Centuries ago, explorers thought that the secret to eternal youth could be found in a Floridian fountain. Since then, we have all been searching for that fountain and I suspect that in fact many of us are still looking. There seems to be no limit on the amount of money and effort that people will devote to remaining forever young.

Occasionally, something comes along that really seems to have promise. One product that may possibly fit this bill is called "Aquacal." These exotic little tablets come to us from New Zealand. And they are produced from seaweed of all things. According to the manufacturer, Aquacal is a calcium rich product with a host of users who claim to realize sizable health benefits. As you know, we all need calcium to help us support good bone health. This is particularly so as we become older.

Traditonally, seaweed has never hit it big in the U.S. You my recall that even McDonald's tried to push this slimy vegetation on us when it incorporated seaweed into its low fat hamburger. It did not last long. I bought one - I think the only one they sold.

But seaweed seems to becoming hip and trendy. According to Aquacal, seaweed contains natural calcium as well as magnesium, zinc, iron and copper. It is highly bio-available, which means it will be largely absorbed into your body.

Aquacal claims that its seaweed product can help combat against brittle bone disease, also called osteoporosis. According to the company, medical and health-care specialists are encouraging people to address the risks associated with osteoporosis by ensuring proper daily intake of calcium in their diet, along with exercise and other protective measures. Aquacal, the company tells us, does a very good job in introducing enough calcium and minerals so as to help guard against these bone problems.

Now, Aquacal purports not to be any old seaweed. It is a special seaweed that is harvested from the bed of the Atlantic Ocean near Ireland. This body of water is reportedly rich in naturally occurring minerals which support the production of this higher quality seaweed, we are informed.

According to the manufacturer, a daily intake of two capsules will provide 500 milligrams of calcium. Not only is this substance supposed to be good for your bones, it also is said to promote a pattern or relaxed sleep.

Margaret Campbell is a director of Capicorn Trading, the New Zealand company that exports this material to the U.S. She tells me that the company is 3 ½ years old.

According to Margaret, the company's seaweed is completely renewable. This is so because the seaweed that is processed is actually calcified seaweed that has ended up on the ocean floor. Since the company does not destroy the plant, the process is not the least bit destructive.

Margaret pointed me to studies from Trinity College in Dublin Ireland that demonstrate 49.5 percent of the calcium in this product was successfully absorbed by product users. 3.9 percent ended up in the user's femur.

Furthermore, she states and that the ingredients in Aquacal are registered with the American Food and Drugs Association and are in conformance with applicable European Union regulations.

Aquacal is available through Capricorn Trading Limited, P.O. Box 41-008, Eastbourne, 6008. New Zealand. The phone number there is 64-4-562-8712. Its web address is www.aquacal.co.nz.

I have no idea whether this product works as described. But, calcium is so important to all of us, especially, but not only, women. This natural product claims to have a very high level of calcium absorption. If you are in need of such a product, it seems that you may wish to research this particular source to determine if it might help you. And please let me know if this product is as good as the company says it is.

Sometimes when we go fishing, we hook seaweed instead of fish. It might turn out that the sea weed is just as important to us as the fish!

The information provided in this column is written by Stuart Lieberman,a practicing environmental attorney, and is for general information purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be used in place of legal advice.

Stuart Lieberman, Esq., and IRED.Com, Inc., will not accept any responsibilty for any reliance on the information in this column or any damages whatsoever resulting from reading this column.