Iodine
Iodine is an essential element in the
human body and comes in three forms, calcium iodide, potassium
iodide, and sodium iodide.
Iodine can be found in most of the foods we eat and
the salt we add to our food is often iodized. Seafood such as
shellfish and kelp, or seaweed, are the best dietary sources. Bread
and dairy products contain this mineral and make up the majority of
the intake in the western world.
Iodine is also inhaled in coastal regions where there is a heavy concentration
of water. Iodine is also produced in the pollution that is formed
by automobile fumes (an unusual benefit I’m sure you would agree).
The effects of iodine on the human body are many and
varied. Science has shown that it is essential in maintaining the
function of the thyroid and parathyroid glands. It is also essential
to the production of thyroxine, a hormone associated with the
thyroid gland and proper thyroid functioning. Iodine also promotes
general growth and development within the body, as well as aiding in
metabolism.
Due to its effect on the metabolism it has also been
found that iodine can help to reduce the amount of fat in the body.
Iodine deficiency is not uncommon and a severe iodine
deficiency often occurs in individuals who have thyroid disease and
are hyperthyroid, or those who have a goiter from thyroid
malfunction. Symptoms of iodine deficiency may include extreme
fatigue, slowing of both physical and mental processes, weight gain,
facial puffiness, constipation, and lethargy.
During infancy it is especially important to maintain
a high level of iodine in the body as a lack of it can make babies
lethargic and difficult to feed. If they are left untreated it is
likely that they will end up suffering poor overall growth and
mental retardation.
It is difficult to find an overall recommended daily
dose of iodine as scientific opinion seems to vary wildly, somewhere
between 40 micrograms to 150 milligrams daily is as close as we can
get to a figure for most people.
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