels too. High cholesterol and blood sugar are commonly associated with obesity so using Seagreens can help prevent these diseases beginning in obese patients.

Here are a few ways you could use Seagreens to help you lose weight:

•       Take the capsules (between 2 and 6) each day
•       Use Seagreens culinary ingredient in bread to help you start the day with Seagreens and    lower your energy intake from the start
•       Sprinkle a teaspoon of Seagreens culinary ingredient on cooking such as spaghetti bolognaise and other pasta dishes, curry and stir fry

If you would like to buy Seagreens products they are available here http://www.oceansofgoodness.co.uk/SeagreensCulinaryIngredient.aspx

To find out more, email info@seagreens.co.uk