SEAWEEDS AS NUTRACEUTICALS FOR HUMAN HEALTH AND DISEASE PREVENTION

In recent year, Marine organisms including seaweeds are one of the important marine living resources in the world. Seaweed act as primary producer in food chain and used traditionally and consumed as part of daily diet. Seaweed contains bio-molecules such as protein, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Presently fresh, dried and processed seaweeds are utilized for human consumption, and because of that it is called as medicinal food in 21st century. Several studies have demonstrated the seaweeds contain a various property like an antibacterial property, antiviral, antistress, anti-inflammatory, anti- carcinogenic, anti-tumor and antithrombotic. These include fiber, anti- oxidant, mineral and omega-3 fatty acids. In some epidemiological studies, the lower incidence of chronic disease, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and their risk factors in this part of the world has been related to healthier diet profile associated with seaweed consumption