Evidence supporting the use of: Kelp (various)
For the health condition: Hypothyroid

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Kelp, a type of seaweed, has a long history of traditional use for supporting thyroid health, particularly in the context of hypothyroidism. This usage is primarily due to kelp’s high iodine content, as iodine is an essential nutrient required for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. In regions where iodine deficiency was common, consuming iodine-rich foods like kelp helped prevent and alleviate goiter and hypothyroidism caused by lack of dietary iodine. Historical records from coastal Asian populations, particularly in Japan and Korea, show the regular inclusion of seaweed in diets as a preventive measure against thyroid enlargement and dysfunction.

However, while iodine supplementation can correct hypothyroidism due to iodine deficiency, most cases of hypothyroidism in developed countries are now due to autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s disease), not iodine deficiency. There is limited scientific evidence supporting kelp as a treatment for hypothyroidism unrelated to iodine deficiency, and excessive iodine intake from kelp can potentially worsen thyroid dysfunction or trigger thyroid autoimmunity in susceptible individuals. Therefore, while kelp's traditional use is rooted in its iodine content, its relevance is largely limited to settings of iodine deficiency, and caution is advised in other contexts.

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