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Bladderwrack | | |
Bladderwrack is a type of brown algae that is rich in iodine. Due to its
iodine content, bladderwrack has long been used in the treatment of
hypothyroidism and other thyroid-related conditions, although it seems
that high profile human trials have yet to confirm this. While iodine's
influence on the thyroid is a certainty, the varying iodine content of
bladderwrack means standardization and carefully controlled trials are
necessary. What has been confirmed has been within the context of test
tube and animal studies and the results are extremely promising. In
addition to iodine, powerful components within bladderwrack have shown
exciting results that include anti-viral properties. The prominent Dr.
Andrew Weil reported recently that scientists at the National Cancer
Institute are now investigating the anti-cancer properties of seaweeds.
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| Common Name | | | Bladderwrack
| | | Botanical Latin Name / Classification | | | Fucus vesiculosis
| | | Parts Used | | | Dried mass or root, stem, and leaves.
| | | Other Names | | | Algae, Seaweed, Fucus, Sea-Wrack, Kelp-Ware, Black-Tang, Quercus Marina,
Cutweed, Bladder Focus, Fucus (Varech) Vesiculeux, Blasentang, Seetang,
Meeriche.
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| | | Description | | | Bladderwrack is a type of brown algae (seaweed) that grows on the northern
Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States and on the northern
Atlantic coast and Baltic coast of Europe. Bladderwrack is often over a
yard long. It is olive green when fresh and black/brown when dry. It is
found on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and in the North Sea and the
western Baltic. The main stem of bladderwrack, known as the thallus, is
used medicinally. The thallus has tough, air-filled pods or bladders to
help the algae float-thus the name bladderwrack. Although bladderwrack is
sometimes called kelp, that name is not specific to this species and
should be avoided.
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| | | Traditional Internal Uses | | | Discovered in 1812, this seaweed was the original source of iodine, and
was used extensively to treat goiter, a swelling of the thyroid gland
related to insufficient iodine. In the 1860s, it was claimed that
Bladderwrack, as a thyroid stimulant, could counter obesity by increasing
metabolic rate, and, since then, it has been featured in numerous
weight-loss remedies.
While some sources claim that Bladderwrack
was not used, medicinally, until the latter half of the 19th century,
other sources claim otherwise. Some believe that in 1750, a Doctor Russell
was successful in dispersing scrofulous tumours by rubbing in the mucus of
the vesicles of Bladderwrack, afterwards washing the parts with sea-water.
The extracted charcoal was also helpful in treatment of goiters. The
iodine from other sources led to the neglect of kelp products.
In
1862, Dr. Duchesne-Duparc found while experimenting in cases of chronic
psoriasis, that weight was reduced without injuring health, and used the
drug with success for the latter purpose. Dr. Godfroy experimented on
himself, losing five and a quarter pounds in a week after taking before
three meals a day an extract made into pills containing 25 grams (3.75
grains). The bromine and iodine stimulated the absorbent glands to
increased activity, without causing an atrophied wasting of the glands.
Later experiments of Hunt and Seidell indicated that the result is brought
about by stimulation of the thyroid gland.
Bladderwrack's
mucilaginous thallus has long been used to soothe irritated and inflamed
tissues in the body.1 It was also historically used as a bulk-forming
laxative.2 People living near oceans or seas have a historically low rate
of hypothyroidism, due, in part, to ingestion of iodine-rich food, such as
seafood and seaweeds like bladderwrack. It has also been used to counter
obesity, possibly due to its reputation for stimulating the thyroid gland.
Clinical research in this area has failed to confirm that seaweeds like
bladderwrack help with weight loss,3 though more specific research is
warranted.
Bladderwrack has also been used for its ability to
protect against environmental toxins, increase circulation and help lower
cholesterol.
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| | | Indications | | | Primary Indications: Thyroid Disorders (Hypothyroidism / Hyperthyroidism), Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD), Goiter, Obesity (Thyroid-Related), Metabolism
Secondary Indications: Arteriosclerosis / Atherosclerosis, Arthritis, Constipation, Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Immunity / Immune Disorders, Indigestion, Rheumatism, Rheumatoid Arthritis
Other Indications: Acid / Alkaline Balance, Blood Glucose (Sugar) Levels, Circulatory System / Circulation, Hypercholesterolemia, Skin Disorders, Toxicity / Toxemia
Secondary Indications: Joint Pain
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| | | Actions | | | Antibacterial, Antibiotic, Anticholesterolemic, Anticoagulant, Antihypothyroid, Antioxidant, Antirheumatic, Detoxifying
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| | | Constituents / Nutrients | | | There are three major active constituents in bladderwrack: iodine, alginic
acid, and fucoidan.
Iodine: A non-metallic element belonging
to the halogens. It occurs naturally in sea water, plants, and
rocks.
Alginic Acid: A type of dietary fiber that can be
used to help relieve constipation and diarrhea.
Fucoidan:
Another type of dietary fiber in bladderwrack that contains numerous
sulfur groups.
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| | | Pharmacological Summary | | | Most of the healing virtues of Bladderwrack seem to derive from its iodine
content, which stimulates the thyroid gland. Bladderwrack contains high
concentrations of iodine, and for this reason it has been recommended as a
treatment for hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland). However, iodine
will only help for the type of hypothyroidism caused by iodine deficiency,
which is a relatively rare condition in the developed world. If your
iodine levels are not low, taking extra amounts of iodine can cause your
thyroid gland to become either over- or underactive, causing
hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, respectively. Furthermore, the amount
of iodine supplied by bladderwrack is unpredictable.
This confirmed
anti-viral action of alginic acid and fucoidin derived from animal studies
may be good news in the fight against cancer. The prominent Dr. Andrew
Weil reported recently that scientists at the National Cancer Institute
are now investigating the anti-cancer properties of seaweeds. Researchers
in Japan have claimed kelp has been "conclusively proven to
prevent breast cancer"), in addition to having antibiotic,
antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
Other
proposed uses of bladderwrack include treating atherosclerosis and
strengthening immunity, but there is no meaningful evidence at present
that it works for these purposes.
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| | | Research | | | "Hypothyroidism: Symptoms and Successful Treatment"
"Iodine and Cancer: 2 cents from Dr.B."
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| | | Precautions / Contraindications | | | High dosages of iodide (over 150 micrograms per day) can induce or worsen
an overactive thyroid. Allergic reactions are also a possibility.
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| | | Interaction with Medications | | | None documented.
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| | | Possible Side Effects | | | Warning signs of excessive thyroid stimulation include thyroid
enlargement, rapid heartbeat, palpitations, nervousness, agitation,
increased sweating, fatigue, weakness, insomnia, increased appetite, and
weight loss.
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| | | Dosage | | | Dried Extract: 300 - 600 mg, 1-3 times a day. (Most common dosage
is 600 mg, 2 times daily)
Liquid Extract: 4 to 8 mL, 3 times
daily. (Most common dosage is 4 mL, 3 times daily.)
Note:
The most current available medical and scientific literature indicates
that this dietary supplement should be standardized to no more than 150mcg
of iodine daily.
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| | | References | | | 1. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for
Health-Care Professionals. London: Pharmaceutical Press, 1996:124-6.
2. Mills SY. Out of the Earth: The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine.
Middlesex, UK: Viking Arkana, 1991:514-6.
3. Bj”rvell H, R”ssner S. Long-term effects of commonly available weight
reducing programmes in Sweden. Int J Obes 1986;11:67-71.
4. Norman JA, Pickford CJ, Sanders TW, et al. Human intake of arsenic and
iodine from seaweed based food supplements and health foods available in
the UK. Food Addit Contam 1987;5:103-9.
5. Chevrel B. A comparative crossover study on the treatment of heartburn
and epigastric pain: Liquid Gaviscon and a magnesium-aluminum antacid gel.
J Int Med Res 1980;8:300-3.
6. Barnett SA, Varley SJ. The effects of calcium alginate on wound
healing. Ann R Coll Surgeons Engl 1987;69:153-5.
7. B‚ress A, Wassermann O, Bruhn T, et al. A new procedure for the
isolation of anti-HIV compounds (polysaccharides and polyphenols) from the
marine alga Fucus vesiculosus. J Nat Prod 1993;56:478-88.
8. V zquez-Freire MJ, Lamela M, Calleja JM. Hypolipidaemic activity of a
polysaccharide extract from Fucus vesiculosus L. Phytother Res
1996;10:647-50.
9. Lahaye M, Kaeffer B. Seaweed dietary fibres: Structure,
physico-chemical and biological properties relevant to intestinal
physiology. Sci Aliments 1997;17:564-84 [review].
10. V zquez-Freire MJ, Lamela M, Calleja JM. Hypolipidaemic activity of a
polysaccharide extract from Fucus vesiculosus L. Phytother Res
1996;10:647-50.
11. V zquez-Freire MJ, Lamela M, Calleja JM. A preliminary study of
hypoglycaemic activity of several polysaccharide extracts from brown
algae: Fucus vesiculosus, Saccorhiza polyschides and Laminaria ochroleuca.
Phytother Res 1996;10(suppl):S184-5.
12. Bartlett MR, Warren HS, Cowden WB, Parish DR. Effects of the
anti-inflammatory compounds castanospermine, mannose-6-phosphate and
fucoidan on allograft rejection and elicited peritoneal exudates. Immunol
Cell Biol 1994;72:367-74.
13. Church FC, Mead JB, Treanor RE, Whinna HC. Antithrombin activity of
fucoidan. The interaction of fucoidan with heparin cofactor II,
antithrombin III and thrombin. J Biol Chem 1989;264:3618-23.
14. Criado MT, Ferreir¢s CM. Toxicity of an algal mucopolysaacharide for
Escherichia coli and Neisseria meningitidis strains. Rev Esp Fisiol
1984;40:227-30.
15. Moen LK, Clark GF. A novel reverse transcriptase inhibitor from Fucus
vesiculosus. Int Conf AIDS 1993;9(1):145, abstr. #PO-A03-0061.
16. Criado MT, Ferreir¢s CM. Toxicity of an algal mucopolysaacharide for
Escherichia coli and Neisseria meningitidis strains. Rev Esp Fisiol
1984;40:227-30.
17. Lederman S, Gulick R, Chess L. Dextran sulfate and heparin interact
with CD4 molecules to inhibit the binding of coat protein (gp120) of HIV.
J Immunol 1989;143:1149-54.
Our thanks to the following
information resources:PdrHealth.com, Botanical.com.
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| | 6 total products | | | Bladderwrack (Read all about Bladderwrack.)
Botanical Latin Name: Fucus vesiculosis
Plant Part: Dried mass or root, stem, and leaves. | |
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Bladderwrack - Health - Garcinia Cambogia & Bladderwrack Combination Powder
4 oz / 114 g
$15.76 US
Was: 17.13 US
Usually ships in 1-3 days.
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Bladderwrack - Health - Garcinia Cambogia & Bladderwrack Combination Powder
1 oz / 28 g
$8.63 US
Was: 9.38 US
Usually ships in 1-3 days.
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Bladderwrack - Health - Garcinia Cambogia & Bladderwrack Combination Tea
25 tea bags
$10.41 US
Was: 11.31 US
Usually ships in 1-3 days.
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Bladderwrack - Health - Garcinia Cambogia & Bladderwrack Combination Tea
50 tea bags
$15.69 US
Was: 17.05 US
Usually ships in 1-3 days.
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Bladderwrack - Health - Garcinia Cambogia & Bladderwrack Combination Cream
2 oz / 57 g
$12.92 US
Was: 14.04 US
Usually ships in 1-3 days.
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Bladderwrack - Health - Garcinia Cambogia & Bladderwrack Combination Salve / Ointment
2 oz / 57 g
$14.67 US
Was: 15.95 US
Usually ships in 1-3 days.
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
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