[[File:Red Algae.JPG|thumb|350px|left|Red Algae]]Red algae are, not surprisingly, red, reddish or purplish in color. There are about 6,000 species of red algae (Source: AlgaeBase), and they are protists in the phylum Rhodophyta. Red algae species range from simple one-celled organisms to complex, multi-celled, plant-like organisms. Red algae get their energy from photosynthesis. One thing that distinguishes red algae from other algae is that their cells lack flagella.<br> Uses :* Food : Two examples are [[nori]], which is used in sushi, and [[Irish Moss]], which can be made into pudding.* to produce agars, which are gelatinous substances used as a food additive and in science labs as a culture medium.See also : *[[Seaweed]]*[[Lithothamnium calcareum]]
==Special Precautions of Red Algae==
*Some seaweeds, such as Lithothamnium, may contain amounts of iodine, so people with thyroid problems should be careful.
*The disadvantage of using algae is that they can be loaded with heavy metals; after all, the seas and oceans are heavily polluted by capitalist exploitation of our planet. That is why only pure algae is used for phytotherapeutic application.
==Health Benefits and uses of Red Algae are==
* Food : Two examples are [[nori]], which is used in sushi, and [[Irish Moss]], which can be made into pudding.
* used to produce agars, which are gelatinous substances used as a food additive and in science labs as a culture medium.
* One benefit of red marine algae is its antioxidant effect, which counters damage free radicals do to cells.
* Red marine algae is also an anti-viral compound. The [[carrageenan]]s -- a type of sugar molecule -- found in red marine algae are believed to boost interferon production in the immune system and might be an effective preventative against diseases like HIV, shingles and cold sores. According to the Disabled World website, your body can become resistant to certain prescription anti-viral medications, but red marine algae doesn't appear to have this flaw.
**Yet another anti-viral extract was found from the New Zealand red alga species, Griffithsia sp. This protein is called Griffithsin, abbreviated with GRFT.
== References ==
[[Category:Treatments]]
[[Category:herbal medicine]]