Can You Take Sea Moss with Medications?

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Sea moss, one of the hallmarks of the alkaline vegan community is one superfood that elicits lots of concerns, and understandably so.

One of the most common concerns people have before starting a new supplement regimen or taking a new remedy is whether or not it will interact with medications. Every herb, plant, and supplement on the market likely has a medication it will interact with.

Even certain essential oils, which many people think are benign, can interact with medications. The important thing is to do your research before you take anything to make sure there won’t be an issue.

If you have ever wondered whether or not sea moss can be taken with certain medications, this article will walk you through how to consume sea moss safely and what medications might justify avoiding sea moss. As with anything, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Does Sea Moss Interact with Medications?

The carrageenan in sea moss can stick to medications in the stomach and intestines, which may result in less medication being absorbed. This can decrease the effectiveness of a med. Those who take thyroid medications should know that sea moss may elevate iodine levels which can harm the thyroid.

If you wish to consume sea moss while you are on medications, you will need to avoid consuming it with your medications. For example, you may want to drink a sea moss smoothie in the morning and wait a few hours to take your medications with lunch.

Generally, Dr. Sebi Recommends taking all supplements or meds an hour before meals (which may include sea moss).

A study with animals showed that the carrageenan in sea moss may trigger colitis and gastrointestinal upset. Some people with inflammatory bowel disease have found that eliminating products with carrageenan helped lessen symptoms.

For this reason, it is best to avoid consumption of sea moss if you have an inflammatory bowel disease or are on medications for inflammatory bowel disease.

Because sea moss has natural laxative properties, it is best to avoid taking sea moss when you are also taking laxatives. Taking both may result in problematic gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea.

Can You Take Sea Moss with Blood Thinners?

Sea moss may thin the blood, so it is best to avoid using sea moss if you take blood thinners, blood pressure medications, or have a bleeding disorder. Additionally, it may be best to avoid taking sea moss with blood-thinning over the counter medications like Aspirin.

If you want to take any medication that contains aspirin, make sure you wait a few hours before consuming sea moss just to be safe. Always check with your doctor if you wish to consume sea moss while you are on any medication that may thin the blood.

In addition to pharmaceutical medications that affect the blood, caution is advised when taking sea moss and natural blood thinners as well. Some natural blood thinners include extracts or supplements of cinnamon, clove, ginger, turmeric, high doses of vitamin E, garlic, ginseng, beet root, and white willow.

Can Sea moss make you sick? 14 Side Effects of Sea Moss to Watch Out for

Can You Take Sea Moss with Xarelto?

Because Xarelto is a medication that works to inhibit certain clotting substances in the blood, it is best to avoid consumption of sea moss while taking this medication. Sea moss may also thin the blood, so taking them together may cause bleeding.

Xarelto is a common medication prescribed by doctors for treating or preventing blood clots. Some doctors also prescribe aspirin to be taken with Xarelto to further prevent a stroke or heart attack. If your doctor has prescribed a regimen of Xarelto and aspirin, do not consume sea moss.

List of Medications that Might Interact with Sea Moss

Some medications that might interact with sea moss include all anticoagulant medications, antihypertensive medications, iodine supplements, IBS medications, Ulcerative Colitis medications, and some herbal supplements that thin the blood.

Some common anticoagulant medications include: fluoxetine, paroxetine, warfarin, clopidogrel, prasugrel, ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve, aspirin and naproxen.

Some common antihypertensive medications include: bumetanide, furosemide, torsemide, epitizide, hydrochlorothiazide, methylclothiazide, polythiazide, indapamide, amiloride, xipamide, metalozone, calcium channel blockers, and dihydropyridines.

IBS and Ulcerative medications include: dicyclomine, loperamide, lotronex, antirheumatics, aminosalicylates, glucocorticoids, and calcineurin inhibitors.

Herbal supplements like cinnamon, garlic, turmeric, ginger, white willow, and clove have been shown the thin the blood. If you take these on a daily basis, consult with your physician before taking sea moss.

Can You Take Sea Moss and Zinc Together?

Four tablespoons of sea moss provides roughly 4% of your daily dosage of zinc, so it is perfectly fine to take a zinc supplement with sea moss as long as you are taking both in moderation and keeping track of your daily value intake. Avoid taking more than the recommended daily dose of sea moss or zinc supplements.

The recommended daily dose of sea moss (in gel form) is two tablespoons. If you take this daily dose, you are not at risk for getting too much zinc in your diet. Always check the label on your supplements to know exactly how much you are getting in a dose.

Why Does Sea Moss Cause Bleeding?

Some studies suggest sea moss may thin the blood due to its high mineral and vitamin content, as well as the presence of compounds called fucans. Fucans are sulfated polysaccharides found in most brown seaweeds and sea mosses.

Therapeutically, fucans are known for their ability to control inflammation in the body and act as a prebiotic. They may also be responsible for some of the positive heart and cardiovascular properties of sea moss.

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Does Sea Moss Thin Your Blood?

While definitive research as to whether or not sea moss thins the blood is still in question, it has been shown in one study to possibly thin the blood. However, more research will need to be conducted to prove this for sure.

Because of this, it is best to play it safe with sea moss consumption if you are at risk for bleeding. If you have been taking sea moss and notice that you have frequent bloody noses or are bleeding longer than usual from minor wounds, avoid the consumption of sea moss.

Can You Take Sea Moss with Zoloft?

When looking into what medications interact with the prescription antidepressant Zoloft, you may notice that blood-thinning medications like aspirin and Warfarin are mentioned. This is because Zoloft may also thin the blood.

Knowing this, it is best to exercise mindfulness and caution if consuming sea moss and Zoloft together. Make sure you ask your physician if it is okay to consume sea moss with this medication before starting a daily sea moss regimen.

Final Notes:

Sea moss is a type of seaweed that has been consumed for centuries as a source of nutrients. Some people believe that sea moss can help with weight loss, improve digestion, and boost energy levels. However, Sea moss may interact with certain medications.

So, if you take any medications, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider before consuming sea moss.

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