Brown algae, also referred to as kelp, may provide health-boosting benefits. It can have high levels of a heavy metal that is harmful to the body. Talk to your doctor before treating any health condition with kelp.
Leukemia
Leukemia is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow. With leukemia, white blood cells are abnormally high. Brown algae may help protect against adult T-cell leukemia. In vivo, fucoxanthin and fucoxanthinol, two plant chemicals found in brown algae, were found to inhibit the spread of T-cells in a study published in December 2008 in the "International Journal of Cancer."
Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion
Fucoidan, a type of brown algae, may help protect you from myorcardial ischemia-reperfusion. Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion is when the supply of blood to the heart is interrupted. A study published in May 2007 in "Food and Chemical Toxicology" of mice found that brown algae reduced the inflammation that leads to myorcardial ischemia-reperfusion.
Diabetes
Brown algae may help improve diabetes-related outcomes based on preliminary findings from animal research. In diabetic mice, Ishige okamuraebrown, a type of brown algae, lead to lowered blood glucose levels in a study published in August 2009 in the "European Journal of Pharmacology." It also slowed down carbohydrate absorption.
Safety
When taking brown algae, you have to be careful due to the high levels of arsenic it can contain. One case study published in April 2007 in "Environmental Health Perspective" found that a woman who took a brown algae supplement experienced toxicity. Specifically, she noted nausea, vomiting and fatigue to the point where she was unable to work full-time. Within weeks after she stopped taking the supplement, arsenic was no longer detected in her blood or urine.
References
- " International Journal of Cancer"; Antiadult T-cell Leukemia Effects of Brown Algae Fucoxanthin and its Deacetylated Product, Fucoxanthinol; Chie Ishikawa et al; December 2008
- "Food and Chemical Toxicology"; Fucoidan, a Sulfated Polysaccharide from Brown Algae, Against Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats Via Regulating the Inflammation Response; C. Li et al.; May 2011
- "European Journal of Pharmacology"; Diphlorethohydroxycarmalol Isolated from Ishige Okamurae, a Brown Algae, a Potent α-Glucosidase and α-amylase Inhibitor, Alleviates Postprandial Hyperglycemia in Diabetic Mice; Soo-Jin Heo et al.; August 2009
- "Environmental Health Perspective"; Case Report: Potential Arsenic Toxicosis Secondary to Herbal Kelp Supplement; Eric Amster et al.; April 2007
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