The Newest Superfood!
April 8, 2020
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY THREAD...
Time to Read: 6 minutes, 42 seconds
From the journal of The Daily Thread
The Newest Superfood: Irish Sea Moss
Irish moss may be the new apple a day. You've probably never heard of it. But it's the newest health craze.
It's Nothing New
Most folks don't read ingredients labels. Who can pronounce that stuff anyway? If you've ever read the label on your ice cream. You may know the word carrageenan.
It's used all over the food industry. We put it in soups for texture. Brewers use it to dehaze beer. Hold the carrageenan on my beer. I like 'em extra hazy.
We put it in fire extinguishers to make the foam sticky. We put it in shampoo and lotion to make them thicker. Papermakers even use it to create beautiful marble patterns on fancy paper.
Doesn't that stuff cause Cancer?
Maybe. In 1987 the IARC declared carrageenan a possible carcinogen.
There is much debate over this. The only evidence to support the claim came from animal trials. Researchers did not observe its effect on humans. To this day, it appears in many foods, including organic ones.
None of this matters. Because Sea Moss is not carrageenan. Carrageenan is a processed extract of sea moss.
Watch your words. The bad (maybe?) extract is carrageenan. The good sea moss is carrageen. It's like they're trying to confuse us.
Health Benefits of Sea Moss
Sea moss is rich in vitamins A, E, F, K, calcium, sulfur, and potassium. You'll see lots of information saying the human body contains 102 minerals and sea moss has 92 of them. It may not have everything you need, but sea moss is pretty close.
Respiratory
Potassium chloride is great at dissolving mucus and fighting congestion. Sea moss also has antimicrobial and anti-viral properties. It may help to fight colds, the flu, and allergies. It's been used to treat respiratory diseases in Ireland since the 1800s.
A Healthy Thyroid
Your thyroid needs iodine to function. Sea moss is a great source. Some claim it's the best natural source on the planet. Most people get iodine through iodized salt. If you want to cut back on sodium, sea moss is a great way to get your iodine.
Sea moss is quite popular in Jamaica. Because of this, Jamaica boasts a much lower thyroid disease rate than the USA.
Digestion
Sea moss is mucilaginous. This means it is soothing to the mucus membranes in your stomach, which lets you digest food better.
Scientists at Dalhousie University found sea moss has remarkable prebiotic effects in rats. They saw a reduction of bad bacteria, improved gut health, and more short-chain fatty acids. All good things.
Mental Health
Sea moss is super rich in potassium. A lack of potassium can lead to anxiety, irritability, and depression. Your body can't store it, meaning you need a regular source. Bananas are everyone's favorite potassium vehicle, but sea moss has a higher density.
Sexy Skin
Sea Moss is a common ingredient in skin care products like lotions and moisturizers. Its gelatin qualities soothe and protect dry skin. It also contains Citrulline–Arginine, which promotes healthy cell growth.
Where to buy Sea Moss?
Warning: it's not going to look pretty. And it's going to smell worse.
Raw Sea Moss
This sea moss is straight from the ocean. When you buy it this way, you'll make it into a gel. Wash it, soak it for a day, then toss it in the blender. It is going to be slimy.
Once you have the gel, you can put it in smoothies, juices, shakes, desserts, or really anything you want. It doesn't have a taste. You can also use it as a face mask.
Premade Gel
If you're lazy or just don't want your house smelling like death (me), get the gel premade.
Sea Moss Powder
Put the powder into tea or make your own pills if you're into that. Try tea with cinnamon, licorice, and sea moss powder.
Sea Moss Supplements
No need to worry about serving size or terrible smells. This is the second easiest way to use sea moss.
Sea Moss Tinctures
If you can't swallow pills, tinctures are for you. Follow the instructions on the bottle for dosage.
How Much Sea Moss to take Daily?
4-8 grams is the recommended serving. When in doubt, get supplements or tinctures that make measurement easy.
Dr. Sebi Sea Moss
You will see lots of sea moss products claiming to be "Dr. Sebi approved". Let's start by saying Dr. Sebi was not a real doctor. His real name was Alfredo Bowman. And he was an herbalist from Honduras.
Mr. Bowman was quite a controversial figure. He claimed HIV didn't cause AIDS. Bowman also claimed he could cure AIDS.
He went to court for practicing medicine in NY without a license. The court acquitted him, but most licensed doctors consider him a quack.
Bowman died of pneumonia in 2016. Conspiracy theorists say Big Pharma killed him off because he posed a threat to their massive profits.
Rapper Nipsey Hussle started work on a documentary about Dr. Sebi's legal troubles in 2018. Hussle was gunned down in March of 2019. Conspiracy theorists went off again. They claimed Big Pharma was yet again trying to squash the work of Dr. Sebi.
Who should not use Sea Moss?
Pregnant and nursing women should not take sea moss. There is some debate about this. But better safe than sorry.
Anyone taking blood thinners should also not take sea moss. It is a natural blood thinner itself. Combining with pharmaceutical coagulants could be dangerous.
Disclaimer
Ryan nor anyone at The Daily Thread is a medical professional. We are curious amateurs. This article is purely informational. This is not medical advice. For any decisions regarding health, consult a physician. We are not liable for any stupid things you do.
This will make you feel great...and Poor
Yesterday evening, Twitter/Square founder and CEO Jack Dorsey said he was moving 1 BILLION dollars of his Square equity into a fund called Start Small.
Right now, Start Small exists to fight COVID-19. Once we destroy that beast, Jack will pivot the fund towards education for women and universal basic income.
Lots of rich people are donating to fight COVID-19. Here's a list ordered by donation amount:
Jack Dorsey (Net worth: $3.6 billion) pledged $1 billion
Jeff Bezos (Net worth: $117 billion) pledged $125 million
Bill Gates (Net worth: $99 billion) pledged $100 million
Mike Bloomberg (Net worth: $56 billion) pledged $40 million
Steve Ballmer (Net worth: $56 billion) pledged $25 million
Mark Zuckerberg (Net worth: $62 billion) pledged $25 million
Jack Ma (Net worth: $40 billion) pledged $14 million
Oprah Winfrey (Net worth: $2.6 billion) pledged $10 million
Ralph Lauren (Net worth: $5.5 billion) pledged $10 million
Elton John (Net worth: $500 million) pledged $1 million
Sheryl Sandberg (Net worth: $1.5 billion) pledged $1 million
Now let's reorder that list by percentage of net worth.
28% Jack Dorsey (Net worth: $3.6 billion) pledged $1 billion
0.38% Oprah Winfrey (Net worth: $2.6 billion) pledged $10 million
0.2% Elton John (Net worth: $500 million) pledged $1 million
0.18% Ralph Lauren (Net worth: $5.5 billion) pledged $10 million
0.10% Jeff Bezos (Net worth: $117 billion) pledged $125 million
0.10% Bill Gates (Net worth: $99 billion) pledged $100 million
0.07% Mike Bloomberg (Net worth: $56 billion) pledged $40 million
0.06% Sheryl Sandberg (Net worth: $1.5 billion) pledged $1 million
0.04% Steve Ballmer (Net worth: $56 billion) pledged $25 million
0.04% Mark Zuckerberg (Net worth: $62 billion) pledged $25 million
0.035% Jack Ma (Net worth: $40 billion) pledged $14 million
This list is not here to minimize the pledges made by other wealthy folks. It's here to show you how outrageous Jack's pledge is.
Another awesome thing about Jack's donation is that he's being 100% transparent about where it goes. Check it out on this spreadsheet.
Best Ranger Names
Wow! What an overwhelming response to Ranger names. If you don't respond to these challenges, you're missing out. Here are my favorites. Thanks to everyone who responded!
Flint Evergreen from Delaware
Moose Jaw Rivers from Vermont
Tumbleweed Rivers from Chicago
Parkie Moss from San Francisco
Moosejaw Sidewinder from South Carolina
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