Can eating kelp help treat anemia?

Aug 13, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I have anemia. I heard from others that seaweed is especially good for replenishing blood. Can eating seaweed help with anemia?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng

Eating kelp can play a certain auxiliary role in improving anemia, but it cannot serve as a standalone treatment for anemia.

Anemia is a common blood disorder primarily characterized by a lower than normal number of red blood cells or hemoglobin concentration in the blood. Kelp, as an algae food rich in iodine, iron, vitamin B12, and other nutrients, contains vitamins essential for red blood cell maturation. It can promote bone marrow hematopoietic function and help prevent megaloblastic anemia, offering certain benefits in the prevention and improvement of some types of anemia. Additionally, the iodine content in kelp helps maintain normal thyroid function, which indirectly has a positive impact on the body's metabolism and hematopoietic function.

As a common food ingredient, kelp is rich in iron, vitamins, and various trace elements. These nutrients can help anemic patients replenish iron and energy in the body, providing certain auxiliary benefits for recovery from illness, especially for patients with iron-deficiency anemia.

Consuming more kelp can effectively alleviate symptoms of anemia and prevent worsening of the condition. Although kelp is beneficial, relying solely on dietary adjustments is insufficient to achieve therapeutic effects; targeted treatment under the guidance of a professional physician is necessary. Therefore, in daily diets, one should maintain a light diet, avoid staying up late and overexertion, prevent cold exposure, and primarily consume easily digestible soft foods.