Irish moss vs. carrageenan

[Guest guest]

A Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner recommended that I take Irish moss

(chondrus crispus) as a detoxifying agent and a good nutritional source. I was

directed to add 1 oz. of the dried Irish moss to about a quart of boiling water

and simmer it until the moss had softened. I consume that quantity in one week.

In Ray Peat's article " Food-Junk and Some Mystery Ailments " , a Newsletter on

Nutrition found at his web site www.efn.org/~raypeat/ , he states that

carrageenan causes inflammatory bowel damage and should be avoided. Carrageenan

is an extract of Irish moss and is in the gums family. I don't know how refined

it is compared to Irish moss.

Does anyone know if the negative effects of carrageenan also pertain to Irish

moss taken as I described above? How closely does carrageenan compare to Irish

moss? I find that the Irish moss really helps with the constipation I have from

iron supplementation I take for very low serum ferritin. After 7 months, the

iron supplementation (27 g. ferrous sulfate daily) hasn't helped any. According

to the DWIDP diet planner, I get plenty of iron in my diet, from non-fortified

and unprocessed food sources. Any ideas on how to boost my serum ferritin?

Lynn