What are the health benefits of kelp for women?
Rich in iodine, kelp can help support a woman's thyroid gland, so it can also help boost metabolism and energy, encouraging a healthy weight. Rich in nutrients such as vitamin D, magnesium and calcium, kelp also supports bone health, is beneficial for women going through menopause, and contains antioxidants that help support the natural aging process.
5 health benefits of kelp for women
Kelp is a type of seaweed that thrives in nutrient-rich waters – meaning many of the nutrients it absorbs as it grows can be utilized and converted into health benefits for women when consumed.
Below I discuss in more detail the five major health benefits of kelp for women:
1. It supports the thyroid gland
About one in eight women will be affected by some form of thyroid dysfunction at some point in their lives. Notably, women are also at approximately 10 times higher risk than men.
One of the main benefits of kelp is that it provides support for the thyroid gland, due to its high iodine content. Iodine is a key nutrient for activating thyroid hormones T3 and T4.
See, these thyroid hormones have a bunch of important functions around the body. Adequate thyroid hormone levels have physical and emotional benefits – many of which are especially beneficial during periods like menopause, when endocrine organs like the thyroid are more susceptible to negative effects due to all other reasons. Hormonal changes in the body.
From cognitive function to regulating mood to physical benefits like supporting healthy skin and hair (thinning eyebrows and brain fog are definitely a concern!), kelp can provide a range of benefits due to its positive effects on normal brain function Influence. thyroid.
2. It boosts metabolism and energy levels
Women tend to have a slower metabolism than men, although muscle mass, body size or composition and age can also play a significant role in this.
Due in large part to its mild stimulating effect on the thyroid gland, iodine-rich kelp can help support healthy metabolic processes. Sluggishness or a lack of energy or energy can be signs of a poorly functioning thyroid, especially since the mineral iodine is found primarily in seafood and dairy products; therefore, for many women, especially depending on certain dietary preferences, we may not be able to function at all. Not getting enough.
Interestingly, kelp may have other positive effects on supporting female energy levels. First, kelp is a rich source of iron, which can have direct benefits on our energy, especially since women lose more iron each month than men. Plus, not to mention it’s a lovely plant-based source of iron, which is always a bonus.
Seaweeds, including kelp, are also thought to have some benefits for blood sugar regulation due to their dietary fiber and phytonutrient content. Healthy blood sugar responses are directly related to more stable energy levels, not to mention more stable moods.
3. It supports a healthy weight
Interestingly, kelp is also thought to help promote a healthy weight, which may be attributed to several processes. Hormonal changes in women, such as due to premenstrual syndrome or especially fluctuating estrogen levels during menopause; maintaining a more stable weight can be tricky in some cases. Hormones are thought to affect how we metabolize carbohydrates and sugars, which in turn affects how we store excess nutrients around our bodies.
So, back to kelp—how does it help women in this regard? First, due to its iodine content, this means it supports thyroid function and promotes healthy basal metabolism, which helps support a healthy weight, as mentioned above.
Next is blood sugar regulation. Seaweeds, including kelp, are known to contain a mineral called vanadium, which is thought to play a role in promoting healthy blood sugar regulation and insulin responses. See, when blood sugar regulation goes offline (a common risk factor in periods like menopause), this can put us at risk for prediabetes and the weight gain often associated with this state.
Finally, kelp also contains a unique dietary fiber called alginate. Dietary fiber has a range of health benefits on glucose balance and lipid metabolism—both of which are associated with healthy weight.
4. Good for bone health
Because kelp has high nutritional content, it also has certain benefits for bone health. Bone health is often particularly relevant for women during menopause and postmenopause, as hormonal changes during this time may accelerate the loss of bone mineral density.
Firstly, vitamin D and magnesium are arguably particularly beneficial for bone health because they promote calcium homeostasis – meaning encouraging calcium to get to where it is needed in the body, namely the bones, rather than circulating freely around where we don’t need it. Want it so much!
Although calcium supplementation in large amounts via supplements is generally not necessary since calcium is found in large amounts elsewhere in the typical diet, kelp is actually one of the best dietary sources of calcium relative to weight! Impressive, especially ideal if you follow a more plant-based diet.
Any support for your thyroid is also good for bone health, as thyroid hormones like parathyroid hormone can directly affect bone mineral density. Another great thing about kelp!
5. It scavenges free radicals
Kelp is a great source of several vitamins, including vitamin A, various B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin D and vitamin E, not to mention rich in minerals including zinc, iodine, magnesium, iron, calcium and potassium. Fortunately, many of these nutrients also act as antioxidants in the body, and kelp also contains an additional unique antioxidant called fucoxanthin.
Antioxidants have anti-inflammatory properties and help remove free radicals from the body. While free radicals are typically formed by natural metabolic processes, if they are in excess, they can contribute to a faster aging process and even some disease states over time.
Therefore, a diet that includes adequate amounts of antioxidant-rich foods, including seaweed, is thought to be beneficial in supporting the natural aging process, including those affecting blood vessels, skin, bones and hair.
How to eat kelp
Kelp can be consumed as food in raw or dried form. While kelp is not a typical part of a Western-style diet, kelp supplements are also readily available and can be found in powder, tablet, or capsule form.
Safety
The recommended average daily intake of iodine is 150 micrograms. Therefore, you do not need to take more than this amount from a supplement such as a kelp source unless you have specific guidance from a healthcare professional.
Please note that kelp supplements are generally incompatible with thyroid dysfunction or thyroid medications; you should always consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions.
Additionally, kelp comes from oceans, which have varying levels of pollution. You should always get your kelp from reliable sources that are happy to disclose that it comes from around the world.
