{"id":630141,"date":"2024-10-25T09:30:09","date_gmt":"2024-10-25T13:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630141"},"modified":"2024-10-21T10:57:22","modified_gmt":"2024-10-21T14:57:22","slug":"how-long-does-sea-moss-take-to-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-long-does-sea-moss-take-to-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How long does it take for sea moss to start working?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re following the latest supplement trends, you might have heard that <\/span>Irish sea moss<\/span><\/a>, a specific type of seaweed belonging to the red algae family, <\/span>contains several important nutrients like iodine and calcium. Irish moss, or <\/span>Chondrus crispus<\/span><\/i>, is harvested from the Atlantic Ocean and then converted into supplement form as a liquid extract, capsule, gummy, powder, or even a gel. Adding it to your diet may improve some aspects of your health. Research is still being conducted, but some people think <\/span>sea moss can support<\/span><\/a> your skin health, immune system, and digestive health.<\/span><\/p>\n

In general, sea moss is absorbed fairly quickly by the body. You may start seeing benefits to your digestion and energy levels about one week after you begin taking it, says <\/span>Kimberley Wiemann<\/span><\/a>, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian and owner of Kimberley Wiemann Nutrition LLC<\/span>. However,<\/span> some long-term health benefits require more patience. Here\u2019s what to expect after you begin taking sea moss.<\/span><\/p>\n

How long does it take for sea moss to start working in your body?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Nutrient-rich sea moss is usually absorbed within a few hours after you consume it, according to <\/span>Inna Melamed<\/span><\/a>, Pharm.D., functional medicine practitioner and author of <\/span>Digestive Reset. <\/span><\/i>However, some things can affect the rate of absorption, like the form you take (i.e., sea moss gel or sea moss powder) and your body\u2019s digestion.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Wiemann noted, some positive changes to your body may start happening within a week of beginning sea moss, like better digestion and more energy, especially if you were <\/span>deficient in iodine<\/span><\/a> before you began taking it. However, if you\u2019re using sea moss for improvements like weight loss and better <\/span>heart health<\/span><\/a>, those won\u2019t be quick fixes. \u201cPeople looking to lose weight should not expect sea moss to provide quick and dramatic results,\u201d Wiemann says. \u201cChanges in those areas naturally take a longer time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s also not definitive that sea moss can affect those changes, either. A <\/span>2020 review<\/span><\/a> of studies suggests that red algae supplementation may be an effective way to reduce body fat over time. Still, so far, most studies have been performed on rodents and have not specifically studied <\/span>Chondrus crispus<\/span><\/i>. One <\/span>2019 study<\/span><\/a>, for example, found that adults with obesity or who were overweight lost body weight and body fat mass after 12 weeks of supplementation with a type of red algae called <\/span>Gelidium elegans<\/span><\/i>, but only 78 adults were included in the study.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re just starting out taking sea moss, be patient and consistent with your supplementation, says Dr. Melamed. Some research suggests there are cumulative effects of sea moss, so the longer you take it, the more effective it may become.<\/span><\/p>\n

How do you know when sea moss is working?<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you were deficient in any of the nutrients found in sea moss before you started supplementing with it, you may be able to tell when your sea moss supplement is working. For many people, improvements in <\/span>digestive health<\/span><\/a> are the first noticeable changes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSea moss contains fiber, which promotes healthy gut functioning, and it\u2019s also a form of prebiotics, which help to feed the healthy bacteria in the gut,\u201d Wiemann says. This combination of added fiber and prebiotics can promote healthy gut flora and more regular bowel movements, which can improve symptoms of constipation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another noticeable sign early on may be an increase in energy, especially if you have <\/span>thyroid problems<\/span><\/a>. Because <\/span>iodine levels<\/span><\/a> are closely linked to thyroid function, replenishing your iodine levels with sea moss (especially in those who are deficient) can improve your energy and leave you feeling less fatigued. If you have a thyroid condition, consult your healthcare provider before using sea moss.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, if you\u2019re concerned about your iodine levels and are considering taking sea moss to increase them, it\u2019s important to work with a healthcare professional to monitor your iodine and determine the right level for you. Consuming <\/span>too much iodine<\/span><\/a> can cause acute symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and oral discomfort, as well as more serious problems like thyroid dysfunction.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>7 benefits of sea moss for women<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Factors that affect sea moss efficacy<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are a few things that might make sea moss work better for you.<\/span><\/p>\n