By Lambert Strether of Corrente.
Because I’m a fan of povidone-iodine as a Covid prophylactic (though disclaiming any ability or desire to give medical advice), I thought I would investigate kelp, since I thought that iodine was derived from kelp. Alas, it once was, but that’s “no longer economically viable.” (A substance derived from kelp, algin, is used as an emulsifying and bonding agent in toothpastes, shampoos, salad dressings, puddings, cakes, dairy products, frozen foods, so if you’re a ranch dressing fan, read on.) So, normally when I wander into the biosphere I get lost and don’t come out where I expect; with kelp, I got lost on my very first steps in!