Kelp Benefits
From LoveToKnow Herbs
Of all the vitamins and nutritional supplements out there, kelp is one of the least understood. The reason for this might be because kelp is a sea plant and is used in cooking as well as a dietary supplement. When you understand kelp benefits, you'll see that it is a good addition to many people's diets for several different reasons.
What Is Kelp?
Kelp is kind of seaweed that is harvested from rocky ocean shores around the world. There are several different varieties of kelp that grow in different parts of the world. It's technically a sea vegetable, although most people wouldn't think that it was a cousin of lettuce and zucchini. It can grow up to 30 meters and form kelp forests which rise from the ocean floor up to the surface.
Kelp is a member of the brown algae family and there are more than 30 different varieties. Bongo kelp is the most common form used in nutritional supplements. This form of kelp is rich in iodine, potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron, among many other minerals. In fact, 70 minerals and trace elements are present in kelp.
Kelp Benefits
Kelp has so many nutrients and elements that it is a good nutritional supplement for many people. It has many components that can make the body healthy. One of the most recognized kelp benefits is thyroid regulation. Kelp is rich in iodine, which is important for thyroid function. Your thyroid absorbs iodine from your blood in order to make and distribute hormones into your body. Without iodine, your thyroid isn't able to function properly. When your body is deficient in iron, your thyroid doesn't work correctly and your metabolism slows down. You'll end up gaining weight and putting your health at risk. Iodine deficiency is very common among people who don't eat sea vegetables, dairy and seafood. Taking kelp supplements can help you overcome iodine deficiency.
Another important component of kelp is alkali. Alkali helps your body maintain the balance between acid and alkaline. Your body's pH balance is dependent on the food that you put into your body. When you become sick or when you eat low quality foods, your body becomes more and more acidic. Taking alkali into your body by taking kelp will help you stay balanced and healthy.
Additional kelp benefits include:
- Lowering of cholesterol levels
- Help with digestion
- Appetite control
- Boosted immunity
- Increased energy levels
How to Take Kelp as a Supplement
If you suspect that you may be deficient in iodine, or if you think that kelp could help you with a different problem, you can take kelp as a supplement. You should always consult your doctor before you start taking kelp because it is potentially dangerous in large amounts because of the iodine.
Kelp is available in many different forms. You can take it in tablets, capsules, liquid and powder. You should read the label and follow the directions carefully. Keep in mind that kelp supplements may lose their potency after a while so you shouldn't keep them in your cabinet for years on end.
Kelp supplements aren't without their side effects. Some people may experience nausea or diarrhea when they take kelp supplements. If you are sensitive to iodine, or don't currently have thyroid problems, you should probably avoid kelp supplements. That's why it's so important to consult with a doctor before you start taking kelp.
Many different retailers offer kelp in various forms. Once you get the thumbs up from your doctor, you can choose the form that will work best for you and get the kelp benefits you're looking for.
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This page has been accessed 1,784 times. This page was last modified 01:42, 1 June 2009.
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