Healthy Living Tips

Kelp is a healing herb today because it contains a chemical (sodium alginate, also known simply as alginate), which is beneficial for health problems unique to the 20th century: radiation exposure, heavy metal toxicity, and heart disease.

Protection From Radiation: The sodium alginate in kelp helps prevent absorption of radioactive strontium 90, a by-product of nuclear explosions and nuclear power and weapons facilities. Strontium 90, one of many toxic heavy metals, accumulates in bone tissue and has been linked to several cancers: leukemia, bone cancer, and Hodgkin's disease. Aboveground
nuclear testing released a great deal of strontium 90. Nuclear accidents, including those at Three Mile Island, have also released large quantities. In fact, so much strontium 90 has been released into the atmosphere, the bone tissue of every person on earth probably contains detectable levels.

Many animal studies show alginate supplements reduce strontium-90 absorption by as much as 83 percent. The herb's anti-strontium effect extends to human children and adults,
according to a report in the International Journal of Radiation Biology. The U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (now the Nuclear Regulatory Commission) guidelines advocate 3 ounces of kelp a week or 2 tablespoons of alginate supplement a day to prevent strontium-90 absorption.

However, sodium alginate mainly prevents the absorption of newly invested heavy metals. It works only in the gastrointestinal tract. It has little effect on past exposures. It does not significantly eliminate strontium and other pollutants already deposited in bone and other tissues. But since emissions from nuclear facilities continue to expose us to strontium 90 and other heavy metals, kelp or alginate supplementation is a good idea, especially for anyone who works in a nuclear facility, lives near one, or is occupationally exposed to heavy metals.
Strontium 90 is just one of many toxic heavy metals. Studies at McGill University in Montreal show that kelp also protects the body from several others: barium, cadmium, plutonium, and cesium.

Heart Disease: Some animal studies show kelp may help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. On the other hand, kelp is also high in sodium, which may raise some people's blood pressure. Salt-sensitive individuals with high blood pressure should not consume large amounts of kelp. Others may include the herb in a comprehensive heart-disease prevention program.

Prevents Infection: Kelp is not an herbal antibiotic, but it does interfere with the growth of some bacteria and fungi. Cuts exposed to sea- water are often slow to heal and prone to infection. Kelp might be useful as an emergency bandage for boating, fishing, surfing, and diving injuries.

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