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.

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 carrageenans -- 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.
• promoted by supplements distributors to treat the herpes simplex virus.