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Kelp
DESCRIPTION
Kelp is an edible seaweed and an excellent source of Iodine .
It also contains Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin D , Vitamin E
and Vitamin K . Often used as a substitute for salt, kelp is
widely used in Japan for its health giving properties.
SUGGESTED INTAKE
5-7.5 g daily for health
maintenance.
SUPPLEMENTAL USES
Breast Cancer:
Research suggests that high consumption of kelp may be responsible
for lower breast cancer rates. It may therefore help prevent
breast cancer. Studies using lab animals have shown an anti-tumour
effect. (1,2)
Heart Health:
Kelp consumption can be good for the heart. Kelp has cardiotonic
action as well as a hypotensive property (3,4). Consumption
is also correlated with lower rates of heart disease. Several
components of kelp, including laminine, are responsible for
this effect.
Thyroid Gland Health:
Kelp can help keep the thyroid gland healthy (5).
Immune System:
Studies have shown that kelp contains antibacterial properties
(6). It displays activity against many pathogenic microorganisms.
It is effective against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria,
including Staph and Strep, brucella, bacillus, Klebsiella,
proteus, E. coli, salmonella, etc. This antibiotic property
may be due to brominated phenolic compounds contained in kelp.
Nutrients:
In addition to being an excellent source of Iodine , kelp contains
an abundance of essential nutrients, including protein, Essential
Fatty Acids, carbohydrates, fibre, trace Elementss, Sodium
and Potassium salts, alginic acid, Iron, Copper , Magnesium,
Calcium, Potassium , barium, Boron, Chromium , lithium, nickel,
silicon, silver, strontium, titanium, Vanadium and Zinc. These
nutrients boost overall health and strengthen the Immune System.
SAFETY
Kelp has no known toxicity.
Some species are known for arsenic content (7). Although arsenic
is present, it is in a biologically unavailable form.
INTERACTIONS AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS
There are no known drug
interactions or contra-indications for kelp.
REFERENCES
1. Hirayama, T. Epidemiology
of breast cancer with special reference to the role of diet.
Preventive Medicine, 7, 173-195, 1978.
2. Suzuki, Y., I. Yamamoto & I. Umezawa. Antitumor effect
of seaweed: partial purification and the antitumor effect
of polysaccharides from laminaria angustata kjellman var.
longissma miyabe. Chemotherapy (Tokyo), 28(2), 165-170, 1980.
3. Searl, P. B., T. R. Norton & B. K. B. Lum. Study of
a cardiotonic fraction from an extract of the seaweed, undaria
pinnatifida. Proceedings of the Western Pharmacology Society,
24, 63-65, 1981.
4. Takemoto, T., K. Daigo & N. Takagi. Studies on the
hypotensive constituents of marin algae. I. A new basic amino
acid 'laminine' and other basic constituents isolated from
laminaria angustata. Yakugaku Zasshi, 84(12), 1176-1179, 1964.
5. Konno-N et al: Association between dietary Iodine intake
and prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in the coastal
regions of Japan. J-Clin-Endocrinol-Metab. 1994 Feb; 78(2):
393-7.
6. Mautner, H., G. Gardner & R. Pratt. Antibiotic activity
of seaweed extracts. Journal of the American Pharmaceutical
Association, 42(5), 294-296, 1953.
7. Shimokawa, K., N. Horibe, M. Teramachi & H. Mori. Arsenic
content in edible seaweeds on the market. Shokuhin Eiseigaku
Zasshi, 12(4), 330-332, 1971.
Yamamoto,T. & M. Ishibashi.
The content of trace Elementss in seaweeds. Proceedings of
the Seventh International Seaweed Symposium. Wiley & Sons.
New York, 1972. pp. 511-514.
Johnson, H. Composition
of edible seaweeds. Proceedings of the Seventh International
Seaweed Symposium. Wiley & Sons. NY, 1972. pp. 429-435.
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