Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera)

Giant Kelp forests stretch deep into the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Pacific Ocean. This plant used to play an important role in the culture of fishing communities where it was used for fuel and food.

Kelp is rich in iodine, an important component of thyroid hormones, which plays a major role in regulating the body’s metabolism. Increasing the iodine available to the body will increase the level of activity in the thyroid gland, thus raising the body’s general metabolism.

Fatigue and “Spring Fever” can be eliminated with the help of kelp. Since kelp is a seaweed, some may wonder what this plant, from the cool ocean, has to do with the feeling of laziness or listlessness experienced by many people at the onset of spring.

Well, this ocean plant can help to replenish the body’s deficiency of minerals and vitamins which causes this unwelcome and bothersome feeling.

Because it is rich in minerals, it can also be used to help reduce obesity and treat thyroid problems.  It is recommended for slow metabolism, spring fatigue, to help support the proper functioning of the thyroid gland and to prevent iodine deficiency.

Kelp also contains substances known as alginates, which have the unique property of being able to absorb onto the surfaces of heavy metals, radioactive substances and molecules such as cholesterol; preventing their assimilation into the body.