Why would anyone want to eat sea vegetables? Because they offer one of the broadest ranges of minerals of any food, containing virtually all the minerals found in the ocean—and not surprisingly, many of same minerals found in human blood. They are anti-cancer, anticoagulant, antithrombotic, and antivirals.

Sea vegetables are an excellent source of iodine, vitamin C, manganese, and vitamin B2. They are also a very good source of vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids) and copper as well as a good source of protein, pantothenic acid, potassium, iron, zinc, vitamin B6, niacin, phosphorus, and vitamin B1.

While the broad range of minerals provided by sea vegetables make them a great addition to your diet, Westerners are often not quite sure how to add more of these nutrient-rich foods to their meals. One easy way is to keep a container of kelp flakes on the dinner table and use it instead of table salt for seasoning foods. You can also experiment with adding your favorite sea vegetable to vegetable dishes, salads, and miso soups. They are easy to add to dishes as they require no cooking.

Tips for Preparing Sea VegetablesMany types of sea vegetables require soaking for 5-10 minutes before adding to your dish. It is best to follow the directions on the package. The soaking water can be used for soups or to Healthy Sautéeing vegetables. Other types of sea vegetables such as nori and kelp flakes can be used without soaking.


Reprinted from whfoods.org.

 Named the DIRTY DOZEN by the Environmental Working Group (a body which conducted tests on conventional produce and rated the various fruit and vegetable groups according to the amount of pesticides found present), the foods that exhibit the highest levels of pesticide residues are (in order of contamination):

1. Apples
2. Strawberries
3. Grapes
4. Celery
5. Peaches
6. Spinach
7. Sweet Bell Peppers
8. Imported Nectarines
9. Cucumbers
10. Cherry Tomatoes
11. Imported Snap Peas
12. Potatoes

In addition, two further foods have been shown to contain traces of pesticides that are highly toxic to human health (more so than usual). These are the DIRTY DOZEN PLUS, aka:

1. Hot Peppers
2. Kale/Collard Greens

In fact, a whopping two-thirds of produce samples have been shown to have pesticide residues. Shocking, isn’t it?

It is therefore highly recommended that you shop organically for the above items where possible. At least this way, you know you are reducing your exposure to the MOST affected items.
 
SAFE FOODS
Along with identifying the foods to avoid in the grocery store aisle, the Environmental Working Group have also named the foods that show the LEAST amount of pesticide residue. These are the CLEAN FIFTEEN:

1. Avocados
2. Sweetcorn
3. Pineapple
4. Cabbage
5. Frozen Sweet Peas
6. Onions
7. Asparagus
8. Mangoes
9. Papaya
10. Kiwi
11. Eggplant
12. Grapefruit
13. Cantaloupe
14. Cauliflower
15. Sweet Potatoes

Therefore, if you don’t wish to go organic completely (or can’t), the above conventional produce will not prove to be as harmful.

reprinted

Some 77,000 chemicals are produced in North America, with 1,000 new ones introduced each year. Over 3,000 chemicals are added to our food supply, and more than 10,000 chemical solvents, emulsifiers and preservatives are used in food processing

Where do all of these chemicals end up? They are absorbed into our groundwater, rivers, lakes and oceans, spewed into our air, and added, quite intentionally, to our food supply.  Estimates show most Americans have somewhere between 400 and 800 chemicals stored in their bodies, typically in fat cells. S

What does that mean for us?

• A study in last year’s British Medical Journal estimated that perhaps 75 percent of most cancers are caused by environmental and lifestyle factors, including exposure to chemicals.
  
• Another report, this one by the Columbia University School of Public Health, estimated that 95 percent of cancer is caused by diet and environmental toxicity.
• Other reports show that external toxins can lead to:
  

• Neurological disorders (depression, attention deficit disorder, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, etc.)
  
• Cancer
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Hormonal imbalances
• Enzyme dysfunction
• Altered metabolism
• Reproductive disorders
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Obesity
• Muscle and vision problems
• Immune system depression
• Allergies/Asthma
• Endocrine disorders
• Chronic viral infections
• Less ability to tolerate/handle stress
  

Let's look at where we can start to eliminate toxins in our bodies:


Let’s look at toxins
1. Food

• Pesticides: EPA says 60% of herbicides, 90% of fungicides and 30% of insecticides are known carcinogenics.  Alarmingly, 50-95% have been detected on U.S. Foods
  • Risks: Cancer, Parkinson’s disease, miscarriage, nerve damage, birth defects, blocking the absorption of food nutrients
  • Major Sources: Commercially raised fruits, vegetables and meats. Also bug sprays

 
2. Water

• PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls):
  • industrial chemical
  • banned in the United States for decades
  • still persistent organic pollutant that’s still present in our environment, mostly drinking water.
  • Risks: Cancer, problems with thymus gland, immune deficiencies, or reproductive or nervous system difficulties, and fetal brain development
  • Other Sources: Also found in farm-raised salmon.

• Chlorine:
  • highly toxic
  • research indicates the incidents of cancer are 44% higher among those using chlorinated water.
  • Increased miscarriage, neural tube defects and reduced fetal growth from women drinking chlorination.
  • Risks: Sore throat, coughing, eye and skin irritation, rapid breathing, narrowing of the bronchi, wheezing, blue accumulation of fluid in the lungs, pain in the lung region, severe eye and skin burns, lung collapse, asthmatype of asthma)
  • Other Sources: Household cleaners, pools & hot tubs, feminine hygiene products

• Fluoride:
  • endocrine disruptor that can affect your bones, brain, thyroid gland, pineal gland and even your blood sugar levels.  No other country does it, and they do not have better teeth.    
    
  • Risks: Thyroid disease, hyperactivity or lethargy, dementia, arthritis, bone cancer, inactivates 62 enzymes, genetic damage, disrupted immune system, infertility, increased tumor and cancer rate.
  • Other Sources: Toothpaste
• Heavy Metals: Metals like arsenic, mercury, lead, aluminum and cadmium, which are prevalent in many areas of our environment, can accumulate in soft tissues of the body.
  • Risks: Cancer, neurological disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, foggy head, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, decreased production of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart rhythm, damage to blood vessels
  • Other Sources: Some fish, vaccines, pesticides, preserved wood, antiperspirant, building materials, dental amalgams, chlorine, etc.

 
Environmental Toxins

• Several (see below) Phthalates, VOCs, Dioxins
• Found in plastics, deodorants, cleaning fluids, cosmatics, air fresheners even tampons!
• Risks – Cancer, reproductive and developmental problems, liver damage, skin issues, fatiche, headaches, memory impairment
  
• Phthalates: These chemicals are used to lengthen the life of fragrances and increase the durability and flexibility of plastics.
  • Risks: Like BPA, these hormone-like chemicals are linked to reproductive and developmental problems
  • Major Sources: Plastic food storage, plastic bottles, lotion, shampoos, fragrances, deodorant, hair spray and cosmetics.
• Volatile Organic Compounds: VOCs are a major contributing factor to ozone, an air pollutant.
  • Risks: Cancer, eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment
  • Major Sources: Deodorants, cleaning fluids, varnishes, cosmetics, dry cleaned clothing, moth repellants, air fresheners, household products, carpets
• Dioxins: Chemical compounds formed as a result of combustion processes such as commercial or municipal waste incineration and from burning fuels (like wood, coal or oil).
  • Risks: Cancer, reproductive and developmental disorders, chloracne (a severe skin disease with acne-like lesions), skin rashes, skin discoloration, excessive body hair, mild liver damage
  • Major Sources: Tampons, drinking water, animal fats: Over 95 percent of exposure comes from eating commercial animal fats.
• Chloroform: This colorless liquid has a pleasant, nonirritating odor and a slightly sweet taste, and is used to make other chemicals. It’s also formed when chlorine is added to water.
  • Risks: Cancer, potential reproductive damage, birth defects, dizziness, fatigue, headache, liver and kidney damage.
  • Major Sources: Air, drinking water and food can contain chloroform.
    

The take home message is Pay attention to what you put in and on your body

• • Eat organic fruits, vegetables, and avoid commercial meats and eggs.
    
  • Drink clean water (avoid tap water.)
  • Use glass containers, avoid plastics to drink out of, store food, etc.
  • Use natural cleaning products
  • Avoid lotions, instead use natural oils
  • Use natural cosmetics
  • Find alternative kinds of deodorant
  • Avoid larger and farmed fish
  • Avoid furniture, bedding, household items that off-gas.
  • Avoid tampons: instead use diva cups/keepers
    • ¼ of pesticides in US used by cotton industry
    • Rayon is major source of dioxin ( risk for Pelvic inflammatory disease, reduced immune function, endometriosis, reduced fertility)