A Comparison of the Nutritive values and health benefits of Kelp

by Margie Frayne - Herbs for Birds

  • Kelps are also known as seaweeds or sea vegetables
  • Seaweed / kelp has been eaten as a vegetable by many different races for the past 8,000 years
  • Kelps are neither plants nor animals but belong to the algae family and can be found in different colours - brown, very dark brown-almost black, red, & green. They are the most highly developed members of the algae group. There are more than 700 different seaweeds
  • Eisenia arborea (Arame) brown; Laminaria spp (Kelp) light brown to dark green; Ecklonia maxima (Kelp) green; Laminaria japonica (Kombu) almost black in colour; Fucus vesiculosus (Bladderwrack) greenish-black
  • Kelps grow in reasonably cold (6-14 ?C ) sea water which is rich in nutrients
  • Each plant attaches itself to the sea bed with a stalk. Some kelps can grow ½ metre a day and can reach 30 meters in length. Collectively these types form thick kelp 'forests' of swaying leaves on the edge of the ocean. They are usually harvested at low tide, but can also be collected off the beach when strong tides or stormy seas break them and wash them ashore

    Health Benefits

  • Kelp offers the most complete range of natural minerals of any food source on earth, containing all the important minerals. These come from the ocean - and are the same minerals found in the blood
  • Kelp contains the following major minerals, namely, calcium, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulphur, zinc
  • Kelp is the richest food source of iodine
  • Iodine is necessary for the proper functioning of the thyroid and the parathyroid gland which controls the body's metabolism, and therefore one's over or under activity. Kelp can speed up underactivity, but should be used under guidance to slow down overactivity. It is best to take kelp as a supplement once or twice a week, which will prevent the over absorption of iodine
  • The calcium in kelp is possibly the easiest form of calcium that the body can absorb
  • Kelp contains the highest concentration of natural calcium found in any food source - 10 x more than in milk
  • Kelp contains micro grams of ultra-trace minerals barium, boron, bromine, cobalt, copper, fluorine, germanium, molybdenum, nickel, selenium
  • Kelp provides Vitamins A, B's, C, D, E, K, & folic acid, pantothenate and niacin.
  • Kelp contains essential fatty acids and Omega 3
  • 100gm kelp provides 140 kilojoules of energy
  • 100gm of kelp provides 7.8gm of plant protein which is made up of at least 17 different amino acids (please see note about proteins content of plant foods below)
  • Seaweeds contain plant compounds called lignans which have cancer-protective properties, and plant compounds called fucans which assist the body to control inflammation
  • Kelp does not lose its potency when it is dried
  • Kelp is an excellent brain food - for brain tissue, surrounding membranes, sensory nerves & the spinal cord
  • Kelp supplies all the nutrients for bone and blood development and maintenance
  • Kelp is an inexpensive natural mineral and nutritional supplement

    Safety concerns

    One has to ascertain that the Kelp growing in the sea is not contaminated by heavy metals, or that there are no chemically polluted river mouths nearby that flow into that part of the sea.

    The kelp that is supplied by Meridian Herbs 'Herbs for Birds' is harvested in from the west coast of South Africa where the sea is considered to be unpolluted.

    Meridian Herbs
    PO Box 2643, Brits, 0250 E 239 Long street, Mamogalieskraal, Brits
    Cell: 082 375 0918 Fax: 086 653 2159 margie@meridianherbs.co.za
    Copyright © 2014 Meridian Herbs, All rights reserved.
    Margie Frayne

    Notice : 'Herbs for Birds' herbal products are stocked by:
    'The Parrot Inn' in Old Johannesburg Road, Centurion - 083-449-1601
    'Kollonade Pet Shop' at the Kollonade Mall, Montana - 012-548-7551
    'Feeds & Feeders' in Pretoria North - 012-542-3204
    'Essential Herbal Products', Durban - 083-409-8309

    This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. It is intended to be educational and thought provoking. Neither Meridian Herbs, or any of its officers, director, employees, or representatives will be liable for any direct or indirect, consequential or incidental damages arising from any information contained herein. The limitation of liability is comprehensive and applies to damage of any kind.