Bladderwrack: Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects

Bladderwrack is a natural remedy that has been used for centuries. It is a brown seaweed that is edible. Bladderwrack is available in many forms, such as dried, powdered, as a tea, or as a herbal supplement, especially in traditional medicine for thyroid issues. But its effectiveness remains questionable.

Bladderwrack is a type of brown seaweed that is believed to be associated with traditional medicine. It is known by many other names including bladder fucus, dyer’s fucus, rock wreck, rockweed, and black tang.

Bladderwrack grows mostly on the coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the North and Baltic Seas, as well as various waters of Canada and the United States. Bladderwrack is a herb growing up to 35 inches (90 cm) tall.

It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a variety of conditions, such as, severe obesity, severe joint pain, discoloration or aging of the skin, digestive problems, urinary tract infections, and thyroid dysfunction, including hyperthyroidism, and poor development of hypothyroidism.

It is particularly rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, leading some users to believe that bladderwrack’s impressive nutrient profile may provide health benefits, although some critics argue that these claims are inconsistent with research.

This article about bladderwrack tells you everything you need to know and is looking for, including some of its benefits, uses, and some of its side effects.

What is Bladderwrack?

Bladderwrack, also known as Fucus vesiculosus, is a type of edible brown seaweed that belongs to the kelp family. This nutrient-dense seaweed has been a staple in alternative and folk medicine for centuries, revered for its high nutritional value, particularly its iodine content. Bladderwrack is rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a powerhouse of nutrients. Historically, it has been used to address various health issues, including thyroid disorders, iodine deficiency, and digestive problems. Its exceptional combination of macro- and micronutrients makes it a valuable addition to a balanced diet.

Bladderwrack nutrition

For ages, seaweed has been known as a powerful nutrient in many cultures and people have included it as part of their regular diet. Bladderwrack is a seaweed that is rich in vitamins and minerals, including calcium, iodine, magnesium, potassium, sodium, zinc, and vitamins A and C. Another great quality of this is that it contains high amounts of phytochemicals. Alginic acid in bladderwrack can help mitigate the effects of stomach acid and alleviate symptoms of GERD.

Another great quality of bladderwrack is that it is rich in fiber, which is helpful for a healthy intestine of the body. It is particularly beneficial due to its high content of alginic acid and fucoidan, which have been shown to have health-promoting properties

Health claims

There is little proof to support the use of bladderwrack for weight reduction, arthritis, joint pain, fertility, and urinary tract infections, despite several bladder health claims. Most of the research on bladderwrack focuses on its potential effects on conditions such as thyroid disease and skin health, as well as its anti-inflammatory properties.

Thyroid health

Iodine is an element that produces the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), and bladderwrack’s high iodine content helps support thyroid health. Your metabolism is regulated by these hormones, which also promote healthy growth and neurological development.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

It contains a variety of properties, from phlorotannins to other antioxidants such as fucoxanthin, alginic acid, fucoidan, and vitamins A and C. Phlorotannins and fucoxanthin, two of its greatest qualities, are well-known for their potent antioxidant activity and capacity to eliminate free radicals.

Free radicals are considered to be harmful compounds because they can damage cells and lead to chronic diseases and premature aging. There have been some test-tube and rat studies that have shown that algae like bladderwrack have promising anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce the risk of developing tumors, blood sugar levels, and heart disease.

Additionally, a large survey of 40,700 men and 45,450 women found that daily intake of wrack seaweed, which contains compounds similar to bladderwrack, reduced the risk of heart disease such as heart attack or blockage by 14%.

Beyond this and others, there have been very few human trials that show modest benefits in blood sugar control.

Digestive Health and Bladderwrack

Bladderwrack is known for its positive impact on digestive health, thanks to its high content of dietary fiber and alginic acid. Alginic acid helps to soothe the sensitive stomach lining and reduce inflammation, making bladderwrack an effective natural remedy for conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), peptic ulcers, and stomach ulcers. Additionally, the dietary fiber in bladderwrack promotes regular bowel movements and helps prevent constipation. Its anti-inflammatory properties also make it a potential natural remedy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), providing relief from discomfort and promoting overall digestive health.

Skin health bladderwrack

The use of bladderwrack is also very helpful for skin problems such as cellulite, skin aging such as wrinkles or even an aging appearance, and can be helpful as a topical treatment for irritations. Extensive research has shown that the antioxidant properties of bladderwrack, namely fucoidan, can help stimulate the right amount of collagen combination in the skin, which can help improve appearance of cellulite, as well as enhance skin healing and delay premature skin aging, also known as skin sagging.

In the initial stage of a two-stage investigation, users who applied bladderwrack extract to skin samples experienced a 230% increase in collagen production in the skin, while the second phase showed no significant improvement in the control group.

What things should be kept in mind and what precautions should be taken before using Bladderwrack?

• Always consult your doctor before using bladder wrack or any other natural product. Some products may not produce accurate results when combined with medications or other natural products.
• Sometimes this product can cause the effect of interfering with some laboratory tests. Whatever form of bladderwrack you are using or whether it is a medicine, do not forget to consult your doctor before using them.
• If you are going to have any surgery or tests, be sure to inform your doctor that you are taking this product and in which form you are taking it.
• This product should not be used by pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant. Use a form of birth control that you can trust or consult your doctor while taking this product.
• Do not use this Bladderwrack if you are breastfeeding a child.
• Keep Bladderwrack products away from children It is recommended for adults.
• It is advisable not to use bladderwrack with medicines that contain hormones, in addition, caution should be exercised. These are medicines such as birth control pills and hormone replacement.
• Users who are suffering from any allergy or take medicines that increase iodine in the body need to take extra caution or use this product after consulting a good doctor.
• You need to be extra careful if you are taking cholesterol-related or blood-thinning medicines. These medicines are related to warfarin, heparin or enoxaparin.
• If you are suffering from any inflammatory disease and are taking medicines for it, then you need to be more careful. These are medicines like anti-inflammatory, nonsteroidal drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, ibuprofen.
• Users taking thyroid medications need to consult a doctor first and take extra precautions. These products are similar to thyroid desiccated levothyroxine liotrix.
• Be alert if you are suffering from these diseases:

1.    bleeding problems

2.    thyroid problems

3.    diabetes

Interactions with Medications

Bladderwrack may interact with certain medications, so it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before incorporating bladderwrack supplements into your routine. Individuals taking thyroid hormone medications, blood thinners, or antiarrhythmic medications should exercise caution. Bladderwrack’s high iodine content can exacerbate certain thyroid conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, making it essential to seek medical advice before using it as a treatment. Always discuss with your doctor to ensure that bladderwrack is safe and appropriate for your specific health needs.

Safe and Effective Dosage

There is no officially recommended dose for bladderwrack, but most bladderwrack supplements are available in 500 mg doses. Bladderwrack powder can be used as a seasoning in stews, soups, salads, and smoothies, or combined with water or facial scrubs for skin-related benefits. Bladderwrack tea can be made by steeping the dried seaweed in hot water, offering a soothing and nutritious beverage. It is essential to consult a healthcare professional before using bladderwrack supplements, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications. This ensures that you can safely enjoy the benefits of this versatile seaweed.

What are the Precautions and side effects of bladderwrack supplements

Although Bladderwreck is known by most people to be a safe product, it has been found that Bladderwreck may cause some unwanted side effects. It's evidenced that bladderwrack is possibly safe to apply to the skin.

Avoid applying Bladderwreck to open wounds or burns. If you experience any adverse reactions such as skin rashes or any other allergic reactions, stop using this product immediately. Just like other seaweed fertilizers are recommended to be consumed in moderation, bladderwrack is safe when consumed in moderation.

However, BLADDERWRACK contains a large amount of iodine, salt, and other heavy metals, which can pose a risk to one's health, especially when taken as a supplement in your routine.

In one instance, a 65-year-old man who took doses of bladderwrack and lithium, a drug used to treat bipolar disorder, developed hyperthyroidism.

As mentioned in this article, bladderwrack can be fatal for pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people suffering from thyroid disorders should also avoid consuming it.

Until further research confirms this, avoid taking any form of bladderwrack supplements and seek advice from an experienced healthcare provider before eating or drinking any of it.

What should I pay attention to?

• Discomfortable stomach
• Cramps in the stomach
• Rash in skin
• Swelling in any part of the body

When should I call or Visit the Doctor?

• Signs of a very serious or bad reaction: These include sudden wheezing, chest tightness or excessive sweating, signs of fever, itching in any part of the body, bad cough, burning or bluish skin, sudden seizures or swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, hands or throat. Contact a doctor immediately and go to the emergency room.
• These include signs of thyroid problems: The most common signs of thyroid problems include weight loss without any reason, sudden rapid heartbeat or tremors.
• Symptoms of high blood pressure: The most common symptoms of high blood pressure include severe headache, feeling anxious, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or nosebleeds.
• Swelling in the neck, especially at the back
• Very loose stools
• Any bruising or bleeding from an area that is not normal
• An early or late period, such as heavy bleeding, spotting, or bleeding between cycles

How much are the amounts and dosages guided for this product?

It is not confirmed anywhere that there is an officially recommended dosage for bladderwrack. As everyone has different health problems, more research is needed to determine which forms and doses are most effective for each condition. Please follow the instructions given on the packaging of Bladderwrack supplement before using it.

The final result

While most health claims are based on this, some limited research supports it as an effective and beneficial treatment for bladderwrack-related problems, such as obesity, joint inflammation or pain, fertility, and severe urinary tract infections.

Before using a bladderwrack product, consult your healthcare provider to make sure it is right for you. Although it can be taken in any form, it is better to use it as per the advice of a doctor. (1,2)