Kelp, a form of brown seaweed, is a sea vegetable that is prominent in Japanese cuisine and coastal cultures. Kelp, high in nutritional value and low in calories, can also be taken in tablet form. Kelp tablets offer a convenient way to obtain the health benefits of kelp. Consult your doctor about using kelp tablets to treat a medical condition.
Iodine
Kelp is a rich source of iodine; however content varies considerably depending upon the species and averages between 1.5 mg to 2.5 mg per g. Kelp may benefit symptoms of arthritis, hypertension, eczema and migraine, according to B.B. Desai, author of the "Handbook of Nutrition and Diet." Kelp also contains amino acids and is a good source of thiamine, riboflavin, pantohenic acid, niacin, vitamin C, folic acid, and vitamins A and E.
Longevity
The traditional Okinawan diet, famed for contributing to the health and longevity associated with Okinawan people, contains considerable quantities of kelp, according to Bradley Wilcox, author of the book "The Okinawa Program: How the World's Longest-Lived People Achieve Everlasting Health." Okinawans wrap fish and vegetables in the sea vegetable and add it to miso soup. For convenience, or if you do not wish to eat kelp as part of your diet, kelp tablets can provide the health benefits of kelp at any meal or time of day.
Anti-Cancer
Some species of kelp may provide anti-cancer benefits, according to a study published in the July 2006 issue of the journal "Food and Chemical Toxicology." In the tissue culture study, dulse, algae and three species of kelp inhibited cervical cancer cell growth by up to 78 percent within 72 hours. The level of polyphenol antioxidant content of the sea vegetables was associated with their anti-cancer effects.
Considerations
High sodium content in kelp -- 1/2 cup of raw wakame contains about 900 mg -- may make kelp tablets undesirable as a source of iodine if you have high blood pressure. Kelp tablets have been known to cause acne in some people and the high levels of iodine can cause a thyroid imbalance. Some kelp tablets also contain high levels of iron, which can cause an iron overload condition called hemochromatosis. Contamination with toxic metals, such as arsenic, can also occur, depending on the waters where the kelp is grown or harvested. Always obtain supplements from a trusted and reliable source and take them with the consent and supervision of a nutritionally oriented health care provider.
References
- "Handbook of Nutrition and Diet"; B. B. Desai; 2000
- "Journal of General Internal Medicine"; Iodine-induced Thyrotoxicosis After Ingestion of Kelp-containing Tea; Karsten Müssig, et al.; June 2006
- "The Okinawa Program: How the World's Longest-lived People Achieve ..."; Bradley J. Willcox; 2002
- "Food and Chemical Toxicology"; Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Extracts from a Variety of Edible Seaweeds; Y. Yuan, et al.; July 2006
- "Effects of Herbal Supplements on Clinical Laboratory Test Results"; Dasgupta; 2011
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