Active Ingredient Seaweed, Kelp, Bladderwrack (fucus Vesiculosus)

large, robust forms of brown algae (phaeophyceae) in the order laminariales. they are a major component of the lower intertidal and sublittoral zones on rocky coasts in temperate and polar waters. kelp, a kind of seaweed, usually refers to species in the genera laminaria or macrocystis, but the term may also be used for species in fucus or nereocystis.

Source:

medlineplus herbs and supplements: seaweed, kelp, bladderwrack (fucus vesiculosus)

Medical Condition	Uses based on scientific evidence	Grade*
diabetes mellitus without mention of complication	based on animal research, extracts of bladderwrack may lower blood sugar levels. however, there is a lack of reliable human studies available to support a recommendation for use in diabetes.	c
hemorrhagic disorder due to intrinsic circulating anticoagulants	laboratory study has found anticoagulant properties in fucans or fucoidans, which are components of brown algae such as bladderwrack. however, there are no high quality human studies available to support this use.	c
loss of weight	bladderwrack and other seaweed products are often marketed for weight-loss. however, safety and effectiveness have not been studied in humans.	c
neoplasms	several brown algae, including bladderwrack ( fucus vesiculosus ), appear to suppress the growth of various cancer cells in animal and laboratory studies. however, currently there is a lack of reliable human studies available to support a recommendation for use in cancer.	c
simple and unspecified goiter	bladderwrack contains variable levels of iodine. as a result, it has been used to treat thyroid disorders, such as goiters. while the evidence does suggest thyroid activity, there is not enough research to support this use of bladderwrack.	c

*Key to grades
A: Strong scientific evidence for this use;
B: Good scientific evidence for this use;
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use;
D: Fair scientific evidence against this use;
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use.