Kelp

Laminaria, Algue Brune, Brown Algae, Brown Seaweed, Hai Dai, Kombu, Kun Bu, Laminaire, Laminaire Digitée, Laminaire Japonaise, Laminaria digitata, Laminaria japonica, Laminariae stipites, Limu, Makombu Thallus, Sea Girdles, Seagirdle Thallus, Thallus Laminariae. Edible Seaweed, also known as Bull Kelp or Giant Kelp.
Charles Darwin once described the Kelp beds off the coast of South America as “giant aquatic forests”. Coastal and island populations have used Kelp for food, crafting and medicine for generations.
See also :

• Kombu
• Brown Algae

Special Precautions of kelp

• Kelp contains a large amount of iodine, which can cause side effects. Although some iodine is essential for thyroid function, ingesting too much of it can negatively affect thyroid function, causing hypo- or hyper-thyroidism. Many thyroid specialists suggest that adults consume about 150 micrograms of iodine daily, although that is well below the level that could cause side effects. Table salt is iodized, so you should balance your kelp consumption against your salt intake.
• Kelp might also contain arsenic, and consuming large amounts of kelp supplements might lead to arsenic poisoning.
• See side effects Kombu

Health Benefits and uses of Kelp are

The popularity of Kelp is growing as both a gourmet food and as a possible cancer fighting substance.

• Vitamins and Minerals : Kelp contains many vitamins, especially B vitamins, which are essential for cellular metabolism and providing your body with energy. It also contains vitamins C and E, which are both strong antioxidants and promote blood vessel health. Minerals, such as calcium, boron and magnesium are plentiful in kelp; they are necessary for strong bones and normal muscle function.
• Sodium Alginate : Kelp, like other seaweeds, is rich in sodium alginate, which is an element effective at protecting the body from radiation and removing it. According to a 1964 study published in the “Canadian Medical Association Journal,” sodium alginate derived from kelp reduced radioactive strontium absorption in the intestines by 50 to 80 percent. Specifically, sodium alginate allows calcium to be absorbed through the intestinal wall while binding most of the strontium, which is excreted from the body. The alginates are known to prevent the absorption of toxic metals like mercury, cadmium, plutonium and cesium.
• Iodine : Seaweed is also a rich source of iodine, which is a crucial nutrient for the thyroid. A deficiency in iodine leads to goiter, or swelling of the thyroid, and metabolism disruption. Iodine is the main element used to synthesize the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine. The thyroid gland absorbs iodide from the bloodstream to make its hormones, although the process is regulated by the pituitary gland. Consuming iodine from plants like kelp also helps reduce the effects of radiation exposure.
• Chlorophyll is used by plants to convert sunlight into energy, and it contains many nutrients, including antioxidants and amino acids. Chlorophyll is also similar in composition to human blood, so consumption of it can stimulate red blood cell production, which can increase oxygenation around the body. Kelp contains plentiful amounts of chlorophyll.
• Lower LDL Cholesterol : A study published in an 2010 issue of the "Pharmaceutical Biology" shows that kelp, also known as Laminaria japonica, has the ability to lower cholesterol levels. Not only were LDL or bad cholesterol levels reduced, but kelp also lowered triglycerides and raised HDL or good cholesterol levels. Adding kelp powder to assist with lowering cholesterol should first be discussed with your doctor.
• Lower Breast Cancer Risk : Comparing the diet of Japanese women to that of American women, one factor that stands out is the regular consumption of sea vegetables, including kelp, in the Japanese diet. This may be a factor in the lower incidence of breast cancer among Japanese women, according to the American Cancer Society. Laboratory studies have shown that substances found in several varieties of algae, kelp being one of them, both inhibited the growth of cancer cells and initiated the death of cancer cells in rats. Studies using kelp supplements with human subjects are still needed for conclusive evidence.