Pregnancy & Postpartum: the benefits of healthy seaweed

The benefits of healthy algae during pregnancy and post-partum.

For mothers-to-be and new mothers, certain types of seaweed are particularly interesting for making up for deficiencies or repairing damage. Extremely rich in micro-nutrients, with very high assimilation rates, algae (beyond the well-known spirulina) are recognized for their benefits during pregnancy, post-partum and general health.

Johanna Rohrbasser holding an Algorigin product — Johanna Rohrbasser

To answer our questions, we set out to meet the Geneva-based brand Algorigin, a Swiss specialist in healthy algae created by Dr Gérald Langel, a pioneering doctor in micronutrition in Switzerland, and his son Renaud Langel.

What is healthy algae?
We're not talking about edible algae, such as sushi seaweed or the seaweed found on the beaches of Brittany in France. We're talking about micro-algae, plants that have been essential to the food chain for millions of years. Most of them are harvested from lakes or cultivated in ponds, benefiting from an ecosystem that is particularly conducive to optimal development.

A growing number of studies have demonstrated the full potential of healthy algae, rich in nutrients and micronutrients: essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, complex carbohydrates, antioxidants, enzymes and nucleic acids.

Which healthy seaweed do you recommend during pregnancy?
Omega 3 DHA seaweed for two reasons. Firstly, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is involved in the development of the baby's nervous system from the^5th month of pregnancy and after birth until the baby is 6 months old. Secondly, DHA is also highly effective in preventing post-partum depression. One study shows a link between low levels of DHA in breast milk and the development of post-partum depression.

Why take an interest in healthy seaweed in the post-partum period?
It fills the gaps left by our lifestyles and the depletion of nutrients and micronutrients in our diet. They are of great therapeutic interest, especially after childbirth.

Is it possible to take spirulina after childbirth to make up for iron deficiencies?
Spirulina is a natural solution that has the advantage of avoiding the unpleasant effects of traditional treatments (nausea, constipation, intestinal pain...). For greater effectiveness, we recommend Spirulina IRON which is 6x richer in iron than traditional spirulina and highly assimilable by the body. Studies show that the iron in Algorigin brand Spirulina FER is as well assimilated as the iron in red meat.

Another seaweed to recommend?
AFA Klamath, a blue algae rich in micro-nutrients. It stimulates the release of stem cells in the body, which can promote cell repair, for example after an episiotomy. The algae AFA Klamath is also recognized for its ability to boost morale by acting on dopamine, thanks to its high PEA content, known as the "happiness molecule".

Klamath AFA does not act specifically on post-partum depression like its sister Omega 3 DHA algae, but it will help to modulate mood, support motivation and concentration. It will therefore be ideal for minimizing the effects of falling hormones, the famous baby blues.

Are seaweeds compatible with breast-feeding?
Healthy seaweeds are often recommended and prescribed during the post-partum period, including for breast-feeding mothers. Unlike other natural solutions, there is no risk of overdosing or toxicity with health algae. They do not cause drowsiness or dependency.

Talk to your midwife or doctor, or contact one of our micro-nutritionists directly online at Algorigin. You'll have free access to personalized advice from experts in healthy algae.