Seaweed supplements are becoming more and more popular in the health industry. It is a type of edible algae that has been used for centuries to make food, medicines, and other products. It’s rich in essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, and iodine, making it very nutritious. And the best part about these healthy seaweeds is they’re all 100% natural so there are no side effects!
Not just that, seaweed is also known to have anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and even anti-inflammatory properties. Now you see why more and more people are choosing to take seaweed supplements.
In this article, I go over the top 5 seaweed supplements I could find that you can use as a supplement.
Let’s get it!
1. PotentSea Sea Vegetables
The PotentSea’s Sea Vegetables seaweed supplement is a high-quality product. The red, brown, and green seaweeds in the proprietary blend are sustainably hand-harvested and sun-dried to retain all the natural raw food benefits of it. Each capsule contains 80 trace minerals, amino acids, organic iodine, and more for the health benefits of real seaweed.
It also naturally increases energy levels, promotes healthier skin, hair, nails, and supports a healthy digestive system.
Sea vegetables are the only natural, vegetarian source of iodine, something we all need but can’t make for ourselves. Since our bodies rely on iodine to produce the thyroid hormone and support myriad metabolic processes, this makes seaweed supplements like PotentSea a great immune health promoter as well.
2. NusaPure Brown Seaweed Extract
The NusaPure Brown Seaweed Extract is a great seaweed supplement option for people who are trying to burn fat. Not only does the brown seaweed provide fiber, but it also contains a natural ingredient called fucoxanthin that may help boost metabolism. The NusaPure Brown Seaweed Extract is a popular supplement and also has a good amount of positive customer feedback on Amazon as well.
Nusapure is reasonably priced at $28 for one bottle (120 capsules) of the extract, which is stated to have 10 times more Fucoxanthin content than other brands. Some users even claimed that the supplements helped them control their appetite, which resulted in fewer snack cravings and better appetite management throughout the day. Others, however, complained about the taste of the supplement, saying that it has a significant fishy aftertaste.
A lot of people who tried the NusaPure Seaweed Extract claimed that they noticed an improvement in their blood sugar levels. They also said that as a result, they had fewer cravings for sweets or other sugary snacks throughout the day.
This is probably because seaweeds are natural diuretics, meaning that they can help relieve fluid retention and thus improve one’s health. Some even commented on how well it worked for weight management, especially when combined with diet and exercise!
3. Teraputics Premium Klamath Blue Green Algae
Teraputics Premium Klamath Blue Green Algae supplement is a fast and effective weight-loss agent with minimal side effects. Most users reported better moods and increased energy, which is great for the concentration needed to increase exercise levels in order to lose weight effectively fast.
This product contains a large percentage of protein, as well as chlorophyll, vitamins A, C, E, B-12, and folate.
One thing users should watch out for when using this supplement is that due to its efficacy it can cause detoxification symptoms such as headaches or nausea after use. So make sure to drink lots of water when using this supplement.
4. Nature’s Way Kelp
Nature’s Way Kelp is a good seaweed supplement. It is a reasonably priced seaweed vitamin that focuses on just one type of seaweed to deliver optimal iodine support. Throughout history, Kelp has been used as both food and a source of iodine.
It is a great supplement because it delivers all the benefits of seaweed without any extra fillers that can interfere with the absorption of other nutrients. The reason people like kelp supplements is that the iodine content in kelp is easily absorbed by the body along with all the additional minerals that kelp provides.
Nature’s Way guarantees 400mcg of iodine with every serving of Kelp. This makes Nature’s Way Kelp a good value for money supplement in terms of its dose because other competing brands only guarantee 100-150 mcg per serving. This means you are getting more iodine for your dollar.
5. Seatrition Daily Ocean Blend
Seatrition Daily Ocean Blend is a potent combination of 12 different varieties of seaweed, including some of the richest sources of iodine in nature.
Seatrition’s seaweed formula is said to be effective for a vast number of health conditions, including weight loss.
More than just a seaweed product, one serving provides the entire daily requirement for seven essential vitamins and six amino acids.
Out of all the different types of seaweed to take, Seatrition has included the strongest and most potent varieties such as dulse (red algae), bladderwrack (kelp), Irish moss (red algae), and laver (porphyria). Due to its high iodine content, taking Seatrition is said to improve thyroid function and reduce symptoms associated with an underactive thyroid gland; this includes a low body temperature and fatigue. It may also help people suffering from goiters or those who have trouble regulating their metabolism.
Depending on your individual needs, you can either take one capsule per day or two capsules with each meal.
6. Nature’s Answer Marine Based Cal-Mag
The Nature’s Answer Marine Based Cal-Mag supplement is another great seaweed-based supplement, however, its main purpose is to help maintain healthy cholesterol and blood pressure. If you are looking for something more general to take on a daily basis then this may be the best seaweed supplement for you.
It contains aquamin, a complete natural mineral complex, and really is rich in calcium, magnesium, and 70 trace minerals including zinc iron, and selenium. This supplement is made from red seaweed, which is native to just a few places in the world.
It is a great option for vegetarians as it provides a difficult-to-find vegetable-based source of calcium. Calcium and magnesium are two essential minerals your body needs every day to help keep your bones strong and healthy. Zinc helps boost immunity while maintaining normal blood pressure. This supplement should be taken three times daily with meals, or as directed by your health care professional.
Make Sure You Are Drinking More Than Enough Water
When you’re taking diuretic supplements like seaweed, make sure you are drinking enough water because this will help to prevent dehydration. Dehydration will have you feeling very sick, but too much water can also have the same effect.
It is easy to get dehydrated when you are taking seaweed supplements because it causes your kidneys to excrete more sodium than normal. Higher sodium levels then take water from your blood and this leads to a drop in your blood volume. This causes you to urinate more water.
Dehydration can also cause dizziness, cause your body to overheat, and lead to confusion. If you feel dizzy it is best to take a break from taking the seaweed supplement and drink plenty of water.
It is not uncommon for people to ask about the side effects of seaweed or any other diuretic supplements because they are afraid that they will lose too much sodium when their kidneys begin excreting higher amounts of it in order to remove excess water.
The easiest way to make sure you are getting enough water every day is to drink one glass of water for every 35 pounds of body weight that you have on a daily basis. So if you weigh 180 pounds then the equation will be 1 liter per 35 pounds x 2 = 4 liters per day (3 quarts).
A good rule of thumb is to take a look at your pee after you have been drinking the recommended amount of water and if it flows clear then you are getting enough water.
Are seaweed supplements good for you?
Yes. Seaweed supplements are actually great for you because they contain many minerals and vitamins including iodine, iron, manganese, calcium, and magnesium. Adding seaweed supplements to your diet is a great way to get an extra boost of nutrients when you can’t get them from food or if you’re trying to lose weight.
You should know that there are some side effects associated with taking too much seaweed in supplement form because the plant contains several different compounds (vitamins, minerals) that can interact negatively with each other in certain circumstances. But if you follow the guidance of your healthcare provider or nutritionist on how much to take, there’s no reason not to enjoy taking this supplement as part of your normal daily routine.
Seaweed is often used for detoxification purposes – it helps remove toxins from the body, but you don’t want to overdo it. Adding too much seaweed to your diet can cause problems like diarrhea (which could lead to dehydration), nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Seaweed is also considered a diuretic – which means that if you are taking this supplement in high doses for an extended period of time, you run the risk of becoming dehydrated as well.
Seaweed supplements should only be used on occasion by men or postmenopausal women because they contain plant estrogens and could boost other estrogenic compounds found naturally in the body. Taking too much seaweed long-term could increase your risk of developing cervical cancer or thyroid problems later on down the line.
So make sure you are keeping those benefits and side effects in mind when you decide on whether or not to use a seaweed supplement. It’s certainly good for you and has loads of health benefits, but only if you keep the dosage low so that side effects aren’t a factor.
Is kelp better than seaweed?
Kelp does have some advantages over seaweed but it also comes with some of its own disadvantages as well.
The biggest drawback of consuming sea kelp is the iodine content. Because the iodine levels you find in kelp supplements can vary by a huge margin, it is possible that you might end up consuming WAY more iodine than you should. And that would end up causing thyroid dysfunction which you need to avoid at all costs.
If you are on a strict diet and need to restrict your iodine intake, then seaweed is better for you because it has very low levels of this mineral.
However, if you are looking to include kelp in your nutrition plan, then it can be helpful as well because it provides some minerals such as calcium which are not easy to find by eating other foods.
While kelp supplements may be beneficial for some people, they cannot replace the nutrients found in fresh seaweeds nor would they be able to provide the same additional nutritional benefits that these foods provide.
Is it healthy to eat seaweed every day?
No. It is healthy to eat seaweed every other day but no more than that.
Typical seaweed is high in iodine, which can lead to the thyroid getting overloaded if you eat it too much.
If you’re eating enough seaweed to get too much iodine for the thyroid gland, then chances are you’re also not eating a well-balanced diet of other foods and could be at risk for nutrient deficiencies.
I’d recommend 2-3 servings of seaweed or a seaweed/kelp supplement a week maximum. More than that and there’s a risk of your thyroid dragging down your entire endocrine system since it needs specific nutrients from healthy foods like cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower) and sea plants (seaweeds).
What happens if you eat too much seaweed?
If you eat too much seaweed your thyroid gland gets overstimulated and will cause goiter-like symptoms to temporarily appear on your neck… experts recommend eating no more than 2 grams of dried seaweed in a day.
Some people are also allergic to the iodine content in seaweed. (Those with any type of allergy to seafood should NOT take seaweed) …When it’s eaten excessively or when someone is already iodine deficient, the body will take away some of its own iodine stores from the thyroid area….which leads to hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid gland– which causes weight gain and many other problems.
So make sure you are only eating seaweed in moderation so you can get all the benefits of this wonderful supplement without having to deal with any side effects.
Is seaweed good for high blood pressure?
According to research that was done on animals, because seaweed is rich in dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins. Based on this study, it can be assumed that people who consume seaweed may see their blood pressure decrease.