Bladderwrack seaweed, known scientifically as Fucus vesiculosus, is found on northern shorelines of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as the Baltic and North sea. A brown seaweed, bladderwrack should not be confused with kelp, as it is a different species. Bladderwrack is consumed whole, as part of culinary dishes or taken as a dietary supplement. The National Institutes of Health warns that bladderwrack can contain heavy metals, and its high iodine content can cause thyroid problems. Use should be avoided if you are pregnant, or on any medication such as blood thinners or diabetes medication. Bladderwrack can also have laxative effects. Speak to your physician before taking.
Thyroid Function
Iodine is an element that the body needs to produce thyroid hormone. The body does not produce its own iodine, so it must be taken in through diet or supplements. Without sufficient iodine, you can develop conditions such as goiter, underactive thyroid or complications with pregnancy, according to the American Thyroid Association. Bladderwrack seaweed is an excellent source of iodine, as noted by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. One word of caution: Too much iodine can cause abnormal thyroid function just as too little iodine can.
Cancer treatment
Bladderwrack has been found in a few studies to aid in cancer treatment. Researchers at Jeju National University in South Korea tested a compound from bladderwrack, fucoidan, against human colon cancer cells. The results of the study, published in the October 2009 Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, show that the bladderwrack extract stopped the growth of the cancer cells and initiated cell death. The researchers conclude that fucoidan, from bladderwrack, may have potential as an anticancer treatment, particularly for colon cancer.
Skin Benefits
Bladderwrack may be useful as an antiaging agent in cosmetic preparations. According to researchers at Biological Science Laboratories in Japan, as the skin on the cheeks age, it normally becomes thicker and its elasticity diminishes, leading to signs of sagging and aging. The researchers performed a study in which they applied a gel that contained 1 percent bladderwrack extract to cheek skin twice a day for five weeks. The results of the study, published in the January-February 2002 issue of Journal of Cosmetic Science, show that the bladderwrack gel helped decrease skin thickness and improve the skin's elasticity. Researchers conclude that the bladderwrack extract should be used in antiaging products.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Medline Plus: Seaweed, Kelp, Bladderwrack
- American Thyroid Association: Iodine Deficiency
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Bladderwrack
- PubMed: Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin: Apoptosis inducing activity of fucoidan in HCT-15 colon carcinoma cells
- PubMed: Journal of Cosmetic Science: Treatment of human skin with an extract of Fucus vesiculosus
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