iodine

Iodine

Gift of the Salt Shaker

If the foods you eat do not provide enough iodine, chances are that table salt (assuming it is iodized) will make up the difference. Like iron, iodine is a chemical element our bodies need for optimal health. It is iodine’s role in proper thyroid functioning that this mineral is best known for.

TOP TEN REASONS TO GET ENOUGH IODINE

1) Iodine is important to metabolism and helps the body to burn off excess fat.

2) Iodine deficiency in pregnant women can lead to miscarriages.

3) A fetus may suffer from mental retardation if it does not get enough thyroid hormone, which itself is dependent on sufficient iodine.

4) Constipation can result from a lack of iodine in the diet.

5) Iodine is involved in the overall growth and development of the human body.

6) Despite the ease of obtaining enough iodine, iodine deficiency is more common than one would think.

7) A lack of iodine can lead to weight gain.

8) The most noticeable result of a lack of iodine are goiters.

9) Sometimes goiters brought on by a lack of iodine become so large that they compress the neck and must be removed.

10) Iodized salt does not add enough iodine so that the amount of it needs to be a concern.

The thyroid, which iodine is so important to the healthy functioning of, is a gland in the front of the neck that is shaped like a butterfly. Two hormones are produced by the thyroid and they are released in the bloodstream and taken to the bodily organs that need it, especially the brain, heart, liver, kidneys, and muscles.

In adults too little iodine shows itself in slowed down mental and physical operations, severe tiredness, and a puffy face. For children the consequences of iodine deficiency are more severe. These include poor growth and impaired mental functioning. Babies without enough iodine in their systems are likely to be difficult to feed and lethargic.

The recommended daily intake of iodine is between 40-150 milligrams per day and is generally a simple requirement to meet through a normal diet. Good sources of iodine include seafood, meat, vegetables, eggs, dairy products, and whole grains.

Copyright © Dennis Becker, 2004.

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