Kelp - 250 V-Caps

What is Kelp?

Kelp is an edible seaweed that is rich in nutrients. It contains all of the B vitamins, plus macro minerals and trace minerals. Kelp contains iodine, a component of thyroid hormone, the hormone responsible for settling the body's metabolic rate. Some cases of hypothyroidism can be attributed to lack of iodine, and causes a swollen thyroid (goiter). Hypothyroid individuals experience many symptoms due to a lack of thyroid hormone including fatigue, weight gain and frequent colds and flus.

Kelp's mineral content also supports the brain, nerves, vessels, hair, skin and nails. It can protect the body from damage due to radiation from the sun. Natural health practitioners, for a variety of conditions including hypothyroidism, hair loss, obesity, ulcers, constipation, radiation sickness and poor mineral status, recommend kelp.

Kelp can be eaten raw but it is usually found dried or powdered for use as a salt substitute. A liquid form can be added to drinking water. As a supplement kelp is found in tablets. Some commercial "green food" smoothies and "energy" drinks may contain kelp. Green food supplements are combinations of medicinal foods and herbs, and may contain kelp.

How Does Iodine Effect Thyroid Health?

iodine is an essential trace mineral necessary for overall health. Your thyroid gland needs this mineral to manufacture optimum levels of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothryonine (T3). These hormones based on iodine and the amino acid tyrosine regulate your body's overall metabolism and also play a regulating role for other hormones produced by the body. When there is not enough iodine present, your thyroid (located in the throat area) is unable to produce enough thyroid hormone causing weight gain, low energy, poor concentration (brain fog), depression, blood sugar fluctuations and other symptoms.

Hypothyroid (Under Active)

Low thyroid has become a very common health concern with very real symptoms that affect both a person's physical as well as emotional health. Many people may have it yet do not know; in fact, it can go undiagnosed for many years because the "normal" level of thyroid hormones can vary from person to person.Many natural health care practitioners prefer the reliability of the basal temperature test (done in the morning) because it can identify people with borderline low thyroid. Low thyroid causes the body to be slightly colder than a healthy person. While only the difference of at the most two degrees, it can have broad ranging effects on many different functions of the body resulting in many different symptoms.

Firstly, in a hypothyroid state the body's metabolic rate is decreased. This is why most people with low thyroid experience weight gain. Secondly, lower levels of thyroid hormones can affect the production of neurotransmitters and how well they are used in the brain and other parts of the body - this can lead to common low thyroid symptoms like depression, anxiety, poor memory, and insomnia. In this respect, it can also affect digestion because enzymes, just like neurotransmitters, do not function as they should when the body temperature is lowered - this can result in poor digestion of food, which can be manifested as gas, upset stomach, heartburn or constipation. The hormone insulin (responsible for regulating the level of sugar in the blood) is equally affected lower temperatures in the body and explains why many with low thyroid often experience fluctuations in blood sugar like yo-yoing effect of hypoglycemia. Some of these may need to be treated along with the low thyroid.

Low thyroid can also: lower immune system function, cause dry skin, lower blood pressure and raise cholesterol, promote water retention, cause menstrual irregularities in women, cause muscle aches and pain, and create allergies. Hypothyroid sufferers also report fatigue, an increased need for sleep, decreased initiative, lack of concentration, poor memory, bowel changes, muscle and joint aches, and asthma. Because of the broad range of effects that low thyroid has on over all health, it is important that it be treated. Left untreated long term hypothyroidism can cause serious concerns that can affect your quality of life.