What Are The Benefits Of Taking Sea Kelp?

Kelp is a type of brown seaweed that can be eaten raw, but because of its unappealing texture and taste, it is usually taken in other forms. When dried, it can be chopped or crushed and added to soups, salads, sauces or other dishes. It can be ground into powder and taken in supplement form. Rich in minerals and vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K, kelp also contains proteins that are comparable in quality to animal proteins, according to Linda Page, Ph.D., in her book "Healthy Healing."

Weight Loss

Chemists in Japan have found that brown seaweed appears to promote weight loss due to a compound called fucoxanthin, as reported by the American Chemical Society. Fucoxanthin is the brown pigment which is characteristic of kelp and is abundant in a type of kelp used in traditional Japanese miso soup. Because you would need to eat huge amounts of kelp to cause noticeable weight loss, researchers are trying to extract the most active form of fucoxanthin and develop it into a liquid or pill that will help fight obesity.

Cancer

Eating a diet containing kelp was shown to lower levels of the potent sex hormone estradiol in rats, according to a study authored by Christine Skibola at the University of California-Berkeley. Future studies will evaluate the effectiveness of kelp at decreasing the risk of estrogen-dependent diseases such as breast cancer in humans. Kelp contains several complex compounds, including polyphenols, considered to be powerful antioxidants that improve immunity, purify blood and promote hormonal health.

Hypertension

The University of Maryland Medical Center, in addition to other dietary and nutritional suggestions, recommends eating sea vegetables such as kelp to reduce blood pressure. Kelp is rich in trace minerals, including sodium, potassium, magnesium, which all play a central role in regulating blood pressure. They also play a vital role in regulating bodily fluids, which influences cardiac output. Do not stop taking your blood pressure medication or start any new treatments until you consult your doctor first.

Warnings

Kelp supplements are sometimes taken under the direction of a health-care provider as a source of iodine by people with thyroid conditions. Caution should be exercised against excessive kelp intake due to the potential of kelp to accumulate heavy metals. Its high levels of iodine and low levels of heavy metals means it's not recommended for anyone who is pregnant, nursing, or has hyperthyroid conditions, according to Skibola.