Kelp is a sea vegetable that contains high amounts of iodine, an essential mineral that significantly affects health and well being. This mineral affects many body functions and systems, and is critical for the thyroid gland's function. Many people take iodine in the form of kelp to help resolve certain thyroid problems. If you have thyroid problems, ask your doctor whether kelp might be beneficial to you.
Thyroid
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that is part of the body's endocrine system, located in the neck below the Adam's apple. This small gland controls the body's metabolism, which in turn has profound effects in the body. The thyroid works in conjunction with other endocrine components, and affects every cell and system in the body.
Kelp
Kelp is sold as a whole, dried vegetable; in granules that come in a shaker bottle; or in tablet form. The whole vegetables and shaker bottles are usually sold at health food stores, and you can purchase the tablets over the counter at health food stores or through online nutritional supplement retailers. Kelp is generally inexpensive. You can include the vegetable or shaker granules in soups, salads and other dishes. It has a salty taste. Check with your doctor before using, because it could interact with thyroid medicine you may be taking.
Problems
Thyroid problems for which people take kelp include hypothyroidism, which is when the thyroid gland is not producing thyroid hormones, or the body is not properly converting and using thyroid hormones. Every cell and system in your body uses thyroid hormones for critical functions, and thyroid hormones control your body's metabolism. Goiter, a sign of iodine lack and underactive thyroid, is another thyroid problem for which people take kelp. One of the key symptoms is a visibly swollen neck because of thyroid enlargement.
Benefits
Benefits that some people notice when they take kelp in tablet form or consume it in whole pieces or granules include increased energy, not feeling as cold, better moods, less brain fog, improved sleep, less constipation, weight loss, less anxiety and healthier hair and skin. All of these are related to the iodine content in kelp and to improved thyroid functioning. Check with your doctor to see whether kelp fits into your thyroid treatment plan.
Considerations
People vary in terms of whether they need kelp to assist with thyroid problems. Some types of kelp are organic, which can be important, because like any vegetable, kelp can become contaminated with various toxins. Also, because kelp comes from the sea and certain sea waters can be heavily polluted, kelp can contain high amounts of these pollutants. If possible, purchase a kelp brand that states it is free of contaminants or toxins.
Precautions
Discuss your thyroid treatment with your doctor, especially if you have been diagnosed with a thyroid problem, such as hypothyroidism. If you are already taking thyroid hormone replacement medication, ingesting the iodine that is in kelp could increase your body's thyroid levels such that you become overmedicated and your medication dosage needs to be reduced. Thus, if you take kelp in addition to thyroid medication, inform your prescribing doctor that you are doing so. Your thyroid functioning should be monitored closely with thyroid hormone blood tests.
References
- "Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can't Live Without It," David Brownstein, M.D., 2009
- University of Delaware: Iodine Helps Kelp Fight Free Radicals and May Aid Humans, Too
- University of Michigan Health System: Selected Herb-Drug Interactions
- National Library of Medicine---National Institutes of Health: Iodine
- Women to Women: Thyroid Health
