About Thalassotherapy (Marine Therapy) ~ Nutritionist's Column Vol.41

"Preventive Medicine"
In the coming age, the importance of creating a body that does not get sick is being reevaluated more than ever.
Thalassotherapy is being reconsidered as a method for building a body that does not get sick.

Thalassotherapy is a type of natural therapy that utilizes the blessings of the sea to restore balance to the body.

It is a therapy with such authority and tradition that it is very popular in France and Germany and has even been covered by health insurance.
The oceans cover three-quarters of the Earth's surface and have long been considered the source of all life.
In fact, it has been found that the balance of mineral components in human plasma is very similar to the mineral composition of seawater.
The sea is also a treasure trove of healthy ingredients and has long been regarded as a symbol of life and beauty.

Thalassotherapy is said to have originated in Germany and France from the late 18th century to the early 19th century for the purpose of promoting health and preventive medicine.
It has been medically proven that the physiological and physical effects of mineral-rich seawater, sea breeze, marine mud, and seaweed, as well as the marine climate, help regulate our biological rhythms.

The person who established thalassotherapy as a medical treatment was a French physiological biologist named René Quinton. He studied the similarities between seawater and blood, and in 1904 he proved through experiments that seawater adjusted to blood consistency could be used to replace blood, which gained him tremendous support from the medical community at the time.
The French Ministry of Health defines it as "a natural therapy that utilizes for therapeutic purposes the effects of seawater, the maritime climate, the scenery, marine additives (seaweed, sea mud) and the consumption of marine products."
It also incorporates all medical therapies, including balneotherapy rehabilitation (physical and physical therapy).

It has developed as a therapeutic technique for restoring physical functions, rehabilitation, and promoting health, and more recently has been established as a beauty method using seaweed packs, sea mud, and seawater minerals, becoming popular with people of all ages.
Breathing air containing fine particles of seawater on the coast, basking in the sunlight, eating a marine diet, refreshing by spending a certain period of time in a marine culture and environment, direct seawater therapy (hot and cold baths, underwater massage, jet baths, etc.), underwater exercises in seawater, seaweed packs, etc. are all apparently used as treatments under the direction of a doctor.

In this way, thalassotherapy is based on medical and scientific theories worldwide.
It is said that there are more than 200 different types of therapy, but we will introduce some of the major categories.

◆Balneotherapy (sea bathing)
A therapy that utilizes the nutrients contained in seawater, as well as its buoyancy, temperature, resistance, and water pressure.

◆Algotherapy (seaweed)
Sea mud contains a lot of marine minerals, and when applied directly to the skin it has the unique effect of moisturizing the skin and expelling toxins.
It also improves blood circulation and increases metabolism, and as the mud absorbs old dead skin cells, it can remove dirt from pores and improve skin tone, resulting in beautiful skin.

◆Fangotherapy (sea mud)
This therapy involves applying marine mud, which is rich in minerals and organic matter, to the skin.
In addition to its sedative and antiseptic properties, it is said to have moisturizing effects, relax muscles, and relieve neuralgia.
In addition, applying warm sea mud is expected to improve lymphatic and blood flow, leading to the excretion of toxins from the body.

◆ Alimentation (dietary therapy)
Seaweed is so nutritious and low in calories that it is called a "sea vegetable."
It is rich in soluble dietary fiber, which helps suppress blood sugar levels and is therefore expected to help prevent and improve diabetes.

In addition, fucoidan, a slimy component found in kelp and mozuku, is expected to help prevent lifestyle-related diseases by lowering cholesterol and boosting immunity.
It is rich in minerals such as magnesium, iodine, calcium, iron and zinc.

Sea salt, like seaweed, is also rich in minerals.
Minerals, along with vitamins, help control the body's growth, metabolism, and physiological functions, maintain cellular balance, and keep nerves and muscles functioning properly.
It is extremely important for maintaining health and vital functions and is indispensable.
When the mineral balance in the body is disrupted, waste products tend to accumulate, causing physical discomfort.
It is expected that mineral supplementation will enhance the body's natural healing ability, improve basal metabolism, relieve shoulder stiffness and swelling, and promote weight loss by expelling fat.

◆Hydrotherapy
Bathing in seawater is also known as balneotherapy.
Seawater has a strong insulating effect, so you feel warm for a long time even after coming out of the sea, and it is said that your body temperature does not cool down easily.
Bathing in mineral-rich seawater is said to have a sterilizing effect, relax muscles, and stabilize the autonomic nervous and endocrine system functions.
Also, because seawater is buoyant, you can exercise without putting strain on your feet, making it effective for rehabilitation and health promotion.

◆Heliotherapy (Nikko)
◆ Aerosol Therapy (atmosphere)
◆Buzzer Therapy (Sea Sand)
Enjoying the beautiful seaside scenery will have a relaxing effect.
Sunbathing and air bathing can also strengthen the lungs and sterilize the throat.
In addition, walking on the difficult-to-walk sandy beach not only burns a lot of calories, but it is also said to stimulate the soles of the feet, improving the body's ability to regulate body temperature.

◆Mechanotherapy (machine)
◆Maso-Neji Therapy (exercise and massage)
This is a therapy that utilizes the stimulation of exercise to maintain and improve physical functions and regulate the autonomic nervous system.
It can be done both on land and in water.
Various thalassotherapy massages performed in salons are also a type of this.

In this way, you can take in nutrients from the sea through treatments, baths, and meals, which helps to restore and maintain the body's basic functions by expelling toxins from the body and increasing metabolism.
Exercise that takes advantage of the buoyancy of seawater is said to loosen muscles and relieve joint pain.

It can also correct distortions of the body, making it effective for those whose posture and physical condition are poor due to misalignment of the spine or pelvis.
In addition, many marine therapy facilities are luxurious and offer an extraordinary feeling. This is said to be because spending time in a different place from your usual routine provides a relaxing effect.
In Japan, it is used in spas and beauty salons, and there are many facilities that offer underwater exercises in seawater, seawater massages, seaweed packs, sea mud packs, salt massages, etc. for a variety of purposes, such as stress relief, beauty, prevention of lifestyle-related diseases, and dieting.
It is also possible to practice marine therapy at home by using marine mud pack products, bath salts, and incorporating seaweed into your diet.
Why not try incorporating thalassotherapy into your daily life to soothe your tired body and mind?

GRØN, a plant-based protein blend with superfoods , contains spirulina, a type of algae, and we are paying close attention to thalassotherapy ingredients that contain the bounty of the sea in future product development.

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Nutritionist, Food Education Instructor, Food 6th Industrialization Producer Level 4
Ayako Ishihara

A nutritional advisor in the healthcare field and an agribusiness professional.
She is involved in a variety of activities specializing in the fields of beauty and health, including giving lectures to Miss World Japan candidates.

With the philosophy of "enriching the mind and body through food and realizing a vibrant society where people and communities are connected," he founded i-Field Co., Ltd. in 2013 and serves as its representative.
He is a core member of the food team for "DINING OUT," which opens outdoor restaurants in various regions, and also participates in fashion brand projects.
She is also involved in the promotion of local ingredients, product development and production specializing in "health" and "beauty," branding, concept design, food hygiene, sales promotion, training planning and management, etc. She is in charge of nutritional supervision for GRØN's product development, proposing ways to incorporate them more effectively into consumer health.

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