You can obtain sea kelp as food, powders, tablets, or tinctures. This type of seaweedis loaded with healthy nutrients that’ll lead to your overall well-being.
Kelp is popular for its size. You may think it’s a tree, but it’s actually a large algae brown in color. Vegetables are known for their powerful health benefits. But have you ever thought about how much you can benefit from sea vegetables? Kelp, sea algae,is more beneficial than you think, and it’s high time this plant receives the appreciation it deserves. Here is everything about kelp, including the benefits it offers to humans.
Do you know what kelp is?
What cameto your mind when you first heard about ‘kelp’? Whatever you thought, am sure a sea vegetable never clicked into your mind. Well, kelp is a beneficial seaweed.This type of algae is available in 30 varietiesand they all exist in salty water especially oceans. This species grows best in cool, shallow waters near the shore. It’s difficult to find a little kelp growing on its own. Usually, they grow in dense and form forests, commonly known as kelp forests. These kelp forests offer food and shelter for many fish and other marine species. A kelp plant is one of the fastest-growing plants and can quickly grow as much as 200 feet in less than 12 months.
What nutrients does kelp have?
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin k1
- Calcium
- Pantothenic acid
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Folate
What are the health benefits of kelp?
Provides essential vitamins
Kelp is loaded with various vitamins like vitamin B12, vitamin K, and vitamin A. It’s also rich in magnesium, iron, and calcium. Vitamin K assists inimproving bone metabolism and increases the production of a protein that helps withblood clots. Vitamin A, availableabundantly in kelp, has many health benefits including promoting good eye health, optimizing functioning of immune system, and improving reproduction health. Also, it enables lungs, kidneys, and heart to work in theirbest conditions.
Improves bone health
As mentioned earlier, kelp is loaded with various vitamins and important minerals like iron, magnesium, calcium, and iron-all needed forgood bone development and general health. Among all nutrients, calcium plays the greatest role in maximizing the bone’s general health. With kelp being the major source of this nutrient among all calcium-rich plants, you can be sure you’ll have the healthiest bones.
Helps with hair
For any individual highly concerned with their hair, consuming kelp will help to maintain healthy hair. Kelp is full of iodine, which has a positive impact on thyroid functionalities and hair thinning. Also, using hair conditioners and shampoo that have kelp in the ingredient list will strengthen your hair, and prevent hair loss.
Helps with ageing
Kelp contains iodine which is known for its anti-aging effects. This substance helps to eliminate free radicals in human blood cells, chemicals that cause ageing in individuals. Therefore, a regular intake of kelp products will help you look young and feel young.
Reduces cholesterol levels
Kelp can reduce bad cholesterol levels. It alsolowers levels of triglycerides and raises good cholesterol.
It helps with diabetes
Consuming kelp helps to lower blood glucose levels. Eating enough amounts increases the effectiveness of antioxidants and improves glycemic control. Hence, you’ll have lower risks of getting diabetes and if you’re diabetic, it’ll help you have stable blood sugar levels.
Improves muscle function
Kelp will provide your body with the energy it needs to exerciseand also help your muscles recover fast after a workout session. It has a high content of magnesium which controls most biochemical reactions in the body. Kelp is an electrolyte, thus playing a big role in ensuring muscles are functioning properly. Research proves magnesium help individuals recover quickly aftermuscle damage.
It helps with weight loss
Kelp contains alginate, a natural fiber, which helps to prevent fat absorbed by the gut. Hence, making kelp a great supplement for weight maintenance. Also, fiber is effective in reducing hunger through increasing satiety. Therefore, alginate, present in kelp,will control your appetite and help you have your desired weight.
It helps with thyroid function
Kelp is known as one of the best natural providers of iodine; a substance useful in the production ofthyroid hormone. Lack of enough iodine leads to an abnormal enlargement of thyroid gland, a condition known as goiter. It also destroys your metabolism. Also, too much iodine can cause thyroid gland inflammation, goiter, and other thyroid disorders.
What is the right dosage of kelp?
When it comes to dosage, your physician is in the best position to prescribe you the right amount of kelp you should take. Due to high amounts of iodine, overconsumption of kelp can cause hypothyroidism,hyperthyroidism, or abnormal reactions. You can consumesea kelp as raw or cooked food, powder, or supplements. Whichever way you consume it, ensure you don’t exceed the recommended dosage.
Do kelps have any side effects?
The worst thing you can ever do with kelp is consume it without seeking advice from healthexperts. This species is found in ocean, thus exposed to harmful metals. It may containlead, cadmium, aluminum, and many other heavy metals that may impact your health negatively. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use kelp supplements to avoid endangering their unborn baby and small babies. Also, individuals under heart medications and those with thyroid issues should avoid this type of algae.
Which is the best way to consume kelp supplements?
If you want to maximize your kelp consumption, taking itssupplement; capsules, or powdered type is the best alternative. These forms effectively boost your kelp intake. Ensure you take the dosage according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Powdered kelp supplementsare quickly absorbed compared to capsules because they don’t have capsule barriers that need to be broken down. Also, powder is a good option because you can mix it with drinks, making it easier to meet the recommended dosage.
Conclusion
Isn’t it amazing that sea kelp, brown algae growing in oceans is so beneficial to human beings? There is so much to benefit from kelp. It contains many vitamins and minerals which will help you stay healthy and increase your days of living. To have fun with it, you can add it to stir fry dishes, salads, soups, smoothies, and any other drink. If you don’t want to get fancy with it in recipes, take kelp supplements!
I believe that nutrition science is a wonderful helper both for the preventive improvement of health and adjunctive therapy in treatment. My goal is to help people improve their health and well-being without torturing themselves with unnecessary dietary restrictions. I am a supporter of a healthy lifestyle – I play sports, cycle, and swim in the lake all year round. With my work, I have been featured in Vice, Country Living, Harrods magazine, Daily Telegraph, Grazia, Women's Health, and other media outlets.
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