Bladderwrack is a type of seaweed found on the coasts of the North Sea, the western Baltic Sea, and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. A common food in Japan, it is used as an additive and flavoring in various food products in Europe. Bladderwrack is commonly found as a component of kelp tablets or powders used as nutritional supplements. It is sometimes loosely called kelp, but that term technically refers to a different seaweed. The main use of bladderwrack and other types of seaweed in herbal medicine is as a source of iodine, an essential nutrient for the thyroid gland. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What Is Bladderwrack Used for Today? Because bladderwrack contains high concentrations of iodine, it is sometimes recommended as a treatment for hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland).1 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. A component of bladderwrack called alginic acid swells upon contact with water; when taken orally, it forms a type of seal at the top of the stomach, and for this reason is used in over-the-counter preparations for heartburn. The same constituent gives bladderwrack laxative properties as well.2 Other proposed uses of bladderwrack include treating atherosclerosis and strengthening immunity, although there is no real evidence at present that it works for these purposes.3,4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dosage Because of safety concerns (see Safety Issues below), we do not recommend the use of bladderwrack. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safety Issues Studies have found that levels of iodine vary widely among bladderwrack products, even including the raw form of the herb.5 Because of this, there is an unacceptable risk of overdosing on iodine and causing hyper- or hypothyroidism. Bladderwrack and other seaweed preparations can worsen acne and decrease iron absorption.6 Finally, bladderwrack, like other sea plants, can concentrate toxic heavy metals such as arsenic from the surrounding sea water.7 One report suggests that use of a bladderwrack product with a high heavy metal content is responsible for a case of kidney failure.9 Heavy metals present particular risks for pregnant or nursing women, children, individuals with kidney disease, or anyone using bladderwrack long term or in high doses. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- References 1. Newall C, Anderson, LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. London, England: Pharmaceutical Press; 1996. 2. Newall C, Anderson, LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. London, England: Pharmaceutical Press; 1996. 3. Criado MT, Ferreiros CM. Immunomodulatory effect produced in mice by a complex-carbohydrate specific lectin-like mucopolysaccharide from Fucus vesiculosus. IRCS J Med Sci. 1983;11:286–287. 4. Newall C, Anderson, LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. London, England: Pharmaceutical Press; 1996. 5. 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;5:103–109. 6. Harrell BL, Rudolph AH. Kelp diet: a cause of acneiform eruption [letter]. Arch Dermatol. 1976;112:560. 7. Walkiw O, Douglas DE. Health food supplements prepared from kelp—a source of elevated urinary arsenic [letter]. Can Med Assoc J. 1974;111:1301–1302. 8. Walkiw O, Douglas DE. Health food supplements prepared from kelp—a source of elevated urinary arsenic. Clin Toxicol. 1975;8:325–331. 9. Conz PA, La Greca G, Benedetti P, et al. Fucus vesiculosus: a nephrotoxic alga? Nephrol Dial Transplant. 1998;13:526-527. |
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