 |
        
|
• Kombu Sea Vegetation (Laminaria spp.)
Kombu is a dark green long thick sea vegetable from the kelp family. It is used frequently in Japanese cooking. Kombu (Laminaria japonica) belongs to the brown algae or Phaeophyceae. Kelp dry matter contains approximately 8% protein, 8% crude fiber, 55% carbohydrate (polysaccharides), and 27% minerals. The brown algae are important because of their mineral and polysaccharide content. These phyto-polysaccharides are widely used in foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, and as nutritional supplements. Kombu is also rich in calcium, magnesium, iron, folate, and particularly in iodine (1.7 – 2.6 mg/g). Iodine is an essential trace element, which is vital to the function of the thyroid gland. Iodine is required for the synthesis of thyroid hormones (triiodothyronine/T3 and thyroxine/T4). Thyroid hormones regulate a number of physiologic processes, including growth, development, metabolism, and reproductive function. Moderate deficiency of iodine may result in a goiter. In addition, iodine deficiency may result in a wide spectrum of effects on growth and development, particularly on brain development. Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of preventable mental deficit in the world. Kombu contains the polysaccharide algin. Algin is present in these organisms as a mixed salt (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium) of alginic acid. Calcium alginate, the calcium salt of alginic acid, is used as a wound dressing for the treatment of exudative wounds. Sailors have been treating their wounds with seaweed for hundreds of years. Sodium alginate, the sodium salt of alginic acid, is present in some antacid products and is effective for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Sodium alginate binds tightly to such substances as strontium, calcium, barium, cadmium and radium. Cows have been fed sodium alginate, which binds to radioactive strontium 90, causing it to pass out of the body without any of it getting absorbed. Sodium alginate has also been used to treat Itai-Itai-Byo disease. This disease has been found in Japan and is believed to be due to poisoning by cadmium-containing water used to irrigate rice. Painful joints are the major symptom of this disease. Sodium alginate may be considered a soluble fiber. Similar to other soluble fibers like pectin and psyllium, sodium alginate may have hypocholesterolemic and glycemic-regulatory activities. It may also have detoxification activity. In addition lower rates of breast cancers have been reported in Japanese women eating a diet high in kelp. Lignans, which help fight cancer are found in high quantity in kelp and may provide protection against certain cancers.
Neue Age. 