“Bladderwrack?”Here!bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus)
Hasn’t appeared in a scanned product yet.
As a supplement
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Roll Call does not check drug interactions or assess personal safety.
A brown seaweed that grows along the North Atlantic and North Sea coasts, dried and ground for use in supplements and older traditional preparations.
Why it’s used
Taken mainly as a source of iodine and, traditionally, for claims related to thyroid function and metabolism.
What the evidence says
NIH ODS notes that seaweeds, including bladderwrack, can be a source of dietary iodine, but their iodine content varies widely and is largely unregulated from product to product. Direct clinical trials testing bladderwrack itself for thyroid function, weight, or other claimed effects are lacking.
Context
Because iodine content in seaweed products is inconsistent, published dosing studies for bladderwrack as a defined ingredient are not available.
Rumors
Bladderwrack helps you lose weight and boosts energy.
Not gradedhealth and safety evidence
Sources cited — no verdict reached.
What was measured is not yet noted.
- Assessment report on Fucus vesiculosus L., thallus (Regulatory) · Funding not checked
- Community herbal monograph on Fucus vesiculosus L., thallus (Regulatory) · Funding not checked
Who’s saying this
- iherb.com — we couldn’t open the site to see who runs it
Bladderwrack reduces inflammation and relieves joint pain.
Does not support — establishedhealth and safety evidence
Studied in: adults with mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis of the hip or knee.
Measured as an outcome.
- Effects of fucoidan from Fucus vesiculosus in reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial (Peer-reviewed) · Funded by Australian government and Marinova Pty Ltd (industry) · Authors declare a conflict of interest
- Assessment report on Fucus vesiculosus L., thallus (Regulatory) · Funding not checked
- Fucoidan as a Promising Drug for Pain Treatment: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Peer-reviewed) · Funding not clearly stated · No conflicts declared
Who’s saying this
- Minimo Nutrition — a brand: sells clean supplements
How we know who this is
- “Minimo Nutrition is committed to delivering clean supplements that don't contain seed oils, added sugar, artificial sweeteners, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).” (their page)
Bladderwrack detoxifies the body by removing metals.
Not gradedhealth and safety evidence
Sources cited — no verdict reached.
What was measured is not yet noted.
- The Long-Term Algae Extract (Chlorella and Fucus sp) and Aminosulphurate Supplementation Modulate SOD-1 Activity and Decrease Heavy Metals (Hg++, Sn) Levels in Patients with Long-Term Dental Titanium Implants and Amalgam Fillings Restorations (Peer-reviewed) · Funded by CIROM (Murcia, Spain); Nutergia Laboratories (industry) · No conflicts declared
Who’s saying this
- iherb.com — we couldn’t open the site to see who runs it
Bladderwrack supplements carry high levels of iodine, salt and heavy metals that pose health risks, including worsening thyroid disorders.
Supports — establishedhealth and safety evidence
Measured as a biomarker.
- Assessment report on Fucus vesiculosus L., thallus (Regulatory) · Funding not checked
- Community herbal monograph on Fucus vesiculosus L., thallus (Regulatory) · Funding not checked
Who’s saying this
- Healthline — a publisher: health information publisher; part of RVO Health, backed by Red Ventures and UnitedHealth Group's Optum
How we know who this is
- “Healthline is a digital publisher and does not offer personal health or medical advice.” (their page)
- “Healthline is part of RVO Health, a company backed by Red Ventures and UnitedHealth Group’s Optum.” (their page)
Bladderwrack supports thyroid function and thyroid hormone production because of its iodine.
Not gradedhealth and safety evidence
Sources cited — no verdict reached.
What was measured is not yet noted.
- Community herbal monograph on Fucus vesiculosus L., thallus (Regulatory) · Funding not checked
Who’s saying this
- Swanson Vitamins — a brand: sells its own vitamins and supplements
How we know who this is
- “At Swanson Vitamins, integrity means you get exactly what's promised: Safe, pure, effective supplements that you can trust.” (their page)