Menopause is a time of great bodily change and upheaval for women as their hormones—specifically progesterone and estrogen—begin to fluctuate, leaving a host of unpleasant side effects in their wake. This transitional period can last several years, during which women might experience hot flashes, night sweats, dryness, sleeplessness, incontinence, and mood swings.

Currently, the primary form of menopause treatment is pharmaceuticals and hormone replacement therapies that attempt to re-balance levels of progesterone. However, often these options present just as many unpleasant side effects as menopause itself, so more and more women are turning to natural remedies, supplements, and diet modifications for symptom relief. Among one of the best natural options is seaweed, which is packed with nutrients that provide many benefits for alleviating menopausal symptoms. 

  • Mood swings and depression: The prebiotics, antioxidants, and magnesium contained in seaweed have been shown to combat mood disorders and depression sometimes brought on by fluctuating hormones. Prebiotics maintain gut health and stimulate serotonin production, antioxidants fight free radical damage, and proper magnesium levels are essential in promoting the neuronal wellness that is required for improved mental health. Seaweed is full of these key nutrients that help stabilize mood swings and prevent postmenopausal depression without relying on pharmaceutical intervention.
  • Cancer prevention: Postmenopausal women are more susceptible to breast and uterine cancers, and a study performed by Jane Teas in 2013 proposed that seaweed can help reduce this risk by reducing plasma cholesterol, decreasing angiogenesis, increasing tumor cell apoptosis, and elevating immune responses. These findings have been widely supported by multiple studies and the exact mechanisms of the anti-carcinogenic properties of seaweed are being carefully studied. 
  • Hormone stabilization: Most symptoms of menopause are due to fluctuating estrogen levels, which hormone replacement therapy seeks to stabilize. However, research by Teas has shown that chemicals in seaweed may help accomplish this stabilization naturally. In her studies, she found that regular consumption of seaweed greatly reduced symptoms of pain, bleeding, and PMS in menopausal and perimenopausal women. Additionally, seaweed contains large amounts of iodine, an essential mineral for good thyroid function. The thyroid is a workhorse in anyone’s body because of its role in energy, digestion, and mood, but its role in hormone production makes it especially important to a menopausal woman. Seaweed provides a natural way to help stabilize these hormonal changes and support the thyroid gland, thus increasing overall well-being during menopause. 
  • General wellness: The changes wrought on the body during this time in a woman’s life mean that overall health often declines and nutrient deficiencies emerge. During the beginning of menopause, it is crucial that adequate vitamins and minerals are incorporated into the diet to prevent age-related decline and diseases such as osteoporosis, arthritis, and hypertension. Seaweed is packed with a dense array of essential vitamins and minerals—including several B vitamins, potassium, and iodine that help maintain good health and general well-being as well as reduce the unpleasant effects of multiple menopausal symptoms.

Seaweed is easy to incorporate into a diet. All it takes is a little imagination. Whether you want to roll your favorite ingredients inside of seaweed or use it in a supplement, you’ll get all of these amazing (and surprising) seaweed benefits. 

Seaweed is an invaluable addition to any diet, and taking Sea Veg® supplements is an effortless way to be proactive about your health. Whether you’re a health nut or just casually interested in adding nutritional value to your diet, Sea Veg®’s is sure to have a product suited to you. Sustainably harvested from pristine oceans across the globe, Sea Veg 90®, Sea Veg 180®, Super Sea Veg 180®, Sea Veg Junior®, and Sea Veggy Tails® supplements contain a unique premium blend of 12 nutrient-rich sea plant species. If you’re committed to ecological health consciousness and empowering your health, Sea Veg®‘s line of 100% organic, vegan, gluten-free, whole food supplements are perfect for you.