Category: Blog

Korea is a breath-taking destination with the best of both worlds: millions of acres of gorgeous forests plus the spectacular coastlines of the Yellow Sea, the East Sea, and the East China Sea. Considering the vastness of the oceans and forests in Korea, it’s no surprise that functional foods like seaweed and mushrooms have been used for generations in traditional Korean medicine.

In this article, we’ll explore these exciting ingredients.

What is Brown Seaweed?

Brown seaweed grows abundantly on the rocky coastlines surrounding Korea and has been used throughout history for its medicinal properties. Low in calories and rich in nutrients, this sea vegetable is used in Korean cuisine for its unmistakable salty flavor. It makes a tasty addition to salads and soups, including a popular soup called miyeok guk.

Interestingly, regular seaweed consumption is believed to be the reason behind the longevity of several Asian populations!

What are Shiitake Mushrooms?

Shiitake mushrooms are edible fungi that grow in forests across East Asia. They’ve been used in the east for their flavor, meaty texture, and health properties for centuries. Nowadays, shiitake mushrooms are well-known around the world and are a popular ingredient in various cuisines.

These amazing medicinal mushrooms are a common feature in traditional forms of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean medicine – holistic approaches to healthcare that aim to bring balance to the body. In K-Health, dried shiitake mushrooms are a common remedy for boosting the “life force”, reducing inflammation, promoting immunity, and enhancing longevity (1).

3 Ways Brown Seaweed and Shiitake Mushroom Extract Support Health

Brown Seaweed and Shiitake Mushrooms are favorites in K-Health. While they aren’t a replacement for medicine, these functional foods promote overall well-being. Who doesn’t want that?!

1. They Contain Polysaccharide Compounds Many of the health benefits of brown seaweed and shiitake mushroom extract come from their content of polysaccharides – health compounds formed when simple sugars are linked together. The cell walls of brown seaweed are a rich source of a fucoidan (pronounced foo-koy-den), a group of well-researched polysaccharides that exhibit anti-clotting, immune supportive, and antiinflammatory properties (2, 3).
2. They Have Antioxidant Properties Brown seaweed and shiitake mushrooms have antioxidant capabilities and anti-inflammatory properties (4). They help fight oxidative stress by donating the electrons needed to quench unstable free radicals in the body. This is great news because we are bombarded by free radicals due to poor dietary choices, alcohol consumption, environmental pollution, long-term stress, and other lifestyle habits. All these factors increase your body’s demand for antioxidants.
3. They’re Rich in Micro-Nutrients These functional foods are nutrient-rich, providing the body with amino acids, fiber, and a variety of micro-nutrients such as: Iodine Iron Magnesium Copper Selenium Potassium Manganese Zinc B-complex vitamins Interestingly, shiitake mushrooms are also one of the few dietary sources of vitamin D, an important nutrient for healthy immunity and strong bones (5).

Tips for Choosing the Right Supplement

Extracts of brown seaweed and shiitake mushrooms are becoming popular thanks to a growing number of research studies. However, it can be tricky knowing what to look for in a supplement. You need to be sure the products you buy are made by a trustworthy brand that uses pure raw ingredients!

Seaweed and mushrooms absorb nutrients (and sometimes toxins) from the environments they grow in, which means there is a risk of environmental contamination if they’re not pristinely sourced. As a trusted K-Health company, this is where Sejong Biotech comes in!

SJ Fucoidan is a wellness restorative that combines Fucoidan isolated from Brown Seaweed with Shiitake Mushroom Extract in one convenient formula. It’s been manufactured in a GMP facility using minimal ingredients of the highest purity. Each capsule provides 400 mg of Fucoidan and 100 mg of Shiitake Mushroom Powder – nothing else!

Resources: 1. Bisen et al. (2010). Lentinus edodes: a macrofungus with pharmacological activities. Available at: http://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20491636

You’d have to be living under a rock not to know that Korean products are all the rage right now. From K-Pop to Korean barbecue to K-Beauty, there’s just no escaping the outpouring of innovation and creativity from Korean culture. But are you missing out on the benefits of arguably the most important export from this beautiful country: K-Health?

The long-held medicinal secrets of Korean ingredients are just now being revealed. One of these secrets is the power of Korean pine needles to restore and rejuvenate. Across 5,000 years of history-making, wisdom about the health benefits sourced from Korea’s surrounding landscape was passed down for generations. Now, this insight is available to you too.

Here’s why you should make Korean pine needles your new go-to K-Health staple:

How Korean Pine Needles Transform Your Health

Did you know that 70% of Korea is taken up by stunning mountains? Korea is also well-known for its magnificent pine forests, which remain green throughout the cold winters. These pine trees have been treasured for centuries as a source of beauty and healing in Korean culture.

A distillation of Korean pine needles packs a powerful elixir of health benefits. Besides being a natural ingredient sourced from the environment, pine needles can promote whole-body restoration. They do this by supporting overall improved blood circulation.

The pros of Korean pine needles don’t end there. They also support blood vessel health and can even improve blood sugar levels and cholesterol. Why wouldn’t you want to make this K-Health supplement part of your daily routine? It’s easy to get started with the SJ Pine Forte soft gels from your trusted K-Health provider, Sejong Biotech.

How to Tell If You’re Getting High-Quality Korean Pine Needles

Don’t settle for less just because you aren’t as familiar with K-Health supplements. The process of adding Korean pine needles to your health regimen should be easy and stress-free. But you may be wondering, what distinguishes a good Korean pine needle supplement from a lackluster one?

We’ve got you covered. The best indicator that you’re getting a high-quality distillation is the ingredient list. The simpler the better. That’s how you know you’re not getting any extra “fluff” when you invest in your well-being with a Korean pine needle supplement.

SJ Pine Forte only has two main ingredients: Korean Pine Needle Distilled Concentration and Vitamin E. You can breathe a sigh of relief knowing this supplement is pure, without added sugar or artificial colors that would detract from the health benefits.

Why the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Certification is Important When Choosing K-Health

But ingredients aren’t the only sign that you’re getting the best of the best with K-Health supplements. Especially if you’re new to K-Health, you may be uncertain how to determine whether you can put your trust in a specific product.

One easy way of ensuring quality is to check that the product was made in a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) facility. GMP is the gold standard for assessing quality and consistency with supplements. Every time a product is made in a GMP facility, it goes through stringent testing and must follow detailed protocols before it makes its way to you.

SJ Pine Forte from Sejong Biotech has everything you need in a Korean pine needle supplement: simple ingredients made in a GMP facility. You’ll love how good it feels to unlock the secrets of Korean health.

Try out SJ Pine Forte today and see why everyone is talking about K-Health.

It is challenging to find an ingredient with more appeal and name recognition than ginseng. This plant is native to Asian countries such as Korea and is a key aspect of the health promoting tenets of wildly popular K-Health supplements.

Because you’ve likely heard of ginseng, you know that it has many health benefits and there are great reasons to take it. But did you know that there are many different varieties of ginseng, as well as different styles of preparation that can affect its properties?

When choosing which ginseng to add to your lifestyle, it’s crucial to consider the quality and quantity of ginseng you are purchasing. Here are the important factors you should consider when choosing which ginseng is right for you:

1. What Type of Ginseng Are You Getting?

There are different types of ginseng, and not all of them are true Korean ginseng, which will either be sold as a red or white variety. So when you check what type of ginseng the supplement is made from, you’ll want to see that it is sourced from Korea. All ginseng is harvested white but can be processed to become red.

Red ginseng, especially when formulated from a root source that has been cultivated for 6 years prior to fermentation, will have the maximum absorptivity and provide the health benefits you seek. Don’t let other formulations fool you by not being clear about the type of ginseng you’re getting.

2. How Well is the Ginseng Made?

Not all supplements are made to the same level of quality standards. It’s a good idea to verify that a supplement you are considering was made under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) or is certified in some way. GMP ensures that a product is made consistently to the highest standard.

To get the most out of these positive effects, you’ll want to choose a supplement like the Korea Hyosamjung Gold (Fermented Red Ginseng), a ginseng supplement composed of natural ingredients made in a GMP facility. This ginseng also happens to be KFDA certified, adding another level of confidence to its quality. KFDA is the Korean version of the FDA, which provides approval over verified supplements.

Selecting your dream ginseng is easy when you know what to look for.

• #ginseng #healthsupplements #Koreanmedicine #naturalremedies #wellness

Joint pain can be debilitating. Whether it causes aches in your knees or leaves your wrist throbbing, tricky joints are a problem that many people suffer from daily. It can seem impossible to wade through the endless information on the internet to determine what is the best natural remedy to ease your discomfort.

But there’s no need to worry anymore. We’ve put together this list of 12 unique ingredients that are used around the world to heal joint pain:

12 Ingredients That Help You Wave Goodbye to Joint Pain

1. Methyl Sulfonyl Methane

Don’t let the complicated name scare you. Methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM) is an “organosulfur compound,” which simply means that it is a molecule containing organic elements like oxygen, sulfur, and carbon. It turns out MSM is also the key to reducing inflammation and joint pain through its anti-inflammatory properties.

2. White Willow Bark

White willow bark, sourced from willow trees, is often referred to as “nature’s aspirin.” This is because it contains the pain fighting agent ‘salicin.’ You’ll find these unassuming willow trees growing in locations such as Northern Asia, where it has long been used medicinally. It actually inspired the creation of the chemical that forms aspirin.

3. Eucommia Bark

Though the eucommia tree has lush green leaves, it is the bark that contains all of the potency. Bone and muscle strengthening is a common use for this popular Korean extract.

4. Chaff Flower

The chaff flower is actually classified as an herb. You may not be familiar with it, but it’s commonly used in traditional Korean healing.

5. Litsea Japonica

Even if you haven’t heard of litsea japonica, you’re likely intimately familiar with its cousin the bay laurel (where bay leaves come from). The fruit of the litsea japonica tree acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

6. Green-lipped Mussel

Did you know green-lipped mussels are native to New Zealand? They have a distinctive appearance compared to other types of mussels. They have a dark brown shell with the notable green lip around their opening. Besides an interesting appearance, green-lipped mussels have joint health potency when taken as a supplement.

7. Angelica Root

Also called “wild celery,” angelica root is a sweet-scented edible plant that can ease joint discomfort and many other maladies. This root contains the aromatic compounds ‘terpenes,’ that provide herbal flavor.

8. Scutellaria Baicalensis Root

Scutellaria baicalensis is also known as Chinese skullcap. The name sounds a bit scary, but scutellaria baicalensis actually grows as a delicate burst of purple flowers. Beat back inflammation with this medicinal herb found in many Asian countries.

9. Siberian Ginseng

This is a unique type of ginseng that grows wild in coniferous mountain forests. It is also an adaptogen that gives your body the vitality to combat the stress and strain of daily living.

10. Turmeric

When you make Asian or Indian cuisine, you’ll find yourself reaching for this delicious yellow-hued spice. It is both tasty and healthy, as it contains the antioxidant curcumin.

11. Shark Cartilage

Shark cartilage is exactly what it sounds like! It might surprise you that this is a healing agent capable of chipping away at joint pain.

12. Safflower Seed

Safflower seed is commonly found as an oil and powder. It’s best known for heart and full-body healthy fatty acids that make it a strong anti-inflammatory. Where can you find a natural supplement that combines all 12 of these ingredients? Our product, Sejong Joint OK Formula, combines each item in one classic formulation. Learn more here.