Here’s what you need to know about kelp, its health benefits, and how to take it as a supplement. Kelp plays an important role in the underwater ecosystem. Kelp forests, which grow primarily on the Pacific Coast, provide food and shelter for thousands of fish and marine mammal species. Kelp is also one of the fastest-growing plants on earth and can grow as much as 300 feet in a single year, meaning it can feed and shelter a lot of fish. Here are all the reasons you’ll want to add more seaweed to your diet: “The recommended daily intake3 of iodine is 150 mcg for healthy adults, but if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, then your needs are higher (220 mcg and 290 mcg),” registered dietitian and nutritionist Jess Cording, M.S., R.D., CDN, says. “While iodine deficiency is pretty rare in the U.S., if you don’t regularly consume iodized salt or are on a vegan diet, then you need to be more mindful to work iodine-rich foods into your regular diet. Seaweed is a great example of a plant-based food source.” However, you should also be mindful that too much iodine can be a problem. The tolerable upper intake level5 for iodine is 1,100 mcg for adults, and consuming more than this can cause many of the same problems as consuming too little iodine6, including goiters, thyroid gland inflammation, and thyroid disorders. Because it’s such a potent source of iodine, kelp supplements are not recommended for individuals with hyperthyroidism. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of calcium is 1,000 mg per day7 for most adults. Raw kelp8 contains 168 mg per 100 g serving or 372 mg per 100 gram serving of dried kelp9. Calcium is important for blood flow, muscle function, and bone development.* Studies suggest kelp could also help with the maintenance of healthy blood glucose10 levels.* “If cozying up to a kelp noodle salad sounds too intimidating, then try adding powdered kelp into soups, salads, grain dishes, or even smoothies and green juices,” Cording suggests. “For a crunchy snack, enjoy it tossed with popcorn, sea salt, and a little ghee or coconut oil.” Finding kelp-enhanced skin care products isn’t difficult. Many skin treatments and cosmetics already contain algae, both because of its specific skin benefits and because, on a purely practical production level, algae is a great industrial thickener. So, basically, if you get a kelp (or other algae) beauty product, it’s multi-tasking, helping your skin look brighter and younger and literally keeping your face cream all creamy and perfect.
