Evidence supporting the use of: Norwegian Kelp
For the health condition: Goiter
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4
Norwegian Kelp, derived from several species of brown seaweed (notably Ascophyllum nodosum), is rich in iodine, a vital micronutrient required for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland, is most commonly caused by iodine deficiency. Historically, the use of seaweed as a remedy for goiter dates back centuries, particularly in coastal regions where diets naturally provided higher levels of iodine. The scientific rationale for using kelp to treat or prevent goiter is well established: iodine supplementation can reverse and prevent the thyroid hypertrophy seen in iodine-deficient populations. Numerous clinical and epidemiological studies have linked iodine deficiency to endemic goiter, and public health interventions, such as iodized salt and, in some cases, kelp supplementation, have dramatically reduced goiter prevalence worldwide. However, caution is warranted because excessive iodine intake from kelp can, in susceptible individuals, lead to thyroid dysfunction (either hyper- or hypothyroidism). Nonetheless, current scientific evidence supports the use of iodine-rich kelp in the management and prevention of goiter due to iodine deficiency, provided intake is appropriately monitored.