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Iodine and Seaweed

Kelp & Seaweed

Because iodine is in such short supply in the average UK diet, adding a little seaweed is one of the simplest and most natural ways to increase your intake. As a bonus, seaweed is also rich in many other essential minerals and trace elements.

Seaweed has been a staple food in many coastal cultures for centuries. Strangely, despite living on an island surrounded by the sea, we eat very little of it in the UK.

Minerals naturally

Seaweeds naturally absorb minerals from seawater as they grow, concentrating a remarkable range of nutrients. When eaten as part of a balanced diet, they provide iodine and other minerals in a whole-food form, together with the natural compounds that accompany them. Just a small sprinkle over vegetables, soups or salads can add valuable minerals to your meals.

Unlike iodised table salt, seaweed provides iodine without encouraging a higher salt intake, whilst also supplying many other minerals at the same time.

Add a Little Seaweed to Your Diet

A small amount goes a long way. Sprinkle dried kelp, dulse or other seaweeds over your food, or add them to soups, stews and stocks. If you don’t enjoy the taste or can’t easily find seaweed, good-quality kelp or seaweed tablets and capsules are a convenient alternative. Choose products that are carefully tested for purity and contaminants, or certified organic where possible.

Minerals Found in Seaweed

Seaweed provides a wide range of essential minerals, including:

  • Calcium
  • Magnesium
  • Potassium
  • Sodium
  • Phosphorus
  • Sulphur
  • Chloride

Trace Minerals

Seaweed is also one of nature’s richest sources of important trace minerals, including:

  • Iodine – the best natural food source of iodine, essential for healthy thyroid function and hormone production.
  • Iron – supports the formation of healthy red blood cells and oxygen transport.
  • Zinc – contributes to normal immune function, wound healing and enzyme activity.
  • Manganese – supports normal metabolism and antioxidant enzymes.
  • Copper – helps with energy production, connective tissue and iron metabolism.
  • Selenium – works with iodine to support healthy thyroid function and helps protect cells from oxidative stress.

Seaweed also contains small amounts of many other naturally occurring trace elements found in seawater, contributing to its reputation as one of the most mineral-rich foods available.