Can Seaweed Protect You From Skin Cancer

Researchers at Ohio State University have found a link between seaweed and fighting skin cancer.

Dr. Gary Stoner created a type of sunscreen using seaweed. He took an extract from brown, spongy algae and applied it to lab mice. Then he put the mice under ultraviolet lights for observation.

"It was probably some of the most active material that I've ever seen tested on the skin to prevent ultraviolet-light induced cancer in mice," said Dr. Gary Stoner.

Stoner also fed the mice small amounts of the seaweed and got similar results.
"It was able to protect against skin cancer as effectively as when applied topically to the skin itself," Stoner said.

The seaweed helped cut the number of skin cancer tumors in mice by nearly 60 percent, said researchers.

Experts said it is too early to tell if the seaweed will have the same effect on human skin.