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Ingredients in Lifeforce Body Balance
Life Force Body Balance is a liquid product that claims to include nine sea vegetables and aloe vera with the purpose of supporting overall well-being. The product is prepared using “Good Manufacturing Practices” as set by the Food and Drug Administration. As of early 2009, no clinical trials have been performed on Life Force Body Balance. Life Force International claims no reports have been made that Body Balance interferes with any drugs. Body Balance was created in the early 1980s by Wayne Hillman.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Sea Lettuce
Sea lettuce is common green seaweed that is only two cell layers thick. It is sold as a medicine in China and can be found almost worldwide. Sea lettuce is used as a food, for the treatment of gout, as a source of iodine, and is also used as animal feed.
Irish Moss
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Irish moss is the dried and bleached plants of chondrus crispus. Used as an additive, it is the source of carrageenan, and is also used as an additive in animal feed. Irish moss has actually been used as a laxative and as home remedy for maladies such as sore throats and chapped skin. This plant has also been observed to produce a mild anticoagulant effect of the blood.
- Irish moss is the dried and bleached plants of chondrus crispus.
- Irish moss has actually been used as a laxative and as home remedy for maladies such as sore throats and chapped skin.
Bladderwrack
Bladderwrack, also known as fucus vesiculosus, is a brown seaweed found in the northern coasts of the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans of the North and Baltic seas. According to the National Institutes of Health, bladderwrack received a letter grade of C in the spectrum of uses tested for in animals and humans. A C grade indicates there is unclear scientific evidence for the use of bladderwrack as an anticoagulant, antioxidant, cancer treatment, diabetes treatment, goiter remedy or weight loss aid.
Kombu
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Kombu is an iodine containing sweet sea kelp. Kombu is mainly from the species Laminaria and Saccharina and can be found mainly in the North Atlantic and North Pacific.
Dabberlocks
Dabberlocks, also known as alaria esculenta, is an edible seaweed which grows on rocky, exposed surfaces. Ascorbic acid, calcium, carbohydrates, carotenoids, B12, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, niacin, potassium, protein, vitamin B6, vitamin A2, and saturated fatty acids are all found in dabberlocks.
Norwegian Kelp
Norwegian kelp, or ascophyllum nodosum, is used as a food additive, and for the treatment of rheumatism. Some evidence suggests that clumps of Norwegian Kelp have been found in some cases to be more than 400 years old.
Gigartina Chamissoi
Gigartina chamissoi is a seaweed that has been used as a food thickener, source of iodine, and as an ingredient in many cosmetic products such as facial creams and toothpaste.
Dulse
Palmaria palmate (dulse), is an common red seaweed that is consumed whole as a food. Dulse has been used since the 12th century in Ireland.
Nori
Nori is a Japanese name for an assortment of seaweed. Nori contains vitamin A, B and C, as well as calcium and iron.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera gel has been used in the successful treatment of some burns and abrasions. Aloe latex has been used in the past as a laxative. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, no other use of aloe vera has been supported by scientific evidence 2. People with diabetes who take glucose-lowering medication should consult a physician before taking aloe vera by mouth, as some studies suggest it may lower blood glucose levels.
- Aloe Vera gel has been used in the successful treatment of some burns and abrasions.
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References
- Algaebase
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Bu T, Kiu M, Zheng L, Guo Y, Lin X. α-Glucosidase inhibition and the in vivo hypoglycemic effect of butyl-isobutyl-phthalate derived from the Laminaria japonica rhizoid. Phytother Res. 2010 Nov;24(11):1588-91.
- Catarino Marcelo D, Silva Artur MS, Cardoso Susana M. Phycochemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Fucus spp. Mar Drugs. 2018 Aug; 16(8): 249.
- Chater PI, Wilcox M, Cherry P, Herford A, Mustar S, Wheater H, Brownlee I, Seal C, Pearson J. Inhibitory activity of extracts of Hebridean brown seaweeds on lipase activity. J. Appl. Phycol. 2016;28:1303–1313.
- Choi JS, et al. Effects of seaweed Laminaria japonica extracts on skin moisturizing activity in vivo. J Cosmet Sci. 2013 May-Jun;64(3):193-205.
- Cumashi A, Ushakova NA, Preobrazhenskaya ME, D'Incecco A, Piccoli A, Totani L, Tinari N, Morozevich GE, Berman AE, Bilan MI, Usov AI, Ustyuzhanina NE, Grachev AA, Sanderson CJ, Kelly M, Rabinovich GA, Iacobelli S, Nifantiev NE; Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per la Bio-Oncologia, Italy. A comparative study of the anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antiangiogenic, and antiadhesive activities of nine different fucoidans from brown seaweeds. Glycobiology. 2007 17(5):541-52.
- Fujimura T, et al. Treatment of human skin with an extract of Fucus vesiculosus changes its thickness and mechanical properties. J Cosmet Sci. 2002 Jan-Feb;53(1):1-9.
- Haskell-Ramsay Crystal F, et al. Acute Post-Prandial Cognitive Effects of Brown Seaweed Extract in Humans. Nutrients. 2018 Jan; 10(1): 85.
- Kim Jae-Young, et al. Effects of the Brown Seaweed Laminaria japonica Supplementation on Serum Concentrations of IgG, Triglycerides, and Cholesterol, and Intestinal Microbiota Composition in Rats. Front. Nutr., 12 April 2018.
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. About herbs: Bladder wrack.
- Myers Stephen P, et al. A combined phase I and II open label study on the effects of a seaweed extract nutrient complex on osteoarthritis. Biologics. 2010; 4: 33–44.
- National Institutes of Health. MedlinePlus Supplements. Fucus Vesiculosus.
- Paradis ME, Couture P, Lamarche B. A randomised crossover placebo-controlled trial investigating the effect of brown seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus) on post-challenge plasma glucose and insulin levels in men and women. Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 2011;36:913–919.
- Romm, Aviva. "Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health."
- Sharifuddin Yussrizam, et al. Potential Bioactive Compounds from Seaweed for Diabetes Management. Mar Drugs. 2015 Aug; 13(8): 5447–5491.
- Skibola CF. The effect of Fucus vesiculosus, an edible brown seaweed, upon menstrual cycle length and hormonal status in three pre-menopausal women: a case report. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2004 4;4:10.
- Skibola Christine F, et al. Brown Kelp Modulates Endocrine Hormones in Female Sprague-Dawley Rats and in Human Luteinized Granulosa Cells. The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 135, Issue 2, February 2005, Pages 296–300.
- Ventura S, Rodrigues M, Falcao A, Alves G. Safety evidence on the administration of Fucus vesiculosus L. (bladderwrack) extract and lamotrigine: data from pharmacokinetic studies in the rat. Drug Chem Toxicol. 2018 Oct 18:1-7.
Writer Bio
Cynthia Hunter is a health and fitness writer in San Diego, CA who began writing in 2009. She is a National Academy of Sports Medicine-Certified Personal Trainer, Performance Enhancement Specialist and a Master Fitness Specialist certified through the Cooper Institute. Hunter's articles have been featured in many online publications including eHow and LIVESTRONG.COM. Hunter is currently working toward a degree in medicine.