Fresh Kelp 800mcg - 50ml

Natural Factors Fresh Kelp (Iodine) 800mcg

Kelp is an excellent source of 70 vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, proteins, and enzymes, earning it a status as a green “superfood”. The sea water it grows in contains an abundance of trace elements and these are absorbed by the kelp and converted to an organic form that can be absorbed by the human digestive tract.

Kelp is especially valued for its iodine content, which is important for normal thyroid gland function and regulation of metabolism and body weight. Kelp is a rich source of potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D, E, and K. One study has shown that vegans consuming seaweeds had serum vitamin B12 levels twice as high as those who did not eat seaweed. Kelp also contains high levels of lignans, which have been linked to supporting optimal cell growth.

Research shows that kelp supplements are effectively absorbed by the body. A double-blind clinical trial tested kelp supplements on 36 healthy people with normal thyroid function. After taking kelp for four weeks there was an increase in the blood level of TSH, the signalling hormone that triggers the thyroid gland to absorb available iodine for conversion into thyroid hormones. There was no response in the placebo group.

Natural Factors Fresh Kelp Extract is an effective way to meet your body’s daily requirement of iodine and essential trace minerals. It supports thyroid gland function, hormonal health, and fetal and infant development, and lowers the risk for compromised immune function.

What is Kelp?
Kelp (Fucus vesiculosis) is a sea vegetable that is a concentrated source of important minerals, particularly iodine, potassium, calcium and magnesium as well as many trace minerals. Kelp is a good source of iodine, essential for proper thyroid function that helps to regulate the body's metabolism. By boosting thyroid function, kelp may contribute to thermogenesis (the body's fat burning ability).

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 for example from the sun or due to cell therapy. 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.

What Is Low Thyroid?
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.

Nutritional support for an under active thyroid gland can include among many other supplements, thyroid glandular extract. Thyroid glandular boosts the activity of your own thyroid gland, optimizing its production T3 and T4. Ensuring that your are getting enough of important nutrients like iodine and tyrosine is crucial for natural thyroid support. Please see the table below for extensive information about which supplements can be used as part of a thyroid support regimen.