This article is for educational and general wellness purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are noticing changes in your body or have questions about your health, please consult a knowledgeable healthcare provider.

Per the study, researchers found that seaweed appeared to be associated with changes in estrogen-related markers in the study group — and that these changes may also involve shifts in colonic bacteria. They also noted that the high levels of soy in the diet could be a contributing factor. Worth keeping in mind: this was a small study, done on 15 women over seven weeks, using a study group and a control group who took maltodextrin. Interesting, but early days.

The women in the study were given an Alaria seaweed supplement — something that can be ordered online or bought from health stores. Alaria (Alaria esculenta) is a brown seaweed species usually found ten to thirty or more feet below the high tide line in the sub-tidal zone. In North America, Alaria is often known as winged kelp, and the Latin name Alaria esculenta literally translates as "edible wing." Alaria is rich in minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium. It also contains vitamins — notably vitamins A, B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), and C (ascorbic acid). Alaria is a good source of dietary fiber, and it has a respectable protein content — about 12% in the dried product, the most of any brown sea vegetable.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19321575/