Sea Kelp Powder

Sea kelp powder is produced from kelp plants (Ascophyllum nodosum, Macrocystis pyrifera, Laminaria digitata and related species) grown in the ocean. The kelp is harvested, dried, and ground into a powder.

Health Benefits

Sea kelp is a natural source of iodine and other trace minerals; its supplementation may increase iodine status and thyroid stimulating hormone levels in women with insufficient iodine intake.1 Sea Kelp may contain antioxidant activity to decrease lipid oxidation and have anti-inflammatory properties.2 Sea kelp fortified bread has shown satiety effects and reduced caloric intake.3 Brown seaweed supplementation may also reduce insulin response and increase insulin sensitivity in men and women, suggesting that it may have an anti-diabetic effect.4

References

  1. Combet E, Ma ZF, Cousins F, Thompson B, Lean ME. Low-level seaweed supplementation improves iodine status in iodine-insufficient women. Br J Nutr. 2014 Sep 14;112(5):753-61. doi: 10.1017/S0007114514001573. Epub 2014 Jul 9. PubMed PMID: 25006699.
  2. Dutot M, Fagon R, Hemon M, Rat P. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-senescence activities of a phlorotannin-rich natural extract from brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2012 Aug;167(8):2234-40.doi: 10.1007/s12010-012-9761-1. Epub 2012 Jun 13. PubMed PMID: 22692848.
  3. Hall AC, Fairclough AC, Mahadevan K, Paxman JR. Ascophyllum nodosum enriched bread reduces subsequent energy intake with no effect on post-prandial glucose and cholesterol in healthy, overweight males. A pilot study. Appetite. 2012 Feb;58(1):379-86. doi: 10.1016/ appet.2011.11.002. Epub 2011 Nov 7. PubMed PMID: 22100188.
  4. Paradis ME, Couture P, Lamarche B. A randomised crossover placebo-controlled trial investigating the effect of brown seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus) on postchallenge plasma glucose and insulin levels in men and women. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2011 Dec;36(6):913-9. doi: 10.1139/h11-115. Epub 2011 Nov 16. PubMed PMID: 22087795.