Kelp Supplements May Contain Arsenic
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By CP Staff
A new study has found that kelp supplements may be contaminated with arsenic.
Individuals consume kelp supplements as a way to increase their iodine intake. However, research is now indicating that kelp supplements may be contaminated with heavy metals.
Researchers decided to investigate the arsenic levels in kelp supplements when a 54-year-old woman was referred to the University of California, Davis, Occupational Medicine Clinic. The woman had a 2-year history of worsening alopecia and memory loss. She also reported having a rash, increasing fatigue, nausea, and vomiting, disabling her to the point where she could no longer work full-time. A thorough exposure history revealed that she took daily kelp supplements. A urine sample showed a high arsenic level. A sample from the woman’s kelp supplements contained 8.5 mg/kg (ppm) arsenic. Within weeks of discontinuing the supplements, her symptoms resolved and arsenic blood and urine levels were undetectable.
This case history led the researchers to evaluate the extent of arsenic contamination in commercially available kelp. They analyzed nine samples randomly obtained from local health food stores. Eight of the nine samples showed detectable levels of arsenic higher than the Food and Drug Administration tolerance level of 0.5 to 2 ppm for certain food products.
Reference
Amster E, Tiwary A, Schenker MB. Case Report: Potential Arsenic Toxicosis Secondary to Herbal Kelp Supplement. Environmental Health Perspectives. April 2007;115(4).
This study indicates that Iodoral™, a natural iodine supplement , may provide a safer way to consume iodine. Compared to kelp, Iodoral also contains more nourishing quantities of iodine.