Sea Moss and Cancer: What the Research Says

What you eat greatly influences your risk of developing cancer. While no foods protect people from cancer completely, cancer-fighting foods may help lower cancer risks and increase the chances of cancer treatment success.

Sea moss is the newest addition to the list of cancer-fighting foods. This edible seaweed is currently under major scientific investigations throughout the World for its potential anti-cancer properties.

So, is sea moss the ultimate cancer-fighting food? Let’s find out what research has to say on the topic! 

Related article: 18 benefits of sea moss for health and wellness.

 
Sea Moss Benefits for Cancer

The benefits of sea moss for cancer, like any other health matter, come from its exceptional density and variety of nutrients.
 
Sea moss, scientifically known as Chondrus crispus, is a type of edible red seaweed that naturally grows along the rocky Atlantic coasts. When wildcrafted and harvested in its natural environment (as opposed to industrially pool-grown), sea moss can contain up to 92 of the 102 minerals and vitamins our body needs to function.
 
Related article: The complete list of minerals and vitamins found in sea moss.
 
While no food alone can protect people against cancer, certain compounds and nutrients are proven to lower the risks of developing cancer or slow down its spreading. Sea moss is packed with cancer-fighting nutrients, including antioxidants, fucoxanthin, polyphenols, and others.
 
When consumed regularly along with other cancer-fighting foods, a healthy diet, and an active lifestyle, sea moss may help prevent cancer in the first place or help patients fight it more efficiently. 
 
But let’s understand how. How can sea moss help with cancer? What exactly is inside sea moss that has anti-cancer properties?

Numerous antioxidants

According to the National Cancer Institute, high concentrations of free radicals in the body can damage cells and “may play a role in the development of cancer.”
 
Our body naturally produces antioxidants to neutralize free radicals and prevent them from causing cell damage and cancer (endogenous antioxidants). However, the toxicity of the World we live in and our exposure to pollutants and chemicals considerably increase the number of free radicals in our bodies. Therefore, our bodies need help from external antioxidants (exogenous antioxidants) that we can get from antioxidant-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, seaweed, and grains, or antioxidant supplements.
 
Related article: Can sea moss detox and cleanse your body?
 
Sea moss is packed with natural dietary antioxidants, including vitamin E, selenium, copper, and others. Consuming it regularly and within a healthy, nutritionally balanced diet plays an essential role in combatting free radicals and eventually preventing cancer.
 
Warning:  While natural antioxidants from foods like sea moss are good for cancer, high doses of antioxidant supplements have recently been found to increase the risks for some cancer[1]. When facing cancer, focusing on good, healthy nutrition with natural ingredients like sea moss rather than high-dose supplements is best. In any case, talk to your doctor before taking any health supplements if you have cancer.

Fucoxanthin (Carotenoid)

Another key cancer-fighting nutrient abundantly found in sea moss is fucoxanthin. Fucoxanthin is an alga-specific carotenoid with potent anti-carcinogenic properties[2]. The anti-cancer effects of fucoxanthin are well-documented, and numerous studies have been conducted on the subject, leaving very little room for doubt.
 
Besides its cancer-preventing properties, fucoxanthin has numerous health benefits, especially for weight loss, diabetes, and gut health.
 
Related article: The right way to use sea moss for weight loss.

Polyphenols

Raw sea moss and sea moss gel are also packed with natural polyphenol, [3], a natural compound that acts as an antioxidant and neutralizes free radicals, limiting the risks of cancer and heart disease. Additionally, polyphenols reduce inflammation which also plays an essential role in cancer prevention, as inflammation is considered a hallmark of cancer, promoting tumor growth and resistance to cancer treatments. 
 
Polyphenols are naturally present in foods like vegetables, dark chocolate, berries, or red wine, for example. Sea moss also offers a significant amount. The anti-cancer properties of polyphenols are well-documented in numerous scientific studies[4].

Research on Seaweeds and Cancer

Because the use of sea moss for health benefits is relatively new in the U.S., research is still limited. However, scientists have studied the benefits of seaweeds for human health and the prevention and treatment of cancer for decades.
 
Most of the positive results they’ve found can be transposed to sea moss which shares numerous characteristics with these seaweeds, especially the brown and red types. So, with the following major studies, let's dig a bit deeper into the potential benefits of sea moss and similar seaweeds for cancer.
 
Related article: How is sea moss different from other seaweeds? 

Seaweeds and colon cancer

Colorectal cancer is the most common type of cancer, but surprisingly its incidence is much lower in Japan than in the rest of the World. Furthermore, studies have found that diets rich in red seaweeds (like sea moss) are directly linked to a reduction in the prevalence of colon cancer.
 
One of the possible explanations is that seaweeds, especially red-type ones, are prebiotic foods. They help balance the gut’s microbiome by feeding the good bacteria and crowding out the bad ones, ultimately promoting colorectal health.
 
Numerous studies are available on seaweed's positive effects on colon cancer. While the mechanisms aren’t fully understood yet, several natural compounds are believed to play an important role.[5]

Seaweeds and melanoma 

Another interesting fact about sea moss for cancer is the ability of similar seaweeds to prevent and treat skin cancers and tumors (melanomas).
 
Again, Japan has the lowest annual incidence of melanoma, which could very well be linked to the population's consumption of brown seaweeds.
 
There is demonstrated evidence that seaweeds are effective at inhibiting skin cancer development and progression[6]. Japanese researchers successfully employed seaweed extracts to treat skin cancer in mice.
 
Additionally, sea moss is known to have numerous benefits for the skin, including preventing skin aging and treating skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne. It can be taken orally or applied topically as a gel.
 
Related article: What are sea moss benefits for the skin?

Sea moss and prostate cancer

Sea moss and lung cancer

Organics Nature's Sea Moss Capsules are Enriched with Bladderwrack (brown seaweed) and Burdock Root Powders.

Sea Moss for Cancer: FAQs

Can cancer patients take sea moss?

Can sea moss cure cancer?

Can sea moss cause cancer?