Are there any cautions for using Irish Sea Moss?

The research into Irish Sea Moss and its health benefits or negative effects isn’t substantial with mostly animal studies leading the way. There are however some things to consider when using Irish Sea Moss.

• There are valid concerns about the degradation of one of the active component of Irish Moss, carrageenan and how it affects our health. Carrageenan is extracted from the algae and used as a food additive to stabilise or thicken processed foods. It’s not the same as sea moss in its whole food form.
• For people with autoimmune thyroid diseases, like Hashimoto’s, too much iodine from any source can trigger hypothyroidism.
• While it is rare, you can consume too much iodine which long term can lead to the enlargement of the thyroid gland and inflammation. It is, therefore, important to consider how much Sea Moss you are consuming. However, iodine deficiency is particularly common in women.
• As with any nutrition supplement, it is important you are purchasing a quality product from a trusted source due to impurities, additives and poor labelling that could negatively affect your health. Read the labels and do your research!
• Beauty products containing Sea Moss can also be misleading. Be cautious of products that read “organic” as there is no true legislation around this when it comes to skincare and “extract” as this may refer to the compound, carrageenan.  

One thing to keep in mind is that although there have been several animal studies researching the health benefits of Sea Moss, there is still a need for human-controlled trials to support these claims. However, due to the beneficial vitamin and mineral content, Irish Sea Moss is likely to be a good addition to a balanced and healthy whole food diet.