The world of health supplements makes big promises about a mind-boggling array of powders and pills. Various types of seaweed and algae are no different, and they come into vogue every few years as they are advertised as “super foods.” One type of algae, spirulina, has been popular with American health food fans for several decades. The seaweed seanol is newer on the scene.
What is Seanol
Seanol is the trade name of ecklonia cava, a brown seaweed that grows in the North Pacific off South Korea’s coast. Dr. Stephen Sinatra, a cardiologist who sells supplements, claims that seanol can be used as a pain reliever, an energy enhancer and a weight loss aid, and that it can normalize cholesterol. Others use seanol to treat asthma, allergies and erectile dysfunction. But its most promising role seems to be as an antioxidant powerhouse. At upwards of a hundred dollars for a three-month supply, it’s a pricey supplement.
What is Spirulina
Spirulina is a blue-green algae that grows on lakes around the world. Its soft cell walls make it easily digestible by humans. The pigment gives it the blue color is phycocyanin, which is said to protect kidneys against side effects of certain medications. People eat spirulina for its high protein and mineral content and to boost energy.
Nutritional Content of Seanol
Seaweeds contain few calories and almost no fat, yet they are packed with minerals from the ocean. They are high in iron, iodine, magnesium and sodium, and are also sources of vitamins A, B-1, C and E. Seanol is especially noted for its concentration of antioxidants. The Oxygen Radical Absorbent Capacity scale, or ORAC scale, is used to compare the antioxidant value of different foods. Seanol has a very high score of 8,368. Dr. Sinatra points out that many health foods have an ORAC rating in the hundreds or low thousands. However, a look at the USDA ORAC scale reveals that such common foods as ginger root, dark chocolate, marjoram, oregano, peppermint, sage and lentils score almost as high or higher than seanol. These other foods are less expensive and many people may prefer the taste of chocolate or peppermint over that of seaweed.
Nutritional Content of Spirulina
You can buy spirulina raw, dried or in tablets and capsules. The dried form supplies more nutrition than the raw does. A 10 gram serving of spirulina, which equals about a tablespoon and a half, contains 29 calories and 5.75 grams of protein. Dried spirulina is also a good source of niacin, iron, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, copper and beta-carotene. Most people find that it tastes better mixed into a something rather than eaten from the spoon.
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