Marine algae are a very complete natural food that provides many minerals and vitamins, and kelp algae is one of the best. Adding a little of these photosynthetic protists, as the expert in eukaryotic plant biology Lynn Margulis would say, is a great idea.
In addition to strengthening our health, adding kelp to the diet provides many nutrients. If you want to have good health, you should always have sources of food rich in vitamins and minerals, and edible algae, in this case, provides this.
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Kelp Algae Properties
With an elongated shape and a yellow-green color, they grow in shallow waters, near the sea surface where sunlight reaches them. This characteristic of kelp algae allows them to absorb a lot of light and produce more chlorophyll, which gives them their green color. The clearer the algae, with a more yellowish or brownish color, means it has grown at greater depth.
Belonging to the genera Ascophyllum and Laminaria, they are very flat and stretched and provide many nutrients.
The properties of kelp algae are:
- They improve digestion and intestinal transit. Thanks to their high content of plant fiber, they help you go to the bathroom better, prevent constipation, and make you feel better every day.
- They are good for stopping diarrhea due to alginate acid.
- When ingested, they capture heavy metals from the body. In Japan, algae are used to treat heavy metal poisoning. They purify the body and help eliminate some of them.
- They activate the metabolism. The thyroid gland needs iodine to promote the proper functioning of different body systems. If you have thyroid imbalances, you may experience weight gain among other things.
- They regulate cholesterol.
- They stabilize blood pressure.
- They reduce flatulence and intestinal discomfort from gas movement.
- The supply of vitamin E acts as an antioxidant. It protects tissue from free radicals that make you age more quickly.
- They improve blood and its coagulation. Vitamin K is essential for maintaining good health of the blood system that circulates through your body. It also helps maintain better bone quality in old age.
If you analyze the list of all the properties of kelp algae that we have just shown, you can see that it is very good for health. It touches different areas such as metabolism, cholesterol, blood pressure, and nutrition, providing minerals, amino acids, and vitamins, among others. But let’s look at its composition to see how it really provides a lot of natural substances with active ingredients that are great for health.
Composition of Kelp Algae
There are some differences between choosing to buy Ascophyllum nodosum or Laminaria algae, which are the most common, but in practice, when ingested and processed in the stomach, you may notice little difference. These can vary in small amounts, and even between the same type of algae, if it is collected from one coastal area or another, there may be slight differences.
Let’s give the composition of “Kelp Ascophyllum nodosum” within the values provided by the Norwegian Institute Netalgae, which researches and develops this sector here.
The composition of the kelp algae sample is:
- Sulfur: 2.5-3.5%
- Boron: 40-100 mg/Kg
- Calcium: 1-3%
- Chlorine: 3.1-4.1%
- Cobalt: 1-10 mg/Kg
- Copper: 1-10 mg/Kg
- Phosphorus: 0.1-0.15%
- Iron: 150-1000 mg/Kg
- Manitol: 5-8%
- Magnesium: 0.5-09%
- Manganese: 10-50 mg/Kg
- Molybdenum: 0.3-1 mg/Kg
- Laminaran: 2-5%
- Potassium: 2-3%
- Sodium: 3-4%
- Iodine: 700-1200 mg/Kg
- Zinc: 50-200 mg/Kg
With a moisture content of 12-15% and an ash content of 17-20%. All minerals are essential and beneficial for health. It is necessary to consume them every day and include foods that contain them.
As for other substances with benefits for humans, we can find:
- Alginate acid: 20-26%
- Folic acid: 0.1-0.5 mg/Kg
- Folinic acid: 0.1-0.5 mg/Kg
- Barium: 15-20 mg/Kg
- Biotin (Vitamin H): 0.1-0.4 mg/Kg
- Carotene (Provitamin A): 30-60 mg/Kg
- Fucoidan: 10%
- Niacin (Vitamin B1): 10-30 mg/Kg
- Nickel: 2-5 mg/Kg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): 5-10 mg/Kg
- Thiamine: 1-5 mg/Kg
- Tocopherols (Vitamin E): 150-300 mg/Kg
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): 500-2000 mg/Kg
- Vitamin B12: 0.004 mg/Kg
- Vitamin K: 10 mg/Kg
- Vanadium: 1.5-3 mg/Kg
Of which 8% is crude fiber, 5 to 10% is protein, and ether extract is between 2 and 4%.
All this list of kelp algae composition and active ingredients makes it a very special food to improve the health of many people. On one hand, it provides a cocktail of vitamins that are good for the skin, hair, and soft tissues, and adds minerals that are essential for overall organ function.
Contraindications of Kelp Algae and Side Effects
Despite being very rich for the vast majority of people, there are certain situations or diseases where its consumption is not recommended. These include:
- Hyperthyroidism.
- Allergy to any of its components.
- Heavy metal contamination.
The high iodine content is good for certain times, but prolonged consumption can trigger other unwanted symptoms. It is important for people with thyroid problems to control the consumption of kelp algae. Since they contain iodine, they alter the function of metabolism and cases of hyperthyroidism. Whether consumed whole or in algae infusions or tea, it increases the secretion of this hormone. If you’re in this situation, it could worsen your symptoms.
As for heavy metals, both marine fish and algae can be contaminated by spills and absorb toxins. To avoid this, it’s important to buy high-quality kelp algae that provides information on its variety and collection areas on the labeling.
For other people, it can be a very potent food or dietary supplement suitable for certain moments and stages of life. But as with anything, it is always important to consume it in moderation and follow basic nutrition guidelines.
Differences with Chlorella Algae
Although they have many similarities, such as living in the sea and providing many nutrients to the diet, vitamins, and minerals, there are some effects that distinguish them. This makes it possible to use kelp or chlorella at different times depending on the benefits you want from edible algae.
For example, chlorella algae can produce flatulence, while kelp reduces it. Also, the former contains much more chlorophyll, so its effect on oxygenating the blood and regulating cholesterol is greater. In contrast, the algae in this article contain alginate, which can be very beneficial for those moments when you have stomach difficulties. It also has benefits for improving blood quality.
Both are very good, so it might be a good idea to alternate their consumption and not always take one of them excessively.
Buying Quality Kelp Algae
Fortunately, there are different brands that offer a high-quality and guaranteed product. They pass all the controls set by the European Union, and you can take them with complete peace of mind. These can be purchased at herbal stores and herb shops.
HHello, I’ve been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and I’ve been recommended foods rich in iodine, in addition to a pill in the morning (Euthyrox 25 mcg, although I’ve been told to take half). When researching iodine-rich foods, the one that provides the most is the Kelp algae. However, when reading your page, I see that in the contraindications and side effects section, it says that because it’s rich in iodine, it may affect metabolism in general. My question is whether it would be advisable to consume it, and in what daily or weekly dose (along with the medication I’ve been given). Thank you.
Sorry, I correct the previous comment. What I’ve been diagnosed with is hypothyroidism, not hyperthyroidism.
This type of algae contains a lot of iodine, and iodine is directly related to the thyroid, which in turn is linked to metabolism. That’s why it’s said that it can “affect” or alter metabolism. If you’ve been advised to take iodine, the kelp algae is ideal for this purpose.
Thank you!
Is this algae good for eliminating radiation acquired from frequent X-rays and for removing daily radiation exposure?
Hello Tuti, radiation is a very complex topic and doesn’t have a simple solution, although all iodine-rich foods help prevent the effects it can have on the body. In fact, there are iodine pills used for this purpose. Kelp algae contains good amounts of iodine, so it could work well, although it’s best to avoid getting too many X-rays. There’s a limit, except in necessary cases. You may also be interested in spirulina algae.
I’ve had about 11 X-rays in my life.
Don’t worry. It’s more about whether they are taken in sequence rather than the total number. But doctors do take that into account when they prescribe them. In any case, these types of algae are very good. You can take kelp without problems.
I was recommended kelp algae, but when I read about its effects on the thyroid, I’m unsure. They removed my whole thyroid gland plus some nodules, and now I take 100 mcg of Euthyrox. My question is whether I can take the algae??
Does kelp algae contain arginine?
I’ve had hypothyroidism for 12 years, controlled with thyroxine. Can this type of algae help me? I read an article, but I’m not sure if it’s this algae or spirulina.
Questions about Kelp Algae… What is the recommended daily amount of Kelp Algae? For example, I’ve bought supplements that say they contain 490 mg of Kelp Algae (Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jolis). The package doesn’t specify the source of the algae, but I’ve found online that this type of algae (Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jolis) comes from the North Atlantic, though it wasn’t mentioned on the package. It’s a very popular brand, and they should have been more specific about the source if they were to mention the North Atlantic. For instance, they should have said the northeast coast of Scotland, etc. The moderate dose, to avoid risks, for a person without thyroid issues. It would be very interesting to have a table for safe consumption of Kelp Algae for people with and without thyroid problems. For now, I take one a day for 5 days and rest on the weekend. I plan to do this until I finish the 122 tablets in the bottle. After that, I’ll space it out more. What’s your opinion, Marta? Thank you so much for reading this and for responding. Best regards.
Hello Fernando, you’re absolutely right about the origin of the Kelp algae. The packaging should be better specified. It’s an important detail for many nutritional supplements, as this is a common issue. Thank you for the comment and the information about how you take this algae every day.
Does it help with weight loss?
Where can I buy Kelp capsules?
The fact that they put Niacin (vitamin B1) when it’s actually vitamin B3 takes away all the credibility from the article. Now we don’t know if they made other mistakes too.
I’m interested in all the minerals and their properties. My thyroid is fine, and I don’t want to lose weight, but rather gain some weight, which has been quite difficult for me. What do you recommend? Can I use Kelp? Thank you.
Where can I buy Kelp algae?