Do you find no matter how many cups of coffee you drink in the morning, you simply can’t find the energy to get through the day? You’re not alone. And the culprit may be your thyroid health.
Many people struggle with low energy and slow metabolism due to poor thyroid health. Your thyroid gland needs iodine to make hormones that control your body’s energy use. Seaweed offers a natural way to support thyroid function with its rich iodine content and other key nutrients.
In this article, we are going to dive deeper into the best types of seaweed to boost your thyroid health and speed up your metabolism — the natural way.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before starting any exercise program, making changes to your nutrition plan, or adding any new supplements into your current regimen.
Understanding Thyroid Health
Your thyroid gland sits at the base of your neck and acts as a control center for your body’s energy use. This small butterfly-shaped gland makes hormones that control how fast your body burns calories and how quickly your heart beats.
Functions of the Thyroid Gland
Your thyroid gland makes key hormones called T3 and T4 that control how fast your body works. These hormones keep your heart beating at the right speed and help you burn calories to be used for energy.
The thyroid works with your brain to keep body systems in balance. It gets signals from the pituitary gland to make more or less hormones as needed. The thyroid needs iodine to create these vital hormones that manage body heat, digestion, and bone growth.
A healthy thyroid keeps all these systems running smoothly through its hormone signals.
Common Disorders Affecting the Thyroid
Your thyroid gland faces two main health issues: hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism strikes when your thyroid makes too little hormone, often due to Hashimoto’s disease or lack of iodine.
This condition affects many people and shows up through weight gain, tiredness, and feeling cold. Hyperthyroidism happens if your thyroid produces extra hormones, usually from Graves’ disease or thyroid nodules, causing weight loss and fast heart rate.
Goiter affects 5-20% of U.S. adults, making their thyroid gland grow bigger than normal. New moms should watch for postpartum thyroiditis, which touches about 5% of birthing parents within their first year after delivery.
Your healthcare provider can spot these problems through blood tests and thyroid scans. Each thyroid condition needs its own treatment plan to help your body work right and keep you healthy.
Key Nutrients for Thyroid Function
Your thyroid needs specific nutrients to work at its best. These nutrients support your hormone levels and keep your thyroid running smoothly.
1. Iodine for Hormone Production
Iodine plays a vital role in making thyroid hormones T4 and T3. The thyroid gland needs this key mineral to create hormones that control metabolism, growth, and body temperature. The body requires specific amounts of iodine daily to support your thyroid health.
Too little or too much iodine can harm thyroid function. A daily limit of 1,100 micrograms keeps the thyroid balanced. Low iodine leads to an underactive thyroid and an enlarged thyroid gland.
High iodine intake causes overactive thyroid and immune system problems.
2. Essential Nutrients like Selenium and Zinc
Selenium plays a vital role in your thyroid health. Your body needs this mineral to change thyroid hormones into their active form. The right amount of selenium cuts your risk of thyroid diseases like Hashimoto’s and Graves’.
Your body absorbs selenomethionine better than other forms of selenium.
Zinc helps your body make thyroid hormones and keeps them working right. This mineral protects your thyroid cells from damage. Your thyroid function tests show better results with good zinc levels in your body.
Too much or too little of these minerals can hurt your thyroid, so talk to your doctor about the right amounts for you.
Benefits of Seaweed for Thyroid Health
Seaweed is naturally loaded with iodine — a vital nutrient your thyroid needs to make hormones. Your thyroid gland works better with seaweed’s natural mix of minerals and antioxidants that fight swelling in your neck area.
1. Seaweed as a Rich Source of Iodine
Your thyroid gland needs iodine to make hormones. Natural seaweeds like kombu and kelp contain a ton of this vital nutrient. These ocean plants give your body the iodine it can’t make on its own.
A single gram of kelp offers more than enough iodine for your daily needs.
The right amount of iodine from seaweed helps stop thyroid problems before they start. Many people don’t get enough iodine in their food. Your body uses this mineral to create T3 and T4 hormones that keep your metabolism strong.
Too little iodine leads to a slow thyroid and weight gain. The good news? Adding small bits of seaweed to your meals fixes this fast.
2. Antioxidants in Seaweed and Their Anti-inflammatory Effects
Seaweed is high in antioxidants that fight harmful free radicals in the body. Brown seaweed contains fucoxanthin, an antioxidant stronger than vitamin E. These natural compounds reduce inflammation and protect cells from damage.
The high levels of vitamins A, C, E, and K in seaweed support immune function and lower disease risks.
Seaweed’s fiber acts as a natural prebiotic to calm inflammation in the gut. Studies show regular seaweed intake helps improve cholesterol and heart health through its anti-inflammatory effects.
The nutrients in seaweed work together to reduce thyroid inflammation and support proper hormone production. The antioxidant properties make seaweed an excellent food for managing thyroid disorders and boosting metabolism naturally.
Seaweed’s Impact on Metabolism
Seaweed helps speed up your body’s fat-burning process through special compounds that boost metabolism. These sea vegetables help your thyroid make hormones that control how fast your body uses energy.
1. How Seaweed Enhances Metabolic Rate
Your thyroid gland needs specific nutrients to boost your metabolic rate and support weight management. Studies prove that seaweed’s amino acid called tyrosine helps make thyroid hormones. These hormones control how fast your body burns calories.
The natural compounds in sea plants speed up your metabolism and help you stay at a healthy weight.
Research shows clear results about seaweed’s power to manage weight. Eleven studies found that people who took seaweed supplements lost more body fat. A special compound called fucoxanthin stops your body from storing extra fat.
Your body absorbs fewer fats from food thanks to the unique fibers in sea vegetables. This means you can maintain a better weight without strict diets.
2. Seaweed’s Role in Energy and Weight Management
Seaweed helps you drop extra pounds through special compounds that make you feel full longer. Studies show its mix of polysaccharides, proteins, and carotenoids fights fat storage in the body.
These natural elements boost energy levels while cutting down total cholesterol and bad LDL numbers.
Seaweed acts as a powerful tool for blood sugar control and better insulin response. The fiber in seaweed slows down sugar absorption, which keeps energy steady all day long. People who eat seaweed often report feeling more energetic without the crashes that come from sugary foods.
The natural iodine content speeds up metabolism, making it easier to maintain a healthy weight.
Effective Seaweed Types for Thyroid Wellness
Seaweed is the perfect choice for thyroid support with its rich mix of vital minerals and nutrients. Each type of seaweed brings unique perks to your thyroid health — from boosting hormone levels to helping your metabolism work better.
1. Health Benefits of Kelp
Out of nearly 10,000+ sea plants, kelp is one of the best for thyroid health. This brown seaweed is high in protein and dietary fiber to boost your metabolism. Your thyroid needs iodine to make hormones, and kelp delivers this vital nutrient in its natural form.
The rich nutrients in kelp support bone health and help your immune system stay strong.
Your body gets multiple benefits from this powerful sea plant. Kelp helps prevent cancer risks and keeps your heart healthy. People with thyroid issues must check their iodine intake levels from kelp, especially those with hypothyroidism.
The thyroid gland uses these nutrients to make the right amount of hormones your body needs each day.
2. Advantages of Nori
Nori is great for your thyroid health. This sea vegetable contains high levels of iodine, a vital nutrient your thyroid needs to work right. Your body gets B12, magnesium, potassium, and zinc from this nutritious seaweed.
These minerals help your thyroid make hormones that control your metabolism.
The fiber in nori supports your gut health and keeps things moving smoothly. Your body benefits from nori’s strong antioxidants that fight cell damage. These natural compounds protect you from harmful changes in your cells.
The nutrients in nori work together to boost your thyroid function and keep your energy levels steady throughout the day.
Holistic Bin Triple Icelandic Seaweed Flakes contain a good amount of nori and are something you could consider adding to your nutrition and supplement regimen.
3. Positive Effects of Wakame
Wakame seaweed is also a good ocean plant that can improve your thyroid health. Your body gets around 280% of the daily iodine needs from a single serving of this sea vegetable. The high iodine content helps your thyroid make hormones that control your metabolism.
This green seaweed fights fat and supports weight loss goals. Your blood pressure and cholesterol levels drop with regular wakame intake. Scientists have found that wakame contains special compounds that help stop cancer cells from growing.
Your body gets these benefits through simple ways like adding wakame to soups or salads.
Holistic Bin Seaweed Supports Your Thyroid Health
Seaweed offers a natural way to boost your thyroid health and speed up your metabolism. Your body needs the right amount of iodine from seaweed to make thyroid hormones work well. Adding kelp, nori, and other sea plants to your meals gives you key nutrients for a healthy thyroid gland.
Smart food choices that include seaweed help keep your thyroid strong and your energy levels high.
At Holistic Bin, we’re about sourcing the highest-quality ingredients from the sea — including various types of seaweed. If you’re looking for something to add to your regimen, give Pure Nordic Seaweed Flakes, Wildcraft Icelandic Dulse Flakes, and even Marine Phytoplankton a try!
Thyroid Health Resources
1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23188-thyroid
2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323196
3. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/hypothyroidism
4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8709459/
5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5307254/
6. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-seaweed
7. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-seaweed
8. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10399747/
9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38749056/
11. https://www.biovie.fr/en/blog/quels-sont-les-7-bienfaits-de-l-algue-nori-super-algue--n621
12.https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/wakame
Author:
Matt Weik, BS, CSCS, CPT, CSN, is the owner of Weik Fitness. He is a globally recognized and prolific writer. With a passion for creating health and fitness content, Matt’s work has been featured on thousands of websites, over 100 magazines, and he has authored over a dozen published books.