Kelp is a seaweed that grows naturally on rocky shores and in salt water. The largest quantities of kelp are along the Pacific rim, most notably the coasts of Japan and Alaska down through California. Diets rich in kelp purport to improve your health and have given the seaweed a reputation as a wonder food. However, currently available scientific studies do not support many of these purported benefits. Speak with a medical professional prior to taking liquid kelp dietary supplements.
Consuming Kelp
While there are several ways you can consume kelp, the "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine," recommends the liquid form as the healthiest, most effective way to obtain the benefits of kelp. The liquid form maintains all of the nutritional content of raw kelp. Other supplemental forms decrease the nutritional content of the kelp through processing. In addition, the liquid form of kelp offers a convenient method for obtaining the nutritional benefits found in raw kelp without consuming large quantities of raw seaweed.
An Immune and Metabolism Boost
Consuming kelp speeds up recovery time after catching a cold or flu, according to "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Additionally, kelp can boost your body's general feeling of wellness by giving you an invigorating feeling. Further, kelp can boost your body's metabolism and help you burn calories. Kelp contains iodine and the metabolizing and calorie burning benefits of this seaweed may result from the iodine content found in the seaweed.
An Excellent Source of Iodine
Kelp is rich in iodine, and iodine can contribute to a healthy thyroid. Since a healthy thyroid promotes a healthy weight, the iodine found in kelp may help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. When your body has insufficient levels of iodine, your thyroid will not produce enough hormones, leading to hypothyroidism, an enlarged thyroid gland resulting in a general feeling of tiredness and simultaneous weight gain. Iodine, therefore, plays an essential role in a well-functioning body.
Benefits For Your Skin
According to "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine," if applied directly to your skin, kelp can sooth the damage from a sunburn or protect your skin from radiation damage. Many Japanese skin care products use kelp as an active ingredient. In addition to using skin care products with kelp, Japanese people generally eat diets high in kelp.
References
- "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine"; Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno; 1997
- "Prescription for Dietary Wellness: Using Foods to Heal"; Phyllis Balch; 2003
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phylis A Balch and James Balch; 2000
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