What is Kelp?
Kelp is a large type of seaweed that bursts with essential nutrients. Marine vegetation concentrates iodine and is noted for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. So if you’re not consuming kelp, what else are you missing out on?
This mighty sea veggie is one of the best natural food sources of iodine, according to The National Institute of Health. It is not only rich in iodine, but also a natural source of vitamins, specifically; A, B1, B2, C, D and E and minerals including zinc, magnesium, iron, potassium, copper, manganese and calcium. Because kelp is rich in iodine, it can help to regulate metabolism, and is an essential piece in thyroid hormone production.
More benefits of kelp!
Seaweed is also accredited for its ability to bind heavy metals and radioactive pollutants. In a study conducted by Dr. Yukio Tanaka of the Gastrointestinal Research Lab at McGill University demonstrated that kelp may inhibit the absorption of lead, cadmium, and radioactive strontium. And seaweeds have an exceptional value in the treatment of candida overgrowth (yeast).
What if we are deficient?
Dr. Guy Abraham, researcher and author of The Iodine Project articles, wrote: “ if we are iodine deficient then we may be dealing with things like: diminished intellect, decreased energy, lowered vitality, and be significantly vulnerable to thyroid malfunction, endocrine/hormonal imbalances, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer.”
Many have a widely held assumption that we are iodine sufficient due to the availability and use of iodized salt; but in fact, iodine intake has been steadily decreasing since the 70s. Dr. David Brownstein shared, “over 95% of my patients that I tested were deficient in iodine.” That’s staggering!
How can I reap the benefits?
An individual can choose to consume kelp as a food or a supplement. Like anything it is best to obtain nutrients from dietary sources, where possible. To a broader, nutritious diet, alongside a variety of fresh vegetable and other unprocessed nutrient-dense foods, kelp can be a superfood addition. There are simple ways to incorporate it into your daily diet; you can add organic, dried kelp into soups or stews, use raw kelp noodles in salads and main dishes, or even sprinkle some on for seasoning.
If you are wondering how to check the status of your iodine levels; contact us to learn about the 24-hour urine iodine loading test and see what your levels look like!
References: “Healing With Iodine” ~ Dr. Mark Sircus
“Iodine: Why You Need It & Why You Can’t Live Without It” 5th Edition ~ Dr. Brownstein