Laminaria

What is Laminaria (seaweed)?

Laminaria is a genus of seaweeds of the genus Laminaria of the family Laminariaceae, the edible varieties of which are commonly known as "sea kale". Dried, frozen or canned varieties are used for food: Laminaria saccharina (Saccharina major), Laminaria or Saccharina Japanese, Laminaria palmate. The algae grow in cold water in the northern regions of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Laminaria has been cultivated commercially for almost 100 years, and it has been used for food since ancient times, not only fresh or pickled, but also for making sweets and other Asian dishes. The species Laminaria digitata is also widely used for extracting useful components (for example, iodine or potash), making cosmetics, and obtaining alginic acid, known for its healing properties.

Composition of kelp

Growing in the North Atlantic Ocean, Laminaria digitata is a rich source of carbohydrates (34-55% of dry weight, excluding the important polysaccharide alginate), and protein (5-12%), which determines its nutritional value. The chemical composition of kelp includes the following biologically active components:

• iodine (0.25-1.20%);
• xylose, galactose, mannose (about 0.5%);
• mannitol (9.8-20.6%);
• fucose (up to 5%);
• laminarin (13-41%);
• glucose (3-36%).

Also, kelp contains high concentrations of P, Fe, Na, Mg, B vitamins, carotenoids, vitamin C, and dietary fiber, which together causes interest in it as a rich source of nutrients and as an effective medical remedy.

Healing properties of kelp

The beneficial properties of kelp are often associated with its high iodine content, which determines its positive effect on thyroid function, in particular its use for the prevention and treatment of endemic goiter. However, official medicine is researching this algae in search of potentially effective components for the following diseases:

• overweight and related cardiovascular problems (the effect is achieved thanks to dietary fiber and alginate, which create a feeling of satiety);
• prevention of tumors due to antioxidant activity and inhibition of carcinogens by sulfated polysaccharides and the carotenoid fucoxanthin;
• stabilization of the neuropsychological state and relief of age-related neurodegeneration with improvement of cognitive abilities and physical mobility;
• anticoagulant effect due to the presence of sulfated polysaccharides;
• normalization of the function of the gastrointestinal tract due to the laxative effect of kelp components;
• as an antidote for people working with radionuclides and barium salts;
• moisturizing and maintaining skin elasticity due to the presence of phlorotannins, which in natural conditions help algae resist the effects of solar ultraviolet radiation.

Buy Laminaria powder at PapaNature

PapaNature online store offers to buy kelp from Ukraine with worldwide delivery. We supply high-quality powder from raw materials obtained from "kelp forests", controlled grown in ecologically clean regions of the ocean. Gentle technologies are used for its drying, which allow to preserve the maximum amount of useful polysaccharides, vitamins and other components. We offer high quality, favorable price of kelp powder and fast order shipping.