Kelp is a sea vegetable that is a concentrated source of minerals, including iodine, potassium, magnesium, calcium , and iron . Kelp as a source of iodine assists in making thyroid hormones, which are necessary for maintaining normal metabolism in all cells of the body.
Kelp can be one of several brown-colored seaweed species called Laminaria .
People who avoid sea vegetables, as well as dairy, seafood, processed food, and the salt shaker, can become deficient in iodine. Although rare in Western societies, iodine deficiency can cause low thyroid function, goiter, and cretinism. Since the introduction of iodized salt, additional sources of iodine, such as kelp, are unnecessary. However, kelp can be consumed as a source of other minerals. Extremely high intakes of kelp could provide too much iodine and interfere with normal thyroid function.