Can Kelp Supplements Help Obese Children?

Many adults take kelp, a natural source of iodine, to boost their own thyroid function and combat obesity. This simple, natural treatment is highly effective when obesity is the result of iodine-deficiency and hypothyroidism, but prolonged supplementation with kelp may cause or worsen thyroid disease, especially if the problem is caused by something other than iodine deficiency. Though it can be an effective treatment under some circumstances, it is a dangerous roulette unless the problem has been definitively diagnosed.

Parents who believe that their children have hypothyroidism caused by iodine deficiency should check with their children's doctors, who may request a blood test to confirm the possibility. If iodine deficiency does appear to be an underlying problem, kelp supplementation may prove to be incredibly useful, but it should not be used without maintaining an accurate diagnosis from the child's physician.

Childhood obesity is a serious epidemic that requires immediate attention. Though no single supplement can act as a panacea and fully cure a child of his weight problems, some supplements might help to combat the underlying causes and potential symptoms of obesity.