Brown algae contain various properties that can be beneficial to humans, such as, antirheumatic, antibacterial, anticoagulant, and antioxidant. A major industrial use of brown algae is for alginate production (as mentioned before, gel-like alginate is part of the algae’s structural system). Alginates are used as food additives for thickening certain foods, pharmaceutically added to tablets to allow faster disintegration of tablets, or even as a wound dressing due to its calcium concentration which slows bleeding. It is known to absorb water quickly making it a useful additive to weight loss supplements. Alginates are also widely used as an emulsifier or binder in many industrial processes.

https://www.artmolds.com/alginate-pharmaceutical-uses

One major use of alginate is in dentistry where it is used for moldings and impression material. 

This alga is also a great source of Vitamins C, B1, B2, B6, B9, and B12. B9, also known as folate, is vital for proper brain function. It is necessary to reduce the risk of birth defects. All of these vitamins, except vitamin C, are not produced naturally by humans and must be consumed. The kelp is also a source of minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and some trace elements. One of these trace elements is iodine which is an essential nutrient fond almost every in the human body and is critical for normal reproductive growth and maturity of reproductive organs. The giant kelp’s calcium concentration is 10 times more than that of milk, giving it one of the highest concentration of calcium of any food. 

https://www.amazon.com/Ahana-Nutrition-Organic-Sea-Kelp/dp/B07BSKP7GY

Although the giant kelp cannot be eaten as it is by humans, due to its indigestible carbohydrate content, there are definitely numerous nutrients and compounds that can be derived from it that are beneficial to us. 

This specific kelp is also cosmetically beneficial. As a girl in the 21st century, I am quite obsessed with cosmetics and various facial and hair treatments! What interested me the most is that the kelp’s iodine content is known to remove free radicals from human blood cells, which are chemicals that accelerate aging. 

Here is a real testimonial of someone who tested the kelp face mask treatment!

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sea-kelp-face-mask-review_n_6941276

The image below is of a product I have tried myself and plan on purchasing again. To the left is a seaweed facemask and to the right is undereye seaweed mask that splits into two pieces that you then place under your eye. (Both can be found at https://www.lushusa.com/) Of thousands of other products exist out there because they have been proven to leave a refreshed, glowing face and reducing inflammation!

 

http://allthingslushuk.blogspot.com/2018/10/mortal-kombu-under-eye-mask.html

Of course, some risks always remain as with any supplement. This may include heavy metals that the kelp might have absorbed while growing in polluted waters, therefore, you must confirm that your product has been grown in clean waters. Another could be false advertising or labeling. Some brands sell products that contain various types of algae, but choose to label it all as “kelp.” Bladderwrack, for example, is a different species of brown algae. This species is in fact known to worsen acne and skin problems, which the consumer probably didn’t know because it was labeled as just kelp. Always be careful of what you are purchasing and do your research! 

Well, this ends our journey on discovering new things about the Giant Kelp. I hope you, just as much as I have, have come to know and appreciate this organism more than before. I hope our new found appreciation makes us more aware of the dangers this organism is facing and how it is becoming more and more threatened by our own actions. 

You can help by donating to organizations like Oceana! “We have already protected over 3.5 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea turtles, sharks, dolphins, and other sea creatures – but there is still more to be done.” Below is a link to donate to this worthy cause, because it’s not just the kelp we are saving, but the entire ecosystem around it. Together, we can help the kelp!

https://act.oceana.org/page/37193/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=PM_2018