If you follow HealthTok, you may have noticed the buzz around sea moss, sea kelp, or seaweed, which are the latest “superfoods” to catch the attention of health enthusiasts. Historically, seaweed has been used in indigenous medicine for a variety of ailments. It is now available as capsules, powder, and tea.
There teeth The science behind bladderwrack’s more exaggerated health claims. However, given the risks associated with consuming unregulated algae-based products, it is generally a good idea to improve your diet. Here we will explain it in detail. Interested in more health research? Don’t forget to check out Silicon Valley’s tips for living forever and whether you should apply snail slime to your face (and you probably should).
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what teeth Cracked bladder?
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Photo: Brook Science Photo Library/Getty Images
“It is a brown algae of the Bladderwallach genus. Fucus “It’s a plant that grows in the intertidal zone of temperate regions,” says Loretta Roberson, an associate scientist at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Marine Biology. “It can be found here in the United States, Europe, from Ireland to the United Kingdom, and most places at the same latitude.” The name comes from the air-filled sac, or “bladder,” in the seaweed’s thallus. . These small bladders help the plant float and stay close to sunlight for photosynthesis.
The history of medicinal use of bladderwrack goes back centuries. “There was actually a huge seaweed industry[in North America]where people would collect big wagonloads of seaweed and use it for different purposes,” Roberson says. Indigenous peoples used it as a poultice and tea, and by the early 1800s it had gained a reputation as a treatment for goiter (swelling caused by thyroid problems). By the 1860s, it was promoted as a metabolic booster and a treatment for obesity. Bladderwrack is now available in a variety of forms, from dried and powdered to capsule supplements and teas.
Why take cystitis?
Bladderwrack’s supplements make bold claims such as weight loss, glowing skin, and thyroid support. The most common reasons for cystitis include:
- Helps reduce symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Bladderwrack contains alginate, which, when combined with magnesium carbonate, may reduce symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. This combination forms a barrier that protects the stomach lining from irritants, which may reduce inflammation and heartburn.
- It can relieve constipation and diarrhea. Alginate also promotes smooth digestion.
- Helps relieve inflammation in the digestive tract. Mucus (a gel-like substance) in the bladder wall helps people with gastritis and indigestion by coating the inflamed mucous membranes along the gastrointestinal tract.
What does the science show?
Bethany Marie Dorfler, a gastroenterologist at Northwestern Medicine, said while the touted health benefits are related to bladderwrack’s antioxidant properties, she evaluated its efficacy and safety in humans. He says there is little research.
Like many seaweeds, bladderwrack is rich in antioxidants such as phenolics, phlorotannins, fucoxanthin, alginic acid, fucoidan, and small amounts of vitamins A and C. Doerfler points out that alginic acid, found in commercially available products such as Gaviscon Advance, “has been shown to be very effective. Compounds with proven efficacy.
“Unlike bladderwrack supplements, which are largely unregulated and untested, these derivatives have been studied and are considered safe,” Dorfler explains. “People often jump from identifying healthy ingredients to assuming health outcomes, but[bladderwrack supplements]are not supported by research.”
Are Bladderwrack supplements safe?
Although these types of supplements are often labeled as “natural,” they do come with risks. Algae-based products can accumulate heavy metals such as arsenic and mercury from contaminated water, which can cause serious health problems over time, including nerve damage and kidney dysfunction, even at low concentrations. may cause.
Another concern is the high iodine content in the bladder rack, which can interfere with thyroid function. Some countries have regulations in place due to high iodine levels, which can affect thyroid health, Roberson said. There are no clear guidelines in the United States about how much iodine is safe to consume, and the risks associated with excess iodine remain misunderstood. “We don’t know about thresholds, doses, or potential interactions with other drugs because studies haven’t been done,” Doerfler says.
