Irish Sea Moss vs Sea Moss

You hear a lot about sea moss from the health and wellness community, particularly Irish Sea Moss, but there are a lot of other similarly named mosses out there, and not all of them are anywhere near as useful as the aforementioned Irish Sea Moss. 

Now, that doesn't mean all the options are good for nothing, they're just often used in a misleading way with many manufacturers claiming the same benefits of Irish Sea Moss from lesser mosses. 

Why is Irish Sea Moss special? 

There are several compounds in Irish Sea Moss that are responsible for it's health benefits, with the most well known being carrageenan, there are other fatty acids, sterols, agar, amino acids, and phenolic compounds present that add to this, but ultimately you aren't going to just get these from any moss. 

Interestingly there is actually a different moss that's used for most commercial carrageenan supplements, and this is often mis sold as Irish moss.

Almost no sea moss sellers seem to actually standardize the products. Which they should really do, because there are enough studies done on these micro compounds for us to know what minimum effective doses actually are. 

And what most people sell doesn't have nearly enough of them. (Yes our Sea Moss blend does, and that's the last time we'll add anything into the article about why your should buy ours). 

But there are multiple Irish Sea Mosses? 

Yes, that bit all gets a bit confusing, both Mastocarpus and Chondrus are often referred to as both "Irish moss" and "Irish sea moss" so it does all get a bit confusing on that front as well. Technically one of those is what's called false moss.

So, as you can see the naming convention does start to make it quite difficult to know.

So, as you can see there is some overlap with the different types of sea moss in terms of their contents, but fortunately we do actually know which compounds in Irish Sea Moss are responsible for it's benefits because they've been studied individually. 

What compounds are responsible for Irish Sea Moss' benefits? 

1. Carrageenans (Sulfated Polysaccharides)

• Function: Anti-inflammatory, antiviral, immune-modulating, and gut-health supporting.
• Therapeutic Dose: 500 mg to 2 g/day (dependent on the type of carrageenan and formulation). We use the 500mg version.

2. Fucoidans

• Function: Anti-cancer, anticoagulant, immunostimulant, and antioxidant.
• Therapeutic Dose: 100 mg/day (used in research for immune function and cardiovascular benefits). We actually get ours from bladderwhack, this is quite common in Sea Moss Blends as it's generally more concentrated meaning we're able to keep the capsule size down.

3. Laminarins

• Function: Prebiotic fiber, supports gut microbiota, anti-diabetic, lipid-lowering effects.
• Therapeutic Dose: 250 mg/day (based on animal studies and human gut health trials).

4. Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids (MAAs)

• Function: Protects skin from UV damage, antioxidant properties.
• Therapeutic Dose: No established dose; present in whole Irish moss extracts and topical formulations for sun protection. This isn't something you're going to get in a supplement, but it's interesting to note. 

5. Phlorotannins (Polyphenols)

• Function: Strong antioxidant activity, potential neuroprotective and anti-diabetic effects.
• Therapeutic Dose: 200 mg to 1 g/day (used in polyphenol-based studies for cognitive and metabolic benefits).

What about the nutritional content of Irish Sea Moss vs Sea Moss in general?

The most well known mineral in Irish Sea Moss is iodine and this is pretty common through a lot of the various types of Sea Moss you'll come across, but there's a few others that it's rich in.

Iodine: Essential for regulating metabolism and energy levels.

Iron: Vital for transporting oxygen in the blood, supporting energy and focus.

Magnesium: Helps with muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation.

Calcium: Crucial for bone health, muscle movement, and nerve signaling.

Potassium: Supports heart health by maintaining normal blood pressure and regulating heartbeat.

Zinc: Important for immune function, wound healing, and DNA synthesis.

Vitamin A: Supports vision, immune function, and skin health.

Vitamin C: An antioxidant that aids in immune defense and collagen synthesis.

Vitamin K: Necessary for blood clotting and bone metabolism.

B-Vitamins: Including B2, B9, and B12, which are important for energy production and brain health.

The Key Differences Between Irish Sea Moss and Other Types of Sea Moss

It's the carrageenan and phlorotannins that are the main difference in Irish Sea Moss vs Sea Moss in general, well that and the above mentioned nutritional profile. Although, it's worth noting that despite what many people may claim, with the exception of Iodine, you're not getting enough of most of these vitamins or minerals from sea moss to make a substantial difference.

After all you need more than a gram a day of calcium, so no Sea Moss supplement is going to have that much in there when the whole supplement is only 2 grams for example. Or even enough to make a substantial difference. 

There's actually an interesting bit of history with Irish Sea Moss too..

Irish Sea Moss was used extensively during the Irish potato famine in the mid 1840's through to the early 1850's. with many people using it as a main food source, many who used Irish Sea Moss found improvements in their wellness, yet despite this, after the famine its usefulness and its potential medicinal properties got forgotten.

Irish moss grows abundantly on the west coast of Ireland, specifically in the Aran Islands, in Connemara region and is sustainably farmed locally. There are some other areas where it does grow, but most is sourced from Ireland.

Which Type of Irish Moss Supplements are best?

Irish Sea moss supplements can vary greatly in both potency and quality, but it's worth baring in mind that results are only guaranteed when a supplement is made with standardised ingredients. We know exactly which bioactive compound is most beneficial in Irish moss, and it's called Carrageenan, so if your supplement isn't standardised then you're trading guaranteed results for a shot in the dark in terms of how much Carrageenan you're getting.

So this is the bit where we plug our Sea Moss Blend. 

Nootrum Sea Moss Blend

How to Select and Store Sea Moss.

For those who prefer buying natural sea moss there are a couple of considerations: When choosing between Irish moss and sea moss, consider the difference between the two and the factors that affect their quality and sustainability. Look for clean, fresh, and free-from-debris moss, and store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid fake pool-grown sea moss, which can contain dangerous chemicals and toxic products. Laboratory tests on fake sea moss have shown it often contains heavy metals and other contaminants.

Many people would prefer to have there Irish sea moss in the form of supplements, which is often the most convenient and safest way of having all the benefits of this fantastic natural ingredient. With high end Irish sea moss supplements, the standardize ingredients for premium dietary supplements should have all the tests for purity and quality carried out by independent laboratories.

Final Thoughts on Irish Sea Moss

Irish moss isn't just another supplement on the shelf; it's a timeless superfood that's been cherished for generations. This sea vegetable, hailing from the pristine Atlantic coasts of Ireland, is like a bridge between the depths of the ocean and our quest for holistic wellness, imagine a single ingredient offering up to 92 of the 102 essential minerals our bodies thrive on. That's Irish sea moss for you—packed with iodine, iron, magnesium, calcium, and potassium, among others. It's like receiving a care package from the sea, filled with everything your body craves.

With its rich iodine content, sea moss plays a pivotal role in supporting healthy thyroid function, which is key to regulating metabolism and energy levels. It's nature's way of keeping your internal engine humming smoothly.

Its mucilaginous texture isn't just fascinating—it's beneficial. It soothes the digestive tract, promotes a healthy gut lining, and can aid in digestion. Think of it as a gentle embrace for your insides.

In a world where most of the supplements industry only offers you a fraction of the dose you need to get any benefits, standardized ingredients mean that each time you consume sea moss, you're getting the same potent levels of its key nutrients, especially carrageenan—the natural polysaccharide responsible for many of its health-promoting properties, Standardization ensures that every serving of Irish sea moss delivers consistent, reliable benefits.