As a vegan of many years, I have tried quite a range of dietary supplements to ensure I get the specific nutrients that I need to stay healthy. But time and again, I find myself returning to Doctor Seaweed’s capsules without really wondering why. So, I figured it was time to give it a bit more thought, particularly as the brand had recently contacted me to see if I’d like to try out another one of their products. And when I considered what it is that I really like about this range of supplements, it all became rather obvious. Here, my Doctor Seaweed review explains why.
Pros
- Natural & sustainable
- Appropriate nutrients
- Health improvements
- Good value
Cons
- Slight odour
- Some non-vegan products
Use discount code VEGANMUM20 for 20% off
Is seaweed good for you?
There certainly appear to be many benefits to seaweed, although many people – me included – aren’t keen on the taste and don’t necessarily know how to cook with it either. That’s why I prefer to reap some of the benefits by taking a seaweed supplement instead and as a vegan in particular, this is an excellent natural source of iodine. It also means that I can be pretty sure about the amount of iodine that I’m getting. If you’d like more information about seaweed, take a look at this Medical News Today article.
My experience of taking Doctor Seaweed supplements
After a routine blood test showed me to be low in B12 and in the thyroid-stimulating hormone TSH (caused by low iodine levels) I was concerned and a little surprised. But as I learnt more, I realised that it reflected the difficulty of getting adequate amounts of iodine and B12 into a vegan diet, even though I use fortified products like nutritional yeast and certain plant milks.
Consequently, because I couldn’t be sure about the ingredients in the prescription medicines I was offered, I looked for a plant-based ‘over the counter’ option and that’s when I discovered Doctor Seaweed. And after taking their seaweed capsules for a few months, a subsequent blood test showed my levels were significantly improved and had reached an acceptable range which was amazing.
Since then, I have regularly taken their Immunity+ which help to boost my Vitamin D3 as well as iodine and B12. I particularly like this supplement because it matches exactly the nutrients that I’m missing from my diet without overloading me with artificially high levels of them, and without piling in a load of other vitamins and minerals that I may not need. Because of that, I really think this is the perfect supplement for a healthy and varied vegan diet.
That said, there are times when you need more, so I was pleased when Doctor Seaweed recently asked me to try out their Beauty+ capsules (I need all the help I can get to be honest)! This is a collagen-boosting supplement containing Vitamin C, zinc and several other elements that encourage your body to produce its own collagen and like other products from their range, it doesn’t overload you with excessive amounts of ingredients or nutrients. It just gives you what you need and I really like that.
I’ve been taking it for a few weeks now – probably far too soon to see any obvious benefits – but based on my experience with their Immunity+, I’m very optimistic. I know that as we age, collagen production reduces significantly so I’m hoping this will give me the building blocks to improve that, particularly because I weight train 4 days a week and know that increasing collagen levels can boost performance and help with muscle recovery. It’s hard to measure precisely, but I do think I’m already seeing a slight reduction in my muscle soreness after exercising – the face may just take a bit longer…fingers crossed!
I like that these seaweed supplements are natural and sustainable
A lot of supplements contain nutrients that have been synthesised or extracted and whilst that’s not necessarily always a bad thing, if I can find an equally effective natural alternative, then I will. And all Doctor Seaweed supplements are just that, based around their seaweed which is wild harvested from the waters around Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, then dried and milled ready to go into the capsules (along with other relevant nutrients relevant to the supplement’s purpose). That’s one of the reasons why I like them so much.
You can read more about their harvesting process here, which seems very sustainable. I’m also pleased that this brand has completely ditched their old packaging, which included plastic blister packs, and have embraced new compostable packaging for all their supplements. Great news.
Use discount code VEGANMUM20 for 20% off
The nutrients are relevant and at appropriate levels
This is really important for me. Doctor Seaweed capsules across their range don’t seem to go overboard with the nutrients they are adding in – either the number of them, or the level. The ingredients and nutritional contents are simple, straightforward, and very focused on the purpose of the specific supplement.
When I take a close look at the nutritional information on some dietary supplements, I often find % nutrient reference values (NRV – the recommended daily amount of any given vitamin or mineral) at alarmingly high levels – sometimes as high as 1-2000% NRV. And whilst nutritionists working for these brands say that your body simply excretes the excess away, I’m not always convinced that it’s the right thing to be putting into your body. In addition, they can contain long lists of other nutrients that I think are superfluous, even excessive.
Just another reason why I like this brand’s supplements so much.
I’ve seen definite health improvements
As I mentioned previously, blood tests showed that after taking Doctor Seaweed Immunity+ for several months, my B12 and thyroid hormones had both returned to normal levels having been previously too low. And because I hadn’t changed anything else, I can only attribute that improvement to this supplement.
Not only that, as a regular gym-go’er and user of trains and the tube in London, I used to get one cold after another and some winters could just feel like one long illness. It’s quite probable that this was because I was low on vitamin D and B12 (and not getting enough iodine either) because they are important factors in how well your immune system works. Consequently, I feel pretty confident in being able to say that taking this supplement has put that right because I actually can’t remember the last time I had a cold or any other similar viral infection.
And as I am beginning to see a small improvement in my self-inflicted, gym-related muscle recovery times too, I’m hoping for the same results from their Beauty+ capsules too!
Much of their range is good value
I would always like to think that things could be cheaper, and this brand’s products are no different. However, I think the Immunity+ range is competitively priced when looking at alternative brands, so pretty good value for money (although the Beauty+ is slightly more expensive). However, it is difficult to compare price when this product is using such high quality, natural ingredients – maybe you get what you pay for!
And you can make savings too by buying direct from their online shop (via one of the links on this page), using my VEGANMUM20 20% discount code, or taking out an easy to manage subscription.
I do detect a slight odour
I can get a hint of the sea when I take these capsules, but it’s not overpowering and they don’t ‘repeat’ once I’ve taken them – so, no algae-inspired burps fortunately! And at least you know it’s got seaweed in it and not something that has just been synthesised in a laboratory somewhere! But seriously, if it were too strong, I probably couldn’t stomach it; this really is a very low odour that’s gone as soon as you swallow it.
Some of their supplements are not vegan
I can’t hide that I was disappointed to find that the brand has recently introduced some non-vegan supplements into their range, including a marine-based collagen that contains fish. It’s something to watch out for in their online shop if you are vegan or plant-based because everything on their website still suggests they are plant-based, although individual products are very clearly labelled.
My verdict of this Doctor Seaweed review
It’s fair to say that I’m a fan of this brand and I have been a long term customer of theirs, having bought the Immunity+ supplement for a long time. And the name is pretty appropriate too because I am rarely ill since taking them, despite the obligatory germ-sharing that goes on in the gym and elsewhere!
Not only that, because of my original experience of taking them and then seeing the significant rise in my blood count of B12 and TSH (the thyroid hormone) I have a lot of confidence that these seaweed supplements really do work. And it’s not only me that thinks so – a host of other independent online Doctor Seaweed reviews are very positive too.
And although I would love it if they were a little cheaper, they are competitively priced in comparison to other vegan supplements. In addition, I know that as a vegan I need to boost a very small number of nutrients and because of that, I want to make sure the supplements I buy are worthwhile. And in my experience, Doctor Seaweed supplements are exactly that, so I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.
Discount code for Doctor Seaweed: VEGANMUM20
I hope you have enjoyed this Doctor Seaweed review. You can also read more about their Focus+ product in my Best Vegan Omega 3 supplements guide. You can also find some of my other articles on vegan supplements below:
Leave a Reply