Also called seaweed, these still-exotic (in this country, anyway) vegetables are an excellent source of protein, soluble fiber, beta-carotene, folic acid, vitamin B12 -- an essential nutrient many vegetarians don't get enough of -- calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and zinc. Plus they're by far the richest food source of iodine, a mineral that's essential for normal functioning of the thyroid gland.

Considering sea vegetables' astonishing array of nutrients, it's amazing they haven't become more popular in this country -- though the tide is beginning to turn. In Asia, meanwhile, they've been used for thousands of years to prevent and treat cancer and other diseases. Researchers speculate that sea vegetables contain as-yet-unidentified antioxidant compounds, some of which are not found in land plants. Their iodine content may also help prevent or treat fibrocystic breast disease, which is linked to breast cancer.

Many people think that if certain foods are good, a lot is better.
This is not always the case, and high doses of certain food are actually toxic.

Read about the healthy food, research the vitamins and minerals and check with your health care provider if you are unsure about how much to eat and how much may be too much.

The best way to get the daily requirement of 13 essential vitamins is to eat a balanced diet that contains a variety of foods and take a "Standardized" (quality) multivitamin supplement.