Kelp vs. FucoThin.....

[schoonma]

Well, I used FucoThin for a while, went through 2 bottles and I can honestly say it helped me shed a few pounds and helped me maintain even when my diet was less than perfect. I had to stop buying it because finances were really tight. So, I decided to take Joan's advice and get some Kelp. I started on it yesterday and it will be interesting to see if this does the same for me as the FucoThin did. I will give it a month and see if I notice any changes.

Anyone else take Kelp or still using the FucoThin?

Edited to say...the Kelp is only a little over $6.00 a bottle for 120 pills and it says to take twice a day. FucoThin costs about $27.00 and you have to take it three times a day so if this works it will be a GREAT savings for me:D

Thanks! (keeping fingers crossed)
Mary Ann

[peppy lepew]

Mary Ann - I tried both also. The kelp really gave me a lot of energy but made my face break out something awful (from the iodine) so I had to stop using it. The fucothin kept my appetite away but bothered my stomach so I stopped taking it. I didn't really lose any weight with either of them but I would take the kelp because of how much energy it gave me.

[Nikki Dawn]

Mary Ann I have to ask how many pills of the kelp are you suppose to be taking everyday? I know you said twice a day. Keep us posted I am curious to know your results. I hope it does something good.

Does fuco thin have kelp in it.

Peppy very interesting about your face breaking out. I have had issues with mine and hope it is not that![V]

[schoonma]

The kelp does say to take twice a day and the FucoThin was three times a day.

My forehead did break out some with the FucoThin but I wear bangs so it wasn't too noticeable, plus they were little (pimples)

I will keep everyone posted on my results.

Thanks!
Mary Ann

[JaneB]

Mary Ann,
How's the kelp going? I started taking it again recently. Notice I feel better and I sweat way more when Tapping.


T-tapp Trainer, New Hampshire
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
Certified Massage Therapist, Licensed NH & ME
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[Nikki Dawn]

Jane so funny you brought this up. I just got through telling my dh I can notice a difference using kelp. I stopped for a little while when I ran out and thought something is different. Added the kelp back in and I will definetly keep it up. Funny how you can't put your finger on the difference just that it is there. Energy I guess. I haven't lost weight though.

[MoTappin]

Reviving this to see if anyone has kelp stories. ;) Mary Ann? Anyone?

[HF]

I was on thyroid years ago and learned that synthetic thyroid medicine makes your own thyroid slack off. So I weaned over to kelp. I don't know remember I stopped taking it eventually, but I do know the iodine in the kelp feeds your thyroid. (Maybe this is where you got your energy, Peppy?)

Hmm, looks like I need to look into kelp again . . . .

[its_me518]

So if I "THINK" I have thyroid issues, and thus cannot lose weight.. will taking kelp help with both issues??

Is there any side effects or dangers to taking kelp on a regular basis??

Very interesting... :thinkingabout:

[Blissful]

I may have to check out the kelp too, could always use more energy. I took fucothin for a while and did notice a little more energy but no weight loss but this was also during a time when my hormones were waaaayyy out of whack plus like many have said, it costs alot to use it on a long term basis!

[MoTappin]

I read an article yesterday on Natural News I believe, that said kelp is great because it will help balance the thyroid. Whether you have too much or too little thyroid function, it will help balance things out for normal function. Last time I had mine tested it was in normal range, but I've heard that those tests aren't always dependable. And if it does help with energy, it might be worth taking. I'm sure a lot of people take it for reasons other than thyroid.

[HF]

Since you mention it, Meredith, I'd never heard of any other reason for taking kelp except for its iodine content, which in turn is good for the thyroid. So I went online to learn more!

It turns out it's also good for lowering blood sugar and prevention of uptake of heavy metals. Who knew?:thinkingabout: So I am glad you brought it up!:D

The following comes from Flora Health of Canada:

Herb & Supplement Encyclopedia:
http://www.florahealth.com/NR/rdonlyres/DAD88AC8-BCC6-11D5-9E5B-00508B8B9968/3552/Kelp1.jpg

Kelp

Forms:Dried and powdered kelp; aqueous extract of kelp.

Traditional Usage:- Anti-inflammatory
- Antioxidant
- Blood Purifier
- Bone and Joint Problems
- Cellular Regeneration
- Cleansing
- Detoxifying
- Digestive Disorders
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Goiter
- Iodine Deficiency
- Laxative
- Lethargy
- Mineral Deficiencies
- Vascular Deficiencies
- Vitamin Deficiencies
- Weight loss


Overview:Kelp, Laminaria digitata Lmx. [Fam. Laminariaceae], is a large, leafy brown edible seaweed rich in vitamins and minerals that grows along colder coastlines. Kelp is an excellent source of iodine, a major component of thyroxine and triiodothyronine, hormones that affect weight gain and cellular metabolic rates. One to two milligrams of iodine per week are required to prevent goiter. Based on epidemiological studies, thyroid disease is practically unknown in people who regularly eat kelp. Based on human studies, 4mg of iodine daily completely resolves cyclical breast lumps and cysts, usually within only two months. The alginates in kelp (complex polysaccharides), like other soluble fibers, have a soothing and cleansing effect on the digestive tract and are known to prevent the absorption of toxic metals like mercury, cadmium, plutonium and cesium. Studies have shown that alginate supplements can reduce strontium-90 absorption from the intestinal tract by as much as 83%. The U.S. Atomic Energy Commission advocates 2 tablespoons of alginate supplement per day to prevent strontium-90 absorption and related diseases. Kelp alginates are also hydrasorbent laxatives, compounds that swell to 20 times their original volume by absorbing water, which is much greater than other types of bulk laxatives such as psyllium and bran. Kelp alginates are effective in treating habitual constipation and gastric bloating because they swell in intestinal juices rather than water or gastric juices and are non-irritating. Several studies also document a direct, stimulatory effect of seaweed on the immune system. Kelp has been shown to inhibit 95% of abnormal cell growths, and cause regressions in 6 out of 9 animals tested. In-vitro studies of hot water extract of Laminaria on abnormally growing human cells showed more than 50% apoptosis. Kelp also has antiviral activity against influenza virus due to a very active inhibitor of viral and bacterial neuraminidase.


Active Ingredients:Polysaccharides: alginic acid (algin) as the major component; fucoidan and laminarin (sulphated polysaccharide esters). Minerals: iodine; calcium; potassium; magnesium; phosphorus; iron and silicon. Total iodine varies between 0.1 to 0.8%, based on dry weight. Raw Laminaria kelp contains: Water 81.6; Protein 1.7%; Total lipid (fat) 0.56%; Carbohydrate, by difference 9.6%; Fiber, total dietary 1.3%; Ash 6.61%. Minerals (per 100g): Calcium, 168mg; Iron, 2.8mg; Magnesium, 121mg; Phosphorus, 42mg; Potassium, 89mg; Sodium, 233mg; Zinc, 1.23mg; Copper, 0.13mg; Manganese, 0.2mg; Selenium, 0.7mcg. Vitamins: Vitamin C, 3.0mg; Thiamin 0.05mg; Riboflavin 0.15 mg; Niacin 0.47mg; Pantothenic acid 0.64mg; Vitamin B-6 0.002; Folate, 180mcg; Vitamin A, 116IU; Vitamin A, RE 12mg; Vitamin E 0.87mg (ate). Lipids: Fatty acids, total saturated 0.25%; Fatty acids, total monounsaturated 0.098%; Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated 0.047%. Kelp also contains several essential and non-essential amino acids, including 0.27% Glutamic acid. (Information taken from The National Agriculture Library's USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference at http://www.nal.usda.gov).


Suggested Amount:The dosage of kelp is 5-10 grams or equivalent in infusion, taken three times daily.


Drug Interactions:The iodine content in kelp may cause hyper- or hypothyroidism, if taken in excessive amounts, and may interfere with existing treatment for abnormal thyroid function.

Contraindications:The iodine content in kelp may cause hyper- or hypothyroidism, if taken in excessive amounts, and may interfere with existing treatment for abnormal thyroid function. In view of this, ingestion of kelp preparations by children is inadvisable. The iodine content in kelp has been associated with acne eruptions and may aggravate pre-existing acne. Elevated urinary arsenic concentrations have also been traced to the ingestion of kelp tablets. As such, kelp used as a food and/or for a medicinal product should not exceed arsenic levels above 3.0 ppm and lead levels above 10.0 ppm based on the internationally recognized Food Chemicals Codex. Prolonged ingestion of kelp in large quantities may also reduce gastrointestinal iron absorption and affect absorption of sodium and potassium and cause diarrhea.


Side Effects:Hyperthyroidism has been associated with the excessive ingestion of kelp and is attributable to the iodine content in the plant. Typical symptoms of hyperthyroidism include: weight loss, sweating, fatigue, heart palpitations and frequent soft stools. The iodine content in kelp has been associated with acne eruptions and may aggravate pre-existing acne. Elevated urinary arsenic concentrations have also been traced to the ingestion of kelp tablets. As such, kelp used as a food and/or for a medicinal product should not exceed arsenic levels above 3.0 ppm and lead levels above 10.0 ppm based on the internationally recognized Food Chemicals Codex. Prolonged ingestion of kelp in large quantities may also reduce gastrointestinal iron absorption and affect absorption of sodium and potassium and cause diarrhea.


References:Chida K, and Yamamoto I. 1987. Antitumor activity of a crude fucoidan fraction prepared from the roots of kelp (Laminaria species). Kitasato Arch Exp Med 60 (1-2): 33-39.
Gong YF, Huang ZJ, Qiang MY, Lan FX, Bai GA, Mao YX, Ma XP, and Zhang FG. 1991. Suppression of radioactive strontium absorption by sodium alginate in animals and human subjects. Biomed Environ Sci 4 (3): 273-282.
Newall CA, Anderson LA, and Phillipson JD. 1996. Herbal Medicines. A Guide for Health Care Professionals. The Pharmaceutical Press, London, pp. 124-126.
Sutton A, Harrison GE, Carr TEF, and Barltrop D. 1971. Reduction in the absorption of dietary strontium in children by an alginate derivative. Int J Radiat Biol 19 (1): 79-85.
Yamamoto I, Nagumo T, Yagi K, Tominaga H, and Aoki M. 1974. Antitumor effects of seaweeds. 1. Antitumor effects of extracts from sargassum and laminaria. Jpn J Exp Med 44 (6): 543-546.

Ghent WR, Eskin BA, Low D.A. , and Lucius PH. 1993. Iodine replacement in fibrocystic disease of the breast. Can J Surg 36 (5):453-460.

Dedyna, K. (1997 September). Iodine: Bosom Buddy. Victoria Times Colonist, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.


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Peppy and Mary Ann, did you notice, "The iodine content in kelp has been associated with acne eruptions and may aggravate pre-existing acne"? That explains that.

Some people use powdered kelp or dulse to season their food since it's salty and contributes iodine. (I haven't tried this, but I imagine it works best for seasoning seafood, ha!)