Kelp

Kelp can be any of several brown-colored seaweed species called laminaria. Kelp is a vegetable found only in the sea and possesses high concentrations of useful minerals including iodine, potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron. Laminaria may be useful in maintaining thyroid hormones, which are required for maintaining normal metabolism in all cells of the body.

Dosage and Administration

With the introduction of iodised salt, sources of iodine such as kelp have become much less popular. One report suggests that the average kelp-based supplement tablet contains 1,000 mcg of iodine (the adult RDA in the United States is 150 mcg per day). Intakes above 2,000 mcg per day should be regarded as excessive or potentially harmful.