Introducing New Superfronds Sea Vegetable Blends
Marine Vitality ultimate seaweed formula—captures the diverse nutrients and bioactive compounds of 6 different seaweeds in a low-iodine blend + Vital Reds: all the benefits red seaweeds have to offer.
I’m excited to be offering two new seaweed powder formulations, bringing together the diverse nutrient profiles and bioactive constituents of different seaweeds in two unique blends.
**Note: Limited quantities are available on these blends for the moment.**
While we can make some generalizations about the nutrient content and chemical composition of different seaweed species, constituents vary considerably from sample to sample as seaweeds directly absorb nutrients from and create chemicals in response to the highly dynamic ocean environment in which they live. Thus, it is impossible to know with any certainty, the precise nutrient content of an individual seaweed sample, and, in fact, seaweed nutrient content often varies significantly from that listed on the nutrition label.
This is why I find seaweed blends to be one of the best ways to “hedge your bets” and get a broader array of the diverse nutrients and medicinal constituents that different seaweeds have to offer than you would from a single seaweed.
And I’ve found seaweed flakes, granules, and powders to be some of the easiest ways to integrate small amounts of seaweed into your daily diet: one of the best ways to eat these nutrient-dense foods is as a condiment. 3-5 grams (approximately 1 tsp) of seaweed per day for adults is the recommendation in much of the literature and among folks who know seaweeds.
Superfronds Marine Vitality Sea Vegetable Blend came into being as I am often teaching about the benefits of mixing and matching your seaweeds from the different classes—red, green, and brown—to harness the unique vitamin and mineral content and health supportive properties of each grouping, yet I didn’t have a blend that included green seaweeds among my offerings. I wanted to also create a mix comprised predominantly of low-iodine containing seaweeds1 for an overall iodine content that is less than blends with higher-iodine containing seaweeds, for more frequent and versatile usage. Many of the seaweeds in this blend are also a good source of phosphorus and iron and contain selenium, zinc, and other vitamin and mineral co-factors that support thyroid health, as well as uncommonly available trace elements, such as manganese, copper, cobalt, and molybdenum.
And so, this mild-flavored, decidedly salty, power-packed mix was born…
Superfronds Marine Vitality Sea Vegetable Blend Features:
Nori (Porphyra/Pyropia spp.)
A mild red seaweed with relatively high protein content, Nori is also one of the lowest iodine-containing seaweeds.2 Nori species tested for nutrients generally feature high amounts of vitamins A, C, and K; B vitamins, particularly folate; calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium. Nori species also contain a host of minerals and trace elements in smaller amounts—iron, copper, and manganese—as well as antioxidant carotenoids. Nori has one of the highest Essential Fatty Acid content of all the seaweeds, and some Porphyra species tested tend to have a higher selenium content than other seaweeds.
Sea Lettuce (Ulva lactuca)
One of the few green seaweeds used in culinary applications, Sea Lettuce is also a relatively protein-rich seaweed with a low iodine content (compared to other seaweeds).3 Ulva species tend to be good sources of sodium, potassium, iron (up to 78% RDA), magnesium, chromium, zinc, phosphorus, copper, and manganese (up to 49% RDA), as well as 50% of your daily dose of vitamins C and K. They also contain antioxidant carotenoids and chlorophyll. Mineral analysis has reveled some of the highest content of calcium, iron, magnesium, and manganese among seaweeds. Sea Lettuce contains the sulfated polysaccharide ulvan, which has been well studied for its medicinal properties.
Gigartina (Mastocarpus spp.)
Gigartina is another red seaweed valued for its high carrageenan content. Carrageenan is a sulfated polysaccharide, which has been studied for its substantial antiviral activity (ability to prevent viral cell attachment), immunomodulatory activity, and antioxidant capacity, among many other properties. Also generally containing a moderate amount of vitamins A, C, K, and B complex, Gigartina species tested have been shown to contain magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium, as well as some iron, phosphorus, zinc, and copper. It has a low to mid-range iodine content compared to other seaweeds, and it contains the antioxidant pigments phycocyanin and phycoerythrin.
Bullwhip Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana)
Bullwhip Kelp is the most mineral-rich brown seaweed that I know of: super salty—highest in potassium salts—and around 40% total mineral content. Though containing significant iodine compared to other seaweeds, it has one of the lowest iodine contents of all the kelps. It also contains the highly antioxidant phenolic compounds phlorotannins (found in brown seaweeds) that have been shown to reduce oxidative cellular damage as well as neuroprotective and antiviral activity.
Wakame (Alaria marginata)
A relatively low iodine-containing brown seaweed, our local Wakame tends to have a good amount of fucoidan, a highly medicinal sulfated polysaccharide well-studied for its antiviral, neuroprotective, antioxidant, anticancer, and immunomodulatory properties, among others, as well as its profound ability to support the health and regeneration of various tissues of the body. It is a high-protein seaweed and contains many of the vitamins, minerals, and trace elements similar to the other seaweeds in this blend, particularly vitamins A and C. Alaria species have been shown to contain relatively high amounts of potassium, phosphorus, and selenium among seaweeds, and it also contains phlorotannins, like many other brown seaweeds.
Bladderwrack (Fucus spp.)
Bladderwrack is one of my go-to seaweeds for its high fucoidan content, a superlative constituent for enhancing tissue integrity. It is a mid-range iodine-containing brown seaweed, that also has significant phlorotannin content, as well as containing the gamut of vitamins, minerals and trace elements that other seaweeds contain, generally in mid-range amounts (compared to other seaweeds). Some Fucus species tested showed significant quantities of calcium and copper.
Superfronds Vital Reds Sea Vegetable Blend
is a blend that combines all the best that various red seaweeds have to offer (see Gigartina note above). Because red seaweeds often have a highly variable carrageenan content—both in terms of quantity and carrageenan type—this blend offers a range of carrageenans (with varied bioactivity) in hopes of highlighting and enhancing the carrageenan complex for optimal support.
Red seaweeds containing carrageenan have also been traditionally used as lung tonics and to treat lung ailments by many cultures throughout the world. These seaweeds contain many other bioactive compounds, including other medicinal polysaccharides, a diverse array of antioxidant pigments, and other antioxidant constituents, as well as diverse vitamin and mineral profiles and generally mid-range iodine content. Red seaweeds have some of the highest manganese content among seaweeds.
Superfronds Vital Reds Sea Vegetable Blend features a mix of some of our best red seaweeds Gigartina (Mastocarpus spp.), Iridaea (Iridaea cordata), Irish Moss (Chondrus crispus), and Dulse (Palmaria palmata). These seaweeds contain small amounts of a range of nutrients: iodine, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and B complex, as well as Essential Fatty Acid content, and trace nutrients zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, and chromium. Each contains several antioxidant constituents, including antioxidant pigments phycocyanin and phycoerythrin, and its own unique carrageenan profile, as noted below.
Gigartina (Mastocarpus spp.)
Gigartina species tested have generally shown higher carrageenan content than other red seaweeds (40-60% dry weight). The carrageenan content of this species is predominantly lambda carrageenan, which has been shown to be more biologically active than other carrageenan forms. Gigartina species also contain kappa and iota carrageenans.
Iridaea (Iridaea cordata)
Iridaea is iota carrageenan dominant, but also contains kappa and lambda carrageenans.
Irish Moss (Chondrus crispus)
Irish Moss contains primarily kappa, but iota and smaller amounts of lambda carrageenans, and tends to contain large amounts of carrageenan in general (50-60% dry weight). Irish Moss generally has some of the highest vitamin A content among seaweeds, as well as high calcium and manganese content (can be over 70% RDA).
Dulse (Palmaria palmata)
Dulse contains 20-30% dry weight carrageenans, primarily kappa carrageenan. Dulse samples tested are generally high in iron, copper, selenium, and zinc. Dulse contains mid-low range iodine (lowest among brown and red) and tends to have a higher iodine content than other red seaweeds. Dulse samples tested have also shown high vitamin C, manganese, and calcium content compared to other red seaweeds. Dulse is usually high in potassium, and like many other seaweeds, features a low sodium/potassium ratio that can help support cardiovascular health.
*Note: Because the polysaccharides of red seaweeds may cause irritation in the bowels for some folks, they are contraindicated in cases of irritable bowel and other disruptive intestinal conditions.
Selected Resources on Seaweed Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds
Circuncisão, AR, MD Catarino, SM Cardoso, and AMS Silva. 2018. “Minerals From Macroalgae Origin: Health Benefits and Risks for Consumers.” Mar Drugs 16 (11): 400.
https://seaveg.com/pages/seaweed-nutrition-facts
Flores, Shireen RL, Joannie Dobbs, and Michael A Dunn. 2015. “Mineral Nutrient Content and Iron Bioavailability in Common and Hawaiian Seaweeds Assessed By an in Vitro Digestion/caco-2 Cell Model.” Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 43: 185–93. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889157515001507
Peñalver, R, JM Lorenzo, G Ros, R Amarowicz, M Pateiro, and G Nieto. 2020. “Seaweeds as a Functional Ingredient for a Healthy Diet.” Mar Drugs 18 (6): 301.
Desideri, D, C Cantaluppi, F Ceccotto, MA Meli, C Roselli, and L Feduzi. 2016. “Essential and Toxic Elements in Seaweeds for Human Consumption.” J Toxicol Environ Health A 79 (3): 112–22. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26817952
Cumashi, A, NA Ushakova, ME Preobrazhenskaya, A D’Incecco, A Piccoli, L Totani, N Tinari, GE Morozevich, AE Berman, MI Bilan, AI Usov, NE Ustyuzhanina, AA Grachev, CJ Sanderson, M Kelly, GA Rabinovich, S Iacobelli, NE Nifantiev, and Italy Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per la Bio-Oncologia. 2007. “A Comparative Study of the Anti-Inflammatory, Anticoagulant, Antiangiogenic, and Antiadhesive Activities of Nine Different Fucoidans From Brown Seaweeds.” Glycobiology 17 (5): 541–52.
Cunha, L, and A Grenha. 2016. “Sulfated Seaweed Polysaccharides as Multifunctional Materials in Drug Delivery Applications.” Mar Drugs 14 (3): 42.
Fitton, Janet Helen. 2011. “Therapies From Fucoidan; Multifunctional Marine Polymers.” Marine Drugs 9 (10): 1731–60.
Hentati, F, L Tounsi, D Djomdi, G Pierre, C Delattre, AV Ursu, I Fendri, S Abdelkafi, and P Michaud. 2020. “Bioactive Polysaccharides From Seaweeds.” Molecules 25 (14): 3152.
Jiao, G, G Yu, J Zhang, and HS Ewart. 2011. “Chemical Structures and Bioactivities of Sulfated Polysaccharides from Marine Algae.” Mar Drugs 9 (2): 196–223.
Liyanage, N. M., D. P. Nagahawatta, Thilina U. Jayawardena, and You-Jin Jeon. 2023. “The Role of Seaweed Polysaccharides in Gastrointestinal Health: Protective Effect Against Inflammatory Bowel Disease.” Life 13 (4): 1026.
Mišurcová, L, S Škrovánková, D Samek, J Ambrožová, and L Machů. 2012. “Health Benefits of Algal Polysaccharides in Human Nutrition.” Adv Food Nutr Res 66: 75–145.
Figueroa, Juan Manuel, Mónica Edith Lombardo, Ariel Dogliotti, Luis Pedro Flynn, Robert Giugliano, Guido Simonelli, Ricardo Valentini, Agñel Ramos, Pablo Romano, Marcelo Marcote, Alicia Michelini, Alejandro Salvado, Emilio Sykora, Cecilia Kniz, Marcelo Kobelinsky, David Manuel Salzberg, Diana Jerusalinsky, and Osvaldo Uchitel. 2021. “Efficacy of a Nasal Spray Containing Iota-Carrageenan in the Postexposure Prophylaxis of Covid-19 in Hospital Personnel Dedicated to Patients Care With Covid-19 Disease.” International Journal of General Medicine Volume 14: 6277–86.
Tamama, Kenichi. 2021. “Potential Benefits of Dietary Seaweeds as Protection Against Covid-19.” Nutrition Reviews 79 (7): 814–23.
Teng, QL, SJ Sui, Z Zhu, Q Gao, H Ge, KQ Wang, LS Lino-Silva, M Sigal, JR White, QH Peng, and YZ Wei. 2023. “A Fucoidan Plant Drink Reduces Helicobacter Pylori Load in the Stomach: A Real-World Study.” Transl Gastroenterol Hepatol 8: 34.
In case you missed it, the latest article on the Marine Herbalism paid subscriber Substack is a fascinating unraveling of the magic and mystery of how seaweeds are able secure attachment—under water and in a highly dynamic ocean environment—an art that humans have yet to fully understand and master! Check it out:
“Low iodine” in comparison to other seaweeds;
Porphyra and Ulva species tested have been shown to have a range of iodine that can be anywhere from 25-400% of the 150µg/day standard RDA, per 5 gram serving—significantly lower than other seaweeds, but not necessarily compared to other foods.
Porphyra and Ulva species tested have been shown to have a range of iodine that can be anywhere from 25-400% of the 150µg/day standard RDA, per 5 gram serving—significantly lower than other seaweeds, but not necessarily compared to other foods.