For many years now, sea kelp has been viewed as  a rich source of iodine  with a significant amounts of calcium and smaller amounts of potassium and magnesium, zinc, copper and iron. Actually, it’s a better source of calcium than iodine. It is one of nature’s highest natural sources with 10 times more than the equivalent amount of milk.

The vitamins include A,  B1, B2, C, D, E and K, and amino acids.

What is uncertain is whether this particular sea weed is a help or a hindrance. There are plenty of supplements on the market which exploit its attractive powers.

Weight Loss Benefit

Some view sea kelp as a means of helping with weight loss. The benefit is supposed to come from iodine. This trace element is a non-metal which is needed for the thyroid gland to work properly. The thyroid produces the metabolic hormones which are used throughout like for body development and overall metabolism.

When iodine is combined with the amino acid tyrosine, it produces T3 and T4 thyroid hormones. These are involved in a number of physiological processes as well as helping the body manage its metabolic energy reserves. 

Sea kelp also contains fibre, mainly in the form of alginate which is generally found in all seaweeds. This fibre ‘significantly reduces fat digestion’ and is found in many slimming products. It is worth noting that the evidence for weight loss is slowly developing and larger, fuller and more balanced studies are needed to make clear claims about alginate. 

Hair Growth

The evidence is anecdotal. Sea kelp supplements may help hair to regrow. It’s not clear if it actually boosts growth but there is certainly a number of minerals and vitamins which are associated with keeping hair strong and healthy. It may even reduce the amount of hair breakage and split ends.

Reducing The Impact Of Age

Iodine is also involved in mopping up certain types of free radicals which makes it an antioxidant. It was found in some preparations to remove free radicals from red blood cells (RBCs) which are implicated with aging processes in cells.

Try Montagne Jeunesse Dead Sea Mud Spa clay mask: therapeutic Dead Sea minerals and Dead Sea mud, nutrient-rich seaweed, and mineral-packed kelp which are claimed to keep your skin nourished and moisturised.

Associated Risks With Consuming Sea Kelp

Whilst sea kelp contains plenty of minerals and nutrients, too much of this is not a god thing and can be associated with health issues.

Iodine

Iodine is good for you. It is noted that goitre which is an iodine deficiency is now rare in the western world so deficiency is not common. However, iodine supplements are rarely advised when good nutrition should suffice. Salt for example can be iodised. Most salt, when not deliberately iodized with provide between 16 micrograms and 600 micrograms of iodine. In fact too much iodine can lead to health issues such as hyperthyroidism, Grave’s disease and thyroid cancer.

Kelp is not a uniform source of iodine either. There is plenty of analytical evidence to indicate the amounts supplied by kelp are highly variable. It depends also on the species used. Bladderwrack or seawrack is used to produce supplements of a highly variable nature.

Heavy Metals

The issue of heavy metals is never far away. Polluted seawaters mean any algae growing in that environment where heavy metals are high will contain significant amounts of metals such as lead, mercury etc. Toxic heavy metals in the diet produce a number of health issues. The potential for dosing on toxic amounts means it isn’t recommended to be taken if pregnant or breastfeeding, or by children or people with health issues, especially liver or kidney problems. It should be possible however to make sure a particular supplement comes from kelp grown in clean waters.

Variability Of Supply

We’ve already mentioned that different sea kelps have varying levels of nutrients. Likewise, check the sea kelp supplements and be clear that it is ‘kelp’ you are receiving. There are a large number of sea kelp supplements available containing a variety of different types of algae that all come under the name ‘kelp’, which may affect your body in different ways. For instance, bladderwrack can cause or even make acne worse, and there is a single reported case of it causing kidney failure but that anecdotally related to heavy metal damage in the supplement.

As with any supplements, it’s definitely best to consult a doctor before taking any; especially if pregnant, breastfeeding or suffering from any ailments. Of course, never exceed the recommended dosage of supplements, or the recommended daily allowance of minerals like iodine.

Products

Please note this page contains links to our affiliate marketing partner. Please read our affiliate disclosure.