A type of seaweed, bladderwrack is sometimes used as a food, nutritional supplement and medicinal remedy. Bladderwrack fronds are the vegetative structures of the plants that are used in medicinal preparations and nutritional supplements. You might take bladderwrack to treat an iodine deficiency, certain gastrointestinal problems or other medical conditions. No conclusive scientific evidence supports the use of bladderwrack as a medical treatment for any condition or disease, however. You must consult your doctor before taking bladderwrack to discuss potential health dangers and proper dosage.
Description
Also called rockwrack, seawrack or rockweed, bladderwrack is a seaweed that grows near the coastlines in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as the Baltic and North seas, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Sometimes mistakenly called kelp, bladderwrack is used medicinally for the properties contained in its thallus, or main stem or frond, according to the University of Michigan Health System. The botanical name for bladderwrack is Fucus vesiculosus.
History
Bladderwrack has been used as a food or flavoring in Japan and Europe, as well as a traditional herbal remedy and nutritional supplement. Historically, bladderwrack's thallus was used as a laxative, to ease tissue irritations and inflammation, as well as to treat or prevent obesity. No conclusive clinical evidence supports these proposed uses, however, so you should consult your doctor before taking bladderwrack.
Benefits
Today, you might take bladderwrack to help treat hypothyroidism, fatigue, menstrual problems and cellulite, as well as to support weight loss, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Bladderwrack remedies are also sometimes used to help in treating constipation, acid reflux or heartburn, and atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Other proposed uses for bladderwrack include helping to treat gastritis, indigestion, iodine deficiencies, diarrhea and gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Be sure to talk with a health care professional before taking any remedies containing bladderwrack for any purpose.
Dosage
The recommended dosage of bladderwrack will depend on your individual health situation and the purpose for which you're taking the herb, so you should ask your doctor about the appropriate dosage of bladderwrack. The typical recommended dosage of bladderwrack taken to treat constipation is 1 tsp. of powdered herb with at least 8 oz. of water, taken three times daily for only a few days at a time, notes UMHS. The dosage sometimes recommended for treating hypothyroidism due to iodine deficiency, acid reflux, gastritis and other gastrointestinal problems is typically 5g to 10g of dried bladderwrack capsules taken three times daily. Keep in mind that you shouldn't take more than 150mcg of iodine from any source each day.
Function
Bladderwrack contains high levels of iodine, which might help to treat hypothyroidism due to iodine deficiency specifically. Bladderwrack also contains the active constituents fucoidan and alginic acid, which are types of dietary fiber that are responsible for the seaweed's proposed uses in helping to treat constipation, diarrhea, indigestion and acid reflux. These dietary fibers in bladderwrack may also help to lower LDL, or "bad," cholesterol levels. Additionally, fucoidan contains sulfur groups that may help to reduce blood sugar levels, as well as provide anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant and anti-HIV effects. Bladderwrack's polyphenols may provide its antibacterial and antioxidant effects. Also, bladderwrack's constituents may have anti-estrogenic effects by reducing estradiol levels, which can help to regulate menstruation cycles, according to a 2004 case report of three premenopausal women who took bladderwrack.
Warnings
There are several potential health risks associated with taking bladderwrack remedies. First, bladderwrack that's taken from polluted ocean or sea areas can contain dangerous heavy metals like mercury and arsenic, which can cause liver and kidney damage. A case report published in 1998 indicated that a bladderwrack product containing high levels of heavy metals caused kidney failure in a person, according to UPMC. Also, bladderwrack products may have varying levels of iodine content, making the risk of overdosing on iodine very prevalent. If you take too much iodine, you could develop serious thyroid problems, warns UMHS. Less dangerous side effects from taking bladderwrack include aggravated acne and reduced iron absorption. Considering all of these potentially grave health risks, you should use bladderwrack only under the supervision of a health care professional.
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