How Seaweed Supports Regular Thyroid Functioning

When most people think of seaweed, they think of sushi or plants floating around in the ocean. Although this may be accurate, there is much more to seaweed than its existence in our oceans. Seaweed is rich in iodine- an important mineral needed for our thyroid to function optimally. Seaweed is a superfood and is one of the most nutritionally dense sea vegetables. Seaweed contains anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, aiding in the reduction of disease.

So, we now know that seaweed has many benefits for the human body, but the main reason I decided to talk about seaweed is to highlight how beneficial it is for the proper functioning of the thyroid.

You may be wondering what your thyroid is responsible for and how seaweed supports it. Stick with me, and all of these questions will be answered.

The thyroid gland is responsible for the secretion of hormones (triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4, and Calcitonin) that support regulating the body's metabolism, growth, and development of the human body. The Thyroid gland also supports the body in turning food into energy and affects every cell of your body. Essentially, the thyroid gland is responsible for maintaining the regular function of major organs in our body. If it is overactive or underactive, your body will start showing you various symptoms.

Consequently, the thyroid gland releases the right amount of these hormones into the bloodstream to ensure the body's functioning in a regulated way. This butterfly-shaped organ sits under the voice box, overlaps the trachea, and moves position when we swallow. When a person has an overactive thyroid, too many hormones are released into the body. This results in:

• increased anxiety

• mood swings

• twitching or trembling

• difficulty in sleeping

• sensitivity to heat

• irregular heart rate

  An underactive thyroid then means that the amount of hormones being released into the body is not at the level it should be, and results in:

  • weight gain

  • constipation

  • tiredness

  • depression

  • slow movements

  • muscle aches

  How Does Seaweed Support the Proper Functioning of Thyroid?

  As mentioned above, iodine supports our thyroid functioning correctly. Unfortunately, this mineral cannot be produced by our bodies; consequently, we need to gain it from our diet to compensate for that. Iodine is absorbed through our bloodstream and sent to the thyroid, which then uses the mineral to produce the hormones our body needs to function correctly.

  Iodine can be prescribed to people who need that extra support for their thyroid; however, it needs to be taken with other minerals for your thyroid to reap the benefits. Unfortunately, this is not the case when iodine is being prescribed. When iodine is taken on its own, the body does not absorb it properly, so it must be taken with other trace minerals to do its job effectively. Cue seaweed!

  Seaweed has the best of both worlds encapsulated within its unique design, allowing the iodine to be absorbed effectively. This is why there has been an increase in the popularity of taking seaweed to help with various health issues.

  Seaweed is not a new ingredient in the diet of people all over the world and has been a source of food for many centuries and is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Seaweed is also high in protein and fibre. Seaweed has been collected as a food source in Alaska for thousands of years. And was sold as a toasted snack in New England pubs in the early 1900s. Our forefathers knew what they were doing when sourcing seaweed. Seaweed fills the dietary gaps that we lack in our diet and enhances the well-being of the body's mucus membranes in the gut, lungs, and reproductive systems. This results from the slimy texture of seaweed and how the body digests it.

Watch this video Healthy Thyroid - Healthy You.

It may just change your life!

Cognition and Problem-solving Skills:

Iodine can be found in various sources, such as salt, but is absorbed quickly and excreted again within hours. However, iodine in seaweed is absorbed more slowly and excreted over the following few days. When the body absorbs and excretes iodine effectively, it supports the normal functioning of cognition and problem-solving skills.

Body Temperature:

Iodine and other trace minerals found in seaweed also supports the thyroid gland in being able to regulate body temperature. If a person struggles with hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland), they will usually feel warmer in their body temperature. Alternatively, if someone is struggling with hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland), they would feel colder in their body temperature.

Controls Metabolism:

A healthy gut is so important, and not many people understand how gut issues can affect the body. If the gut is unhappy, problems such as constipation and slow metabolism start to occur. The gut microbiota plays a considerable part in the digestion of foods and in the regulation of host metabolic functions. The absorption of iodine allows the body to digest food a lot easier. Thus, enabling the gut to function normally with the help of a properly functioning thyroid.

Physical and Cognitive Growth:

Iodine supports the proper development and cognition of a person. With a low level of iodine in your diet, you may feel like you struggle to learn, concentrate, and remember things. It reduces brain development and affects physical development negatively.

Iodine deficiencies are commonly found in Western diets due to the increased production of processed foods and the lack of iodine in the soil in which our crops grow. This is why it is essential to ensure that we make up for the lack of iodine in our diets and a great way to do this is by incorporating seaweed into our diets. There are many different types of seaweed found within our oceans, which will depend on which part of the world seaweed is harvested. Consequently, looking after our oceans is extremely important.

Also, we must ensure that we know where the seaweed comes from before consuming it. Not all seaweed maintains all of its nutrients when exported to various parts of the world due to the need to keep it fresh. This may result in preservatives being used, resulting in the seaweed depleting its nutrient density.

Watch my interview with Daneen Morgan one of the founders of

Ocean & Green New Zealand.

So, we have looked at how seaweed supports the proper functioning of our thyroid gland through the adequate absorption and slow excretion of iodine in our body. This is done with the support of various trace minerals found within the make-up of seaweed. As a result, our thyroid gland can release the right amount of thyroid hormones into our body which supports the proper functioning of cognition and problem-solving skills, body temperature, metabolism, regular heart functioning, and physical and cognitive growth. It is safe to say that the small butterfly-like organ in our throat is a significant part of our physiology, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that it functions adequately.

Seaweed intake can also be highly beneficial for those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, as they may not be able to consume the right amount of iodine because iodine can also be found in fish, shellfish, beef liver, eggs, chicken, and dairy.

More Benefits of consuming Seaweed:

Seaweed is also a great source of calcium, iron, and potassium. Calcium is needed for the maintenance and development of strong bones, but it is also required to function the heart, muscles, and nerves properly. Iron is needed to ensure that the body grows and develops appropriately. Potassium is necessary for the proper functioning of all cells in the body, including regular heartbeat, muscles, and nerves, and is excellent for synthesizing protein and metabolizing carbohydrates. Furthermore, iodine improves energy levels and ensures a happy gut.

Basically, incorporating seaweed into your diet is a win-win situation for all. For most of us, our daily lifestyle can sometimes be exceptionally chaotic and we can so quickly begin to neglect our body and forget what it needs to be healthy. Although the thyroid gland is small, it is an endocrine gland responsible for most of the body's regular functioning. However, when we incorporate seaweed into our diet we will be able to fuel our bodies with the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals needed to sustain a busy lifestyle.

Our ancestors knew what was needed to maintain a balanced lifestyle, and they knew where to find these essential vitamins and minerals. The earth is filled with everything necessary to maintain a healthy and rewarding lifestyle and it is our responsibility is to look after it.

So, take some time to consider adding seaweed to your diet. You will not regret it, and your future self will thank your present self for doing so.

 User, G. (2021, May 11). How seaweed and kelp supplements affect your thyroid. BOOST Thyroid: Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroid App. https://www.boostthyroid.com/blog/seaweed

 Raman, M. R. S. (2017, November 11). 10 Signs and Symptoms of Iodine Deficiency. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/iodine-deficiency-symptoms

 N.H. (2022, April 5). Office of Dietary Supplements - Iron. National Institute of Health. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-Consumer

 Harvard Health. (2019, July 18). The importance of potassium. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-importance-of-potassium#

 Vernocchi, P., del Chierico, F., & Putignani, L. (2020). Gut Microbiota Metabolism and Interaction with Food Components. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(10), 3688. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21103688

 M.C.S. (2022a, February 26). Calcium and calcium supplements: Achieving the right balance. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/calcium-supplements