Bladderwrack is a safe alternative to GMO soy to support women's health

Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus), a brown seaweed similar to kelp, gets its name from the air sacs that keep the plant afloat in cold sea water.

Bladderwrack is a great plant source of iodine thatis essential for the human body, but the body cannot make on its own. Iodine is needed for the thyroid gland to do its job. Without iodine, the thyroid cannot produce enough hormones. This is especially important in women's health because one of the consequences of an under-performing thyroid is the inability to ovulate. In pregnancy, low thyroid function can cause high blood pressure in the mother and impaired mental function in the baby.

Iodine is also used to treat fibrocystic breast disease in women, which is a leading cause of breast cancer. According to a 2004 study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Bladderwrack performs similarly to soy in the regulation of female sex hormones. Because of this, Bladderwrack can be considered a safe alternative to GMO soy to support women's health.

Bladderwrack reduces cholesterol and regulates sex hormones in women at risk for estrogen-related cancers

In 2004, scientists explored why women in Western cultures developed estrogen-related cancers at a faster rate than women in Eastern cultures. The scientists supposed that the much higher rate of seaweed consumption in Asian countries may offer an explanation. The researchers knew that Bladderwrack and other seaweeds reduced blood cholesterol levels. They also knew that lower cholesterol levels helped regulate sex hormone levels in women. The scientists decided to test whether Bladderwrack, a common part of the Asian woman's diet, helped to regulate women's monthly menstrual cycles and balance female sex hormones. In particular, the researchers wanted to find out if Bladderwrack and kelp in general would be of benefit to women who were at risk for estrogen-related cancers and other diseases.

When women of child-bearing age with a history of menstrual problems and very light and short menstrual cycles increased their consumption of Bladderwrack, they noticed that their monthly periods were considerably longer. Among women at risk for estrogen-related cancers, a daily dose of 1.4 g (about one-fourth teaspoon) of Bladderwrack significantly lowered estrogen levels and increased progesterone levels. Progesterone is the female sex hormone which prepares the lining of the uterus for a fertilized egg every month. Without a healthy level of progesterone, a woman cannot conceive and sustain a pregnancy.

Could Bladderwrack replace soy to promote women's health?

Major concerns over GMO soy produced in the U.S. have many women looking for safe alternatives to soy that promote women's health. Additionally, Bladderwrack may also help women with weight loss if weight gain is related to thyroid issues. It does this because iodine stimulates the thyroid gland to help regulate metabolism.

Bladderwrack is an antioxidant, which reduces free radicals known to trigger breast cancer cell growth. As demonstrated above, Bladderwrack does appear to regulate female sex hormones in a similar manner to soy. The seaweed can be considered as a safe replacement for soy products.

Sources for this article include:

Pubmed.gov, "Dietary Supplements Labels Database Active Ingredient: Bladderwrack Thalius (Seaweed)

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/35.html

Ovulation Calculator.com, "Progesterone and Fertility"

http://www.ovulation-calculator.com/preconception/progesterone.htm

Physician's Select.com, "Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus)

http://www.physiciansselect.co.uk/bladderwrack-fucus-vesiculosus.htm

Mountain Rose Herbs.com, "Bladderwrack Profile"

http://www.physiciansselect.co.uk/bladderwrack-fucus-vesiculosus.htm

Unbound Medicine.com, "The effect of Fucus vesiculosus, an edible brown seaweed, upon menstrual cycle length and hormonal status in three pre-menopausal women: a case report," C.F. Skibola.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine August 2004; 10.

http://www.unboundmedicine.com

About the author:

This article is provided courtesy of Donna Earnest Pravel, owner and senior editor of

Heart of Texas Copywriting Solutions.com.

Get free biweekly tips on natural healing and herbs by visiting her blog,

Bluebonnet Natural Healing Therapy.

Learn more:

http://www.naturalnews.com/035098_Bladderwrack_soy_womens_health.html#ixzz1zkrCHgQK

7 Comments to Bladderwrack is a safe alternative to GMO soy to support women's health :

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Samon Simon on September-17-12 1:38 AM

Deep meaningful analysis on Women health issue! I think it is educative content for every woman and I think by reading the content women could get rid from the estrogen related cancers and other diseases. Thanks for the efficient preservation!

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Giovanny Ray on October-19-12 1:11 AM

Definitely excellent purpose!! Bladderwrack is a great plant source of iodine that is essential for women health. I will tell my wife about the importance of bladderwrack. I'm grateful for your brilliant expose.

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Antony Micah on November-01-12 5:35 AM

Educative discussion of women's health! I think bladderwrack is important for women's health. I really like your discussion. I will discuss it with my wife. Keep it up.

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boot isabel marant on November-14-12 1:30 AM

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Gisselle Kira on November-26-12 1:57 AM

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responsible service of alcohol online on April-17-13 5:18 AM

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