Kelp flakes | Macrocystis pyrifera | New Zealand

Giant Kelp also known as Rimurimu is a seaweed, this one sourced from New Zealand waters. Seaweed is an important part of our diet, increasing the amount of Iodine we get through our diet. Kelps also contain polysaccharides which gives it its characteristic ‘slime’ texture making it a fine pre-biotic, feeding our gut bacteria. Kelp has an interesting property in that it has an anti-obesic property which may partly be from a thyroid modulating action due to its Iodine and Selenium content, but there is much more to it.

Giant Kelp contains carotenoids which have antioxidant properties. There is current interest in the carotenoid fucoxanthin. (2) Nutrigenomic studies reveal that fucoxanthin induces uncoupling protein 1 [UCP1] in abdominal white adipose tissue [WAT], leading to the oxidation of fatty acids and heat production in WAT. Fucoxanthin improves insulin resistance and decreases blood glucose levels through the regulation of cytokine secretions from WAT. Several mechanisms seem to support its anti-obesic activity. Animal studies also suggest it may impair the enzymes which break down our glucose to make it available for absorption, adding to its overall anti-diabetic effect. A human trial using 2.4 mg fucoxanthin per day resulted in an average 5kg weight loss compared with placebo after 16 weeks. The authors also reported increases in resting energy expenditure, decreases in body and liver fat content and improvements in the plasma lipid profile. Fibres in seaweeds also help to excrete cholesterol and lipids helping to reduce secondary absorption through the gut, an important part of cholesterol excretion.

An exciting herb to have as a daily tonic!

1. Fisher, C, 2009 Materia Medica of Western Herbs.
2. Anti-Obesity Activity of the Marine Carotenoid Fucoxanthin.  Mar Drugs. 2015 Apr; 13(4): 2196–2214. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4413207/