Bladderwrack 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Bladderwrack 100 g ($14.99), 50 g ($9.99), 25 g ($6.99)

Benefits:
Nutrients and Compounds
For centuries, many cultures have consumed seaweed as part of their regular diet due to its impressive nutrient profile.

Bladderwrack is a type of seaweed that’s rich in vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, iodine, magnesium, potassium, sodium, zinc, and vitamins A and C (1, 2). It’s also high in phytochemicals. These health-promoting plant compounds, which include phlorotannins and fucoxanthin, may help lower oxidative stress — an imbalance between free radical and antioxidant levels in your body(3, 4).

Bladderwrack is high in fiber, which can support a healthy gut. In particular, it’s high in alginic acid and fucoidans, which have both been shown to have health-promoting properties (1, 2, 5).

Bladderwrack contains high levels of iodine, a trace element that supports thyroid health by producing the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones help regulate your metabolism and support proper growth and neurological development (6, 7, 8). Iodine deficiency can lead to low T3 and T4 levels and may ultimately cause health complications, such as a goiter and hypothyroidism — a condition characterized by symptoms like weight gain, fatigue, dry skin, and increased sensitivity to the cold (9, 10).

Though it’s common in developing countries, hypothyroidism from iodine deficiency is rare in the United States and other industrialized nations. Rather, hypothyroidism is mostly related to an autoimmune disease known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (10, 11). Despite being a good dietary source of iodine — a mineral that can support thyroid health — taking bladderwrack supplements or eating large amounts of it may provide excessive amounts of iodine (12).

Most healthy individuals can safely tolerate excess iodine. However, those with thyroid disorders, such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, should exert caution, as it can lead to worsened symptoms, especially if iodine deficiency was not the root cause of the disorder (10, 11, 12). To be safe, it’s best to speak with your healthcare provider before taking bladderwrack supplements.

Provides Iodine  Iodine is a vital nutrient for thyroid health and many other body functions. It protects against certain cancers, supports brain function, and is critical for healthy growth and development. Bladderwrack and other seaweeds are iodine-rich foods, so consuming them is an easy way to maintain healthy levels of this important nutrient.

One of the most well-known benefits of iodine is its ability to support thyroid health. The thyroid needs enough iodine to make important hormones like thyroxine. These hormones regulate critical biochemical reactions in the body, like synthesizing amino acids and allowing for proper nervous system development. Iodine deficiency can cause thyroid disorders, leading to symptoms like weight and mood fluctuations, sluggish metabolism, and heart complications.

Thyroid   People living near the ocean in areas where bladderwrack grows have lower rates of hypothyroidism. Some speculate this is because their diets contain higher levels of iodine from fish, shellfish, and seaweeds, such as bladderwrack. The thyroid gland needs iodine to produce regulating hormones that can keep the body functioning normally. Insufficiency of iodine can lead to hypothyroidism. Though human studies have not confirmed this, hypothyroidism due to insufficient intake of iodine may improve with bladderwrack supplementation.

Antioxidants  Bladderwrack contains powerful antioxidants, including beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. Beta-carotene is a plant pigment that’s converted to vitamin A in the body. It’s a powerful antioxidant that plays an important role in maintaining healthy vision, boosting skin health and supporting neurological function.

Zeaxanthin and lutein are antioxidants that are also found in leafy greens, like kale. They help maintain healthy vision and eye health by protecting healthy cells and working to prevent retinal damage. Research indicates that these antioxidants have protective effects against eye disease and are linked to better cognitive performance. The antioxidants found in seaweeds are also used topically to promote healthy aging and boost skin health.

Inflammation  Bladderwrack is rich in antioxidants, such as phlorotannins, fucoxanthin, alginic acid, fucoidans, and vitamins A and C.

Phlorotannins and fucoxanthin possess antioxidant activities that scavenge free radicals, which are harmful compounds that can damage cells and lead to chronic diseases and premature aging.

Bladderwrack seaweed contains powerful nutrients that have anti-inflammatory effects, including fucoidans, a class of sulfated polysaccharides. These compounds have been studied for their antioxidant, anticancer, immune-modulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. Researchers suggest that fucoidan works to alleviate inflammatory conditions by significantly reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, the brown algae is also used as an alternative treatment for arthritis, and it’s applied topically to ease insect bites and burns.

Bladderwrack is rich in antioxidants, such as phlorotannins, fucoxanthin, alginic acid, fucoidans, and vitamins A and C (4, 13, 14). In particular, phlorotannins and fucoxanthin are known for their high antioxidant activity and ability to scavenge free radicals. Free radicals are harmful compounds that can damage cells and lead to chronic disease and premature aging (15, 16, 17, 18). Some test-tube and rat studies have shown that brown algae like bladderwrack offer promising anti-inflammatory and may help reduce tumor growth, blood sugar levels, and the risk of heart disease (19, 20, 21, 22, 23).

Additionally, one large study in 40,707 men and 45,406 women found a 12% decreased risk of heart disease with the daily consumption of seaweed, which contains compounds that are similar to those in bladderwrack (24). Beyond this study and another one showing minor improvements in blood sugar control, few human trials exist. Though, in theory, bladderwrack may provide anti-inflammatory benefits, more research is needed (25).

Digestion  Studies highlight that seaweeds are rich in dietary fiber, which contributes to their health benefits. Brown algae acts as a mucilage when ingested, which means that it creates a gel-like substance that relieves constipation, bloating, cramping and digestive disorders. Because of its fiber content, bladderwrack may also increase feelings of satiety, making you feel full faster and potentially contributing to weight loss.

Constipation And Diarrhea
Bladderwrack contains alginic acid, a kind of dietary fiber that helps regulate bowel movements and relieves constipation. While fiber from dietary or herbal sources is often useful for constipation, it may alleviate diarrhea.

Stomach Problems
Bladderwrack is high in mucilage, which may be advantageous for people with gastritis because its slippery nature soothes irritated mucus membranes of the digestive tract. It may help with other stomach and digestive issues, such as heartburn, high acid levels, and indigestion.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
The alginic acid in bladderwrack in combination with magnesium carbonate treats heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by creating a barrier between the sensitive stomach lining and irritants, such as stomach acids and lowering inflammation.

Weight Loss  Bladderwrack contains L-fucose compounds that are believed to have anti-obesity effects. One animal study found that L-fucose decreased body weight gain, fat accumulation and triglyceride elevation when fed to mice on a high-fat diet. Researchers concluded that the compound may be a novel strategy to treat obesity and fatty liver induced by a high-fat diet.

Heart  There is some evidence that bladderwrack helps support cardiovascular health. One study published in Oxford Academic found that fucoidans in bladderwrack displayed strong antithrombin and anticoagulant activity in platelet tests. Research also suggests that bladderwrack can increase HDL cholesterol levels. HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, cholesterol is known as the “good cholesterol” because it actually picks up excess cholesterol in the bloodstream and takes it back to the liver, where it can be broken down. By increasing HDL cholesterol, brown algae can reduce your risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Cancer  A case study involving three women found that bladderwrack seaweed may be an important dietary component that’s responsible for the reduced risk of estrogen-related cancers that’s seen in Japanese populations.

Researchers found significant anti-estrogenic and progestagenic effects following kelp administration. They concluded that dietary bladderwrack may prolong the length of the menstrual cycle and exert anti-estrogenic effects in pre-menopausal women. This, however, was a case report. To fully understand the potential of bladderwrack for breast cancer and other estrogen-related diseases, well-controlled clinical trials are needed.

Wound Healing  Early studies report that calcium alginate, a substance found in bladderwrack, may help wounds heal faster.

Vision  Bladderwrack is rich in beta-carotene (plant-based vitamin A) and contains the nutrients fucoxanthin and fucoidan. Fucoxanthin absorbs blue-green to yellow-green colors of visible light which helps protect vision.

Whilst studies are still preliminary, researchers suggest that fucoidan could be effective against age-related macular degeneration because it reduces extraneous blood vessel growth where cells have not been receiving enough oxygen.

Like fucoxanthin, fucoidan helps resist premature cell aging and death.

Menstrual Cycle Regulation  Dietary bladderwrack may help increase the duration of the menstrual cycle in premenopausal women and reduce the risk of diseases related to estrogen excess or deficiency.

Skin  Early research suggests that fucoidan promotes collagen synthesis in the skin, which may help improve the look of cellulite, increase skin healing, and delay premature skin aging. Bladderwrack’s high antioxidant content can lessen collagen and elastin breakdown.

Bladderwrack has been used as a topical treatment for skin issues, such as cellulite, skin aging, and burns. Early research has shown that the antioxidants in bladderwrack, namely fucoidan, promote collagen synthesis in the skin, which may help improve the look of cellulite, increase skin healing, and delay premature skin aging.

In the first phase of a two-phase study, applying bladderwrack extract to skin samples led to a 228% increase in collagen production, compared with no improvements in the control group (26). In the second phase, a mixture of bladderwrack extract and other algae extracts was tested on human upper leg skin for 12 weeks. Compared with the placebo product, the algae mixture led to a significant decrease in cellulite appearance and fat thickness (26).  Other older studies using topical gels containing 1% bladderwrack extract were associated with an increase in collagen production (27, 28).

Also, bladderwrack’s high antioxidant content has been linked to less collagen and elastin breakdown when applied to human skin samples. Preventing the breakdown of collagen and elastin is important for the appearance of youthful skin (29, 30). Long-term human studies are needed.

Botanical Name: Fucus vesiculosus
English: Bladderwrack
Also, known as: Rockwood, Cutweed, black tany, Seawrack, sea oak, Kelpware, seaweed, Bladder Fucus, black tang, rockweed, cut weed, dyers fucus, red fucus, and rock wrack.
Habitat: North Sea, Atlantic and Pacific Ocean
Origin: Canada
Harvested: Wild
Parts Used: Plant

General Information:
Bladder wrack is a green seaweed that floats on the surface of seawater and is approximately 3 feet long. Sea vegetables have been perhaps the first sign of life on our planet. Sea vegetables provide an abundant source of all the minerals contained in sea water and a high concentration of iodine, which is necessary for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland to produce its hormone, thyroxin. Seaweeds are consumed daily by millions of people in Asia and parts of Europe. It was the original source of iodine.

 

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

How Much To Use
It is common that 10g of a fresh herb = 1g when dehydrated.
For bladderwrack use 1 tsp (3 g), as much as 2 times/day to avoid consuming too much iodine and other active ingredients in bladderwrack.