When Mystery Bay’s Lee-Anne Eddie noticed a decline in her health eight years ago, she was yet to realise the best treatment could be found on the shores of her local beach.
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After being diagnosed with a thyroid condition and having little luck with conventional medicine, the 46-year-old explored the area of integrative therapy and natural alternatives.
Working with a therapist in Canberra, Ms Eddie looked into natural ways of increasing her iodine intake and the health benefits of locally-sourced kelp – which is high in vitamins, minerals and macronutrients essential for good thyroid function.
“I started playing around with kelp as I knew it was high in iodine,” Ms Eddie told the Narooma News.
“I began collecting and drying it and, with an integrative therapist, I managed to stop taking my thyroid medication.*
“(Kelp) is really food for general health. I found my synthetic medication was making me worse and I was on a downward slide. Kelp has healed my thyroid.”
Also known as the ocean’s superfood, ecklonia radiata is abundant on beaches of the Far South Coast, with Mystery Bay’s pristine waters the perfect place to source the ‘sea veggie’.
Six weeks after supplementing her diet with kelp, Ms Eddie is back to feeling her best.
“When your thyroid is not working properly, it leaves you really tired and, if untreated, can lead to auto-immune diseases,” she said.
“Now, I feel amazing – the sluggishness is gone and it’s so good for the digestive system.”
“I just thought I was getting older ... I’m so glad I was able to find a natural alternative.”
She now hopes to spread kelp’s goodness with others through her own business, Mystery Bay Kelp.
The kelp is harvested by hand before being dried in the sun and processed into a fine powder, which can be added to anything from salads to smoothies to a stir fry.
“I infuse it into my food really easily – sprinkled on roast veggies, in rice, smoothies, in salads, on meats,” she said.
The superfood has even received a thumbs up from Paul West, of River Cottage Australia fame.
Ms Eddie’s next project will involve teaming up with Tilba Real Dairy to create a kelp-infused cheese.
“All I want to do is put some love back into the food chain,” she said.
To find out more about the benefits of Mystery Bay Kelp, visit mbkforlife.com
*Please consult a healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your medication.