Superfoods from the sea – they are good for dogs and cats!

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From dulse to wakame, sea vegetables are loaded with nutrients. Try these tasty and healthy recipes on your animal companion.

Did you know that algae are among the oldest forms of life on earth? They are also considered superfoods, rich in nutrients, and are a healthy addition to your dog or cat’s diet as well as yours. Let’s see what sea vegetables have to offer and how you can serve them to your animal family.

A bit of context

Juliette de Bairacli Levy, the “mother of herbal medicine” for animals, first introduced seaweed to the veterinary community in the early 1930s. However, the use of sea vegetables in human cultures dates back to much further. Archeology has shown that algae have been part of the human diet for at least 10,000 years. The ancient Chinese used kelp and other seaweed as medicine, while these sea plants have been an integral part of Japanese cuisine for over 1,500 years. The ancient Greeks used kelp to feed their livestock; Icelanders used kelp as a staple food; and ancient Hawaiian nobles cultivated gardens of edible seaweed. In Europe and Britain, meanwhile, kelp was used as a fertilizer to nourish the soil and support plant growth.

It is estimated that our oceans are home to over 8,000 species of algae. Unlike land plants, sea vegetables have no leaves, stems or roots, so their growth depends on the sun’s energy.

Algae supply

Look for sustainably harvested, low-temperature, sun-dried OCIA (Organic Crop Improvement Association) standard sea vegetables that have been tested for heavy metals, herbicides, pesticides, PCBs, fuel oil, and bacteriological contaminants . The OCIA is a non-profit, member-owned agricultural organization dedicated to providing the highest quality organic certification services and access to global organic markets. It is also committed to environmentally friendly management.

Fresh sea vegetables should be washed and stored in the refrigerator, and cooked in ceramic, glass or stainless steel pots. Dried sea vegetables should be stored in dark glass jars or hung in dark, dry rooms.

Sea vegetable shopping list

1. Acadian sea kelp

Acadian kelp contains protein, iodine, calcium, sulfur, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium, as well as vitamins A, B, E, and D. This type of kelp comes from the North Atlantic coast of Canada. Skilled harvesters hand-rake the sea plants under tightly controlled conditions to ensure purity and freshness, and to safeguard this precious natural resource. The fresh seaweed is dried using gentle passive solar drying technology to preserve its nutritional benefits.

Kelp, including Acadian sea kelp, is the richest single source of trace minerals. The pituitary, adrenal and thyroid glands benefit from these trace elements. Kelp supports the immune system, helps regulate blood sugar, soothes the gastrointestinal tract and helps relieve joint pain. Kelp lowers cholesterol levels by inhibiting the absorption of bile acids. It also helps eliminate harmful bacteria from the bladder, reduces inflammation of injured tissue and promotes healthy skin and coat.

2. Dulce

Also known as sea parsley, dulse is a vegetable from the Red Sea. Its history of use dates back 14,000 years. Dulse grows attached to rocks on both sides of the North Atlantic and Pacific Northwest coasts. It is picked by hand at low tide and left to dry.

Dulse is a rich source of iron, potassium, iodine, vitamin B6, riboflavin and dietary fiber. It also contains protein, floridoside (a type of carbohydrate), calcium, fluoride, magnesium, copper, zinc, manganese, chromium, and vitamins C and E. The natural iodine in dulse supports thyroid function.

You can use dulse as a substitute for regular table salt, serve it with dark leafy vegetables, or roast it for a crunchy treat your pets will love.

3.Kombu

Kombu is a type of kelp, also called Laminaria fingers, buckets and horsetail kelp, because that’s exactly what it tastes like. It is the tallest of the sea vegetables, reaching 1,500 feet. Kombu kelp is a meaty, protein-rich seaweed that supports liver, stomach, and kidney function. It contains iodine, carotenes, vitamins B, C, D and E, calcium, magnesium, potassium, silica, iron and zinc. It is also richer in natural mineral salts than most other algae. Kombu also contains glutamine and fucoidan, a complex polysaccharide. It supports kidney and thyroid function and even acts as a natural fungicide. Japanese studies have shown that when fucoidan is given to cancer cells in a Petri dish, the cells are destroyed within 72 hours by a self-induced process called apotosis.

Kombu kelp pairs well with carrots and squash, for a nutritious meal topper. Chicken and beef broths can be replaced with a kombu-based broth, for a powerful nutritional punch. You can also add it to bone broths. Simply soak the dried kombu pieces in filtered water until soft. Drain and cut the kombu into small pieces, and add ½ to 1 cup to your broth.

Dipped, simmered, sautéed, roasted, pan-fried or marinated, kombu is a great addition to the diet of the whole family.

5. Nori

Norie (Porphyra yezoensis) contains a significant amount of protein, vitamins A, B and C, minerals and amino acids, including arginine, which are usually found in animal protein. Other amino acids offered by nori include alanine, glutamic acid, which helps support the gastrointestinal tract and aid in the digestion process, and glycine. This sea vegetable also contains a significant amount of taurine, which provides liver and cardiovascular support.

Nori sheets are low in sodium, but contain high levels of dietary fiber, magnesium, potassium, riboflavin, and vitamins A and C. Try spreading nori sheets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake them in a preheated 300°F oven for five minutes. at ten minutes. Sprinkle it on your pet’s food before serving. Nori can also be dry roasted on your stovetop for a crispy treat.

5. Wakame

Otherwise known as Undaria pinnatifida, wakame is a brown seaweed and one of the most popular sea foods. It has been eaten in Japan and Korea for centuries. Wakame contains a compound called fucoxanthin, which has many benefits, including the oxidation of fatty acids and the production of heat energy in the mitochondria of fatty tissue, the creation of energy from sugar and fatty acids, and the regulation metabolism, which makes this sea vegetable useful for diabetics.

Wakame is a rich source of eicosapentaenoic acid, an omega 3 fatty acid, and also contains high levels of calcium, iodine, thiamin, and niacin. It is a source of chlorophyll, protein, magnesium, iron and dietary fiber. In fact, wild Atlantic wakame (Alaria) contains more dietary fiber than oat bran.

In traditional Asian medicine, wakame is used to purify the blood, aid in liver detoxification, and support the gastrointestinal system and reproductive organs. Research indicates that wakame contributes to healthy skin and coat in animals and has anti-carcinogenic properties.

6. Irish moss

Irish moss makes a perfect “super sauce” for your dog or cat food. It provides glandular and lung support and soothes the gastrointestinal tract. It also contains calcium chloride, which acts as a heart tonic and supports the kidneys and bladder.

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