Dr Seaweed

Dr Seaweed’s Weed & Wonderful Q&A

Doctor Seaweed (aka Dr Craig Rose) is a marine biologist who is passionate about brining the wonderful benefits of seaweed into your life. We caught up with him to talk about his Weed and Wonderful range to find out more about the wonderful benefits of seaweed!

What inspired you to create Doctor Seaweed’s Weed & Wonderful?

As a marine biologist, I have always loved working with the sea, and when researching the huge opportunity to sustainably use seaweed to address key nutritional needs, I wanted to find a way to get these benefits to people in easy-to-use ways.
This led to the launch of my range of supplements, all based around our organic Scottish seaweed. The core message is that seaweed isn’t weird…it’s wonderful, and with the promise that they will make you feel wonderful. This is all rooted in nature and backed by science.

What is so special about seaweed?

Seaweed is a group of around 10,000 different species that are found all over the world. They drawdown huge amounts of carbon, absorb nutrients in the water, provide food and habitat for other marine organisms, and protect our coastlines from erosion and flooding. Most importantly for us however, is the key nutrients that seaweed can provide, and in a sustainable way. This is why seaweed is always highlighted as the future food.
For the seaweed used in Doctor Seaweed’s Weed & Wonderful, there are all the minerals present, and specifically iodine. Over 80% of women in the UK do not get enough of this essential nutrient in their diet, and seaweed is actually the only natural plant-based source.

Is eating seaweed a new thing?

Amazingly, almost every culture around the world has used seaweed at some point in its history to eat for nutrition, put on the land and feed to animals. It is very much a forgotten food, and which Doctor Seaweed’s Weed & Wonderful is re-discovering in a sustainable way from Scottish seas.

Are your products suitable for vegetarians and vegans?

Our products are suitable for vegans and vegetarians, and in fact are extremely important for anyone on a more plant-based diet. The key nutrient iodine is lacking in most people’s diets, and since the primary sources are dairy and fish, then those who exclude these foods are at high risk of iodine deficiency. One capsule of Doctor Seaweed’s Weed & Wonderful Pure Seaweed supplement has the equivalent iodine of a portion of haddock. The closest other plant-based source would be peanuts, and which you would need nearly 1,750g everyday as compared to just one 0.5g Pure Seaweed capsule!!

Tell us about the importance of Iodine?

Iodine is a critical nutrient that supports the normal function of the thyroid through the production of thyroid hormones. These hormones impact your brain function, energy and metabolism, skin health, hair, nails, weight gain and loss, and far more. Without sufficient iodine, the thyroid hormones cannot be made as well, and can lead to an underactive (hypothyroidism) thyroid. Please see more about the symptoms here.
Take Doctor Seaweed’s simple 5 question quiz to see if you get enough iodine in your diet.

What other nutrients does seaweed contain which you will find in your capsules?

Seaweed is a highly nutrient dense natural wholefood. In addition to the iodine and it’s multiple nutritional benefits, our seaweed contains specific polyphenols that have been shown to help manage blood sugar and weight management.
Doctor Seaweed’s Weed & Wonderful products contains our unique seaweed plus other natural and plant based ingredients to address specific nutritional and health needs. These can guide which product is right for you.

Ascophyllum in water

Which Doctor Seaweed product is right for me?

Seaweed is wonderful, and makes you feel wonderful by addressing the nutritional deficiencies discussed here. This is the starting point in helping you understand which product is right.

From here, it is about what other aspects of your health may be of concern such as supporting your immunity or being at any stage of the menopause as examples.
See the useful table below to help you decide, and remember you can always take more than one type.

Tell us some more about where the seaweed is harvested from and the process behind it

Our seaweed is harvested in the pristine sea lochs of the Scottish Outer Hebrides. The harvesting using specialised boats that only trim the top section of the seaweed, leaving the majority of the plant in place. The sustainability has been carefully studied and is independently monitored by The Crown Estate and other authorities.

Harvest boat – Outer Hebrides

Do the capsules taste of seaweed?

The capsules contain only natural ingredients, and primarily seaweed. They do not have a strong taste at all for most people and are quite neutral in taste. If you do notice a faint taste of seaweed, it is simply because it is natural and is seaweed!

In your opinion what do you think it is about Doctor Seaweed’s Weed & Wonderful capsules that put them ahead of other supplements?

Quality, science, expertise and passion!
We are all about the natural wonder of seaweed. Doctor Seaweed’s Weed & Wonderful products are all centred on our own seaweed production which is the gold-standard, based around the approved scientific health claims, and with the expertise and backing of Dr Craig Rose (aka Doctor Seaweed). Each product is natural, plant-based, kosher and allergen free.

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