Laminaria Extract and Algae

Laminaria extract is a form of seaweed extract, more specifically of the brown kelp variety. In general terms, Laminaria is just a form of common kelp, but one which has some very interesting health benefits. I personally prefer to eat my sea vegetables whole, but since most people prefer supplements and extracts these days, laminaria extract has become one of the more popular seaweed supplements. What does it do? Sea vegetables in general are very healthy and nutritious for the body, being loaded with lots of vitamins and minerals, and especially those trace elements that are difficult to find. But most people are starting to take laminaria extract because of its weight loss properties. The effects of laminaria on weight loss are more indirect. In general, laminaria, as well as other sea vegetables, help to promote those systems that ultimately result in weight loss.

** Do not take Laminaria extract if you are pregnant

Laminaria extract has a number of benefits, but not all of them will be beneficial to each person who takes it.

1. Boosts Iodine

• Laminaria has a high iodine content. This is important for a number of reasons. Up until a few decades ago, iodine was used in making standard bread. Now, many bread makers have substituted iodine for a chemical that actually leeches iodine from your body. In many cases, iodine has been taken out of our diets, causing many people to fall into iodine deficiency. Having an iodine deficiency can cause a wide variety of health problems, the least of which is an inefficient metabolism. Taking laminaria extract naturally boosts your iodine intake thereby boosting your metabolism and causing weight loss and increased energy in many persons. But this will only help in persons with an iodine deficiency. To check whether or not you have an iodine deficiency, the best way is to use what's called an iodine tincture. You can follow the instructions on it, but basically what you do is put a two inch swab of iodine liquid on your arm somewhere. If the liquid disappears within a few hours, that generally means you probably have an iodine deficiency.

2. Natural Weight Loss

• Laminaria extract seems to promote safe and natural weight loss. From many of the reviews compiled and the testimonials of people who've tried it, the weight loss seems consistent and seems to stay off. This is a big plus for people who want to diet and lose weight naturally instead of using the latest diet pill. The actual weight loss properties of laminaria extract are still unsubstantiated, but the good news is that laminaria extract doesn't seem to have any known side effects.
  

In general, I'm against taking supplements in lieu of the real thing. Seaweed and sea vegetables of many different varieties have been shown to have amazing health properties. Dried seaweed, like the kind wrapped around sushi rolls is easy to find, store, and not too bad to eat. Before trying laminaria extract or the laminaria diet pill, why not try just eating regular seaweed and sea vegetables. You might just find that eating sea vegetables speeds up your metabolism by giving you the right combination of nutrients that your body craves. You may also find that the many hard to find nutrients, vitamins, and minerals available in sea vegetables will get rid of the potential deficiencies that you have in your body that are causing you to feel tired and fatigued. Did you know that chronic fatigue is a general symptom for many of the major vitamin and mineral deficiencies that people have? Loosing weight and boosting your vitality might be as simple as eating more vitamin and mineral rich foods. Try different forms of seaweed and sea vegetables before you run to supplements and extracts.  A great algae to start off with is Spirulina.  For info, check out Spirulina Powder Facts.