Kelp, a sea vegetable, has been acknowledged as a detoxifier, a balanced supplement, and a healing plant. Kelp is a good source of many vitamins and minerals, but is most noted for its assimilable iodine content. Iodine is transported directly to the thyroid gland where it is converted into the hormone Thyroxine, which helps to regulate basal metabolism and therefore, is of use to slimmers to avoid the plateau effect. It contains over 30 minerals and vitamins.

The electrolytic magnetic action of kelp releases excess body fluids from congested cells and dissolves fatty wastes through the skin, replacing them with depleted minerals, particularly potassium and iodine. As iodine boosts thyroid activity, food fuels are used before they can turn into fatty deposits.

With all of this information, it would seem that anyone with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) would leap at the chance to use kelp. However, many nutritionists are unanimous in their belief that the components of kelp tablets have no basic effect on the health of the user. Most of the components are found in a normal diet and show no further beneficial effect on nutrition. In fact, if too much iodine (kelp) is taken, the effect on the user may be deleterious. Conceivably, the kelp portion of the tablet could furnish an excessive amount of iodine beyond what is normally needed or permissible. Lastly, research showed that kelp has no effect in treating obesity, which is caused mainly by an excessive intake of food and a lack of exercise.

If a user has an underactive thyroid and/or is obese, consult your healthcare professional for an evaluation and diet and exercise management that includes beneficial supplements to a healthy diet.