Question 1

What is seaweed?

Accepted Answer

Seaweed (also sometimes referred to as kelp), grows in shallow nutrient-rich salt water along many coastlines around the world. Botanically, this plant is classified as algae. It is a rich source of natural vitamins and minerals, including essential trace minerals. Seaweed is dependent upon the sea for its nourishment — a rich environment, since the sea is the repository of all the minerals that have been washed from the land through-out millennia. Oceangreen Organics uses the most nutritionally dense seaweed available — Macrocystis Seaweed (brown bull kelp).

Question 2

How is seaweed harvested?

Accepted Answer

Macrocystis can grow as much as two feet per day. Seaweed's environmental requirements are sea water, light for photosynthesis and a firm attachment, Seaweed is dependent upon the sea for its nourishment (they have an excellent ability to take up minerals from the water and hold onto these minerals in their cells). Historically, seaweed has been readily available, accessible and used as a food source by coastal communities for centuries.
 
Note:  Only purchase seaweed from a reputable and organic supplier — it is important to know where your seaweed is harvested from. Seaweed absorbs the nutrients as well as nasty pollutants and chemicals from the growing area. Heavy metals levels in seaweed can vary dramatically between batches and harvest location. Use a reputable company that tests their products for contaminants.

Question 3

What vitamins and minerals are found in seaweed?

Accepted Answer

Macrocystis pyrifera seaweed (Brown Southern Pacific Seaweed) is what we use in our seaweed supplement capsules. It contains a unique and comprehensive combination of 56 minerals, vitamins, electrolytes and trace elements — including notable amounts of iodine, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iodine, iron, zinc, potassium, bromine, iron, sodium, phosphorous, magnesium, align, mucopolysaccharides, histamine, and vitamins A, B-1,B-2, C, D and E. It also contains important trace elements such as selenium — an element that is somewhat lacking in land vegetables due to soil demineralisation.  
 
The nutrients found in seaweed help support numerous structures and functions throughout the entire human body.
 
Current research of the unique properties of seaweed make it beneficial to the body in several ways. Research findings have identified and highlighted numerous healing and topical health properties. Worldwide research is continuously being done and Macrocystis seaweed has been found to be the most beneficial type. This research has identified significant features and benefits to human health. Read more about Macrocystis here.

Question 4

What is the science behind seaweed's health properties?

Accepted Answer

Awareness and research around seaweed have been growing over the past 5-10 years. Although seaweed has been used for cultural and healing purposes for hundreds of years, it isn’t until fairly recently that seaweed has captured the global attention of the cosmetic, health and skin care industries.
 
Brown seaweed is considered the number one food with the highest concentration of iodine. Iodine is essential for the balance and health of the thyroid gland, which in turn is responsible for a healthy metabolism, the digestive system, and mental and physical energy levels.

Question 5

Why is seaweed good for you?

Accepted Answer

Seaweed supports a healthy metabolism. It is a natural superfood loaded with trace minerals, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Most notably, seaweed is a rich, natural source of iodine which can provide adequate levels to stimulate a sluggish thyroid and encourage a healthy metabolism. The unique properties of seaweed make it beneficial to the body in several ways.

Question 6

A note on seaweed, iodine and thryoid conditions

Accepted Answer

Seaweed is one of the best sources of iodine, and while many thyroid conditions can be helped by seaweed consumption, some thyroid conditions can be exacerbated by it.

Please ensure to always seek medical advice before taking any complementary medicine or supplement containing iodine.

Question 7

Does Ocean & Green test their seaweed? - the answer is YES of course we do.

Accepted Answer

Each batch of our seaweed capsules undergo various tests with reputable companies to first ensure our product is safe and, secondly to assess the levels of micronutrients.

Regular testing reveals the capsules do not pose an infection risk as microbial growth of yeasts, molds and bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria are not present or well below the safety specifications in our seaweed. In addition, heavy metals such as cadmium, copper and mercury, common water contaminants, are also below the safe concentration limits within capsules.

Ultimately meaning our seaweed capsules contain only the good stuff for nourishing your health naturally!

See our nutrition sheet for a comprehensive breakdown of all the beneficial vitamins and minerals present in Ocean and Green Seaweed Capsules.

Question 8

Why does the iodine level vary per batch?  Why is the label state different iodine level amounts?

Accepted Answer

Across our batches of seaweed capsules (from 2017 to present), iodine concentrations have varied from 1310 mg/kg to 2400 mg/kg.

The iodine in our seaweed comes from the ocean, where it is stored in the form of salts iodide and iodate. These iodine-containing salts accumulate in seaweed, with brown seaweeds such as Macrocystis pyrifera (in Ocean and Green Seaweed capsules) being particularly effective at absorbing iodine. Therefore, factors that increase or alter the iodine level of the ocean, also affect the concentration of iodine in seaweed. At low tide and in higher temperatures, the concentration of iodine salts in seawater are higher, resulting in greater iodine levels in our seaweed capsules during warmer months.

Question 9

Can I still take seaweed capsules if I am on thyroid medication?

Accepted Answer

At Ocean and Green we take your health seriously, so our first answer is of course to check with your doctor before starting Ocean and Green Seaweed capsules.

The capsules alone are not likely to interact with your thyroid medication, but it is important to understand the effects of iodine in the capsule on thyroid health. The typical treatment for hypothyroidism is levothyroxine sodium, which is a synthetic form of our thyroid hormone thyroxine (aka T4), which actually already contains iodine. As for hyperthyroidism, iodine is sometimes used early in treatment if the thyroid is being removed. However, iodine in hyperthyroidism is not recommended long term as its beneficial effects diminish over time. Therefore
 
While obtaining enough iodine is important, sustained excessive consumption of iodine has been shown to induce hypothyroidism. Because of this, we are committed to monitoring iodine levels in our product, and value transparency with our customers so you can make informed decisions that best suit your health. We also recommend exercising caution when consuming products high in iodine (such as OceanGreen Seaweed capsules) if you are already susceptible to thyroid issues. 
 
If you don’t want to miss out on all the other goodies in our seaweed capsules, such as Vitamin B12, work out a plan with your doctor to manage your iodine intake, for example take a capsule every odd day. For a full breakdown of the seaweed capsule contents, refer the product page.

Please note :  We value transparency, including always stating the amount of iodine in each batch so our customers can be as informed as possible about their health.

Question 10

Are there side-effects of having too much iodine?

Accepted Answer

Consuming too much iodine overtime can lead to an overactive thyroid, a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Generally, side effects are minimal but may include dizziness, tiredness, fever, vomiting and abdominal pain. If you suspect you’ve consumed too much iodine, ease off the seaweed and drink plenty of water. This will help to flush out excess iodine. Remember to always seek medical advice before taking any complementary medicine or supplement containing iodine.
For more general information about the importance of iodine in the human diet, please refer to the Iodine Fact Sheet published by the U.S. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements here.(https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-Consumer/)

Question 11

What is fucoidan?

Accepted Answer

Fucoidan is a substance found in the cell walls of certain seaweed species that is used medicinally for a wide variety of health purposes. You might take fucoidan to help treat high blood pressure, infections or allergies.
 
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) say that brown seaweed is one of the best natural food sources of iodine — an essential component in thyroid hormone production.

Question 12

Did you know?

Accepted Answer

Oceangreen Organics Seaweed Supplement is the only 100% pure New Zealand nutritional seaweed in the marketplace.  We are unique — we are the best and will deliver the best results to you.
 
The mineral content in sea vegetables (seaweed) is about 10 times higher than that of garden vegetables. Seaweed is packed full of chlorophyll and soluble dietary fibre — with a balanced combination of minerals including potassium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, magnesium and iodine. Calcium and magnesium together regulate many functions — including muscles and the nervous system and iodine is essential for human health.
 
Macrocystis pyrifera seaweed is one of the most nutrient-rich algae on the planet. It grows in the nutrient-dense ocean waters off the Southern Pacific shores of New Zealand. New Zealand's clean waters are a nutrient-rich treasure chest in which the seaweed thrives, pulling high concentrations through their leafy blades. 
 
Brown seaweed has more calcium than many vegetables, including kale and collard greens. Calcium is important as it helps to maintain strong bones and optimal muscle function.  
 
An incredible source of:
Polysaccharides
Fucoxanthin
Fucoidan
Natural Source of Iodine, plus, 
over 52 vitamins & Minerals
 
Advocated as the food of the future — the oceans' superfood.
 
According to George Mateljan Foundation - "Iodine is a key component of the hormones made in the thyroid gland. These hormones are absolutely critical to human health, helping to control energy production and utilisation in nearly every cell of the body"

Question 13

Looking for more?

Accepted Answer

Please visit our blog by clicking on the tab in the menu bar above for a wealth of further information on the incredible benefits of seaweed.

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Email info@oceanandgreen.co.nz

Phone + 64 22 429 0597

Location New Zealand Southern Pacific Seaweed Company Ltd. Christchurch, 8014, New Zealand

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