Kelp is a type of brown algae that usually grows in cool, relatively shallow waters close to the shore. Kelp, also known as kombu in Japanese, is mostly used in Japanese dishes, such as miso soup and udon noodles. Kelp forests are seen along much of the west coast of North America. These underwater towers of kelp provide food and shelter for thousands of fishes, invertebrates, and marine mammal species. Kelp is loaded with nutrients. They have 10 times more minerals compared to other plants that grow in soil. There are many proven benefits of using kelp, which include:
- Prevents hypothyroidism: Your thyroid gland requires iodine for proper functioning. It is necessary to get enough iodine from the diet because our body doesn’t produce adequate iodine. Less iodine would lead to less hormone production in the thyroid, causing hypothyroidism. Kelp provides sufficient iodine to prevent hypothyroidism. Be careful and take kelp in a limited amount. An excess amount of iodine can attribute to thyroid malfunction.
- Diabetes control: The vanadium in kelp could improve blood sugars in type 2 diabetes. Early studies have shown that vanadium is useful in regulating blood sugar. Fucoxanthin present in kelp assists in weight management, which is necessary for diabetes management.
- Prevention of anemia: Kelp is moderately rich in iron, which helps to prevent nutritional anemia. Anemia is low hemoglobin levels of blood due to poor dietary habits or increased blood loss due to piles or menstrual cycle and other causes.
- Improves bone health: Kelp consists of minerals, such as calcium, boron, zinc, copper, and manganese. These are necessary for healthy bones. Vitamin K is a vital nutrient that is useful in improving blood clotting.
- Anti-aging properties: Vitamin C in kelp acts as an antioxidant. Antioxidants curb oxidative stress in the body. Thus, it delays aging and its symptoms, such as wrinkles and age spots.
How to prepare kelp?
Raw kelp can be used in stir-fry dishes, soups, salads, or smoothies. You can add dried kelp while:
- Cooking dried beans
- Adding flavor to soups and broths
You can consume kelp noodles hot or cold or you can also add to:
- Salads
- Sauteed vegetables and protein
U.S. Department of Agriculture. Seaweed, Kelp, Raw. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168457/nutrients
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Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
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