The importance of iodine can never be exaggerated enough. It is a potent oxidizing agent that is extremely good at what it does. Iodine has properties which make it highly useful for the human body. Iodine is very important for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, it is one element which is required for the production of thyroid hormone. Human body doesn’t have the ability to make iodine and this is why it should be an essential part of your diet.

Adults need 150 μg of iodine everyday. Those who add table salt to their food should start using iodized salt. Every teaspoon of iodized salt has about 400 μg of iodine. Iodine deficiency can lead to a number of illnesses and diseases. There are a number of benefits of iodine and the same are discussed below.

Energy

Iodine can make a huge difference to your body with regard to energy. Known as an energizer, iodine is highly effective in breaking down the fats as well as carbohydrates in your system. This helps ensure an efficient metabolism in the body and supports metabolic activities. The body is highly efficient at processing as well as utilizing the nutrients and minerals that you consume in your diet. When you consume iodine, your energy levels will be up and the body will be better suited to perform different activities. You will be able to overcome lethargy which is a result of slow metabolism. To know more, go through this article from Microbe Formulas.

Toxin Removal

Not many are aware of the fact that iodine has an atomic number 53 which allows it to bind to toxins well. The ability of iodine also extends to bacteria and it is useful in pulling strong and heavy metals out of the human body. Iodine has the ability to eradicate bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal issues and peptic ulcers.

Anti Cancer agent

Iodine has been linked to the functioning of thyroid hormone inside the body. It helps prevent thyroid cancer. This cancer occurs in your body when the cells undergo genetic changes, they tend to lose the ability to die like normal cells do. This type of accumulation of abnormal thyroid cells can lead to a tumor. They can also manage to invade the tissues in the area and this tumor could spread throughout the body. Iodine has the ability to facilitate the normal cell life cycle function and it can support normal die off of the cells in the thyroid gland.

Juvenile Cognitive Development

A deficiency of iodine during childhood can lead to numerous childhood cognitive and physiological deficiencies. This is why it is important to give supplements to children who have mild iodine deficiency. It will help improve their reasoning abilities and general cognitive function.

Symptoms of iodine deficiency

It is important to understand the symptoms of iodine deficiency so as to take the right measures with regard to the same. It is possible to treat the deficiency by an introduction of iodized salt. However, almost 40% of the total population of the world remains at risk of iodine deficiency. The symptoms of iodine deficiency are listed below.

  • Fatigue
  • Lethargy
  • Muscle cramps
  • Constipation
  • Joint pain
  • Dry skin
  • Hair loss
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Sudden weight gain
  • Swollen neck
  • Memory problems
  • Heavy or irregular periods

Only when you can identify a symptom of iodine deficiency, you will be able to increase the intake in an appropriate manner. Since the thyroid glands store iodine in it, a deficiency will lead to the expansion of the thyroid gland and it could eventually lead to hypothyroidism. When a pregnant woman doesn’t receive adequate amount of iodine, she could be at a risk of giving birth to a child with intellectual disabilities.

How can you consume iodine?

There are a number of foods which offer adequate amount of iodine and most likely, they are already a part of your diet. The best is to look for sea based sources like kombu or nori since it has high amount of iodine. However, seaweed is not your only option. There are many other foods which have high amount of iodine and they are listed below.

  • Milk
  • Cranberries
  • Cheese
  • Cod
  • Tuna
  • Dried seaweed
  • Turkey breast
  • Boiled eggs
  • Squid
  • White bread
  • Baked potato
  • Carrot
  • Walnut
  • Pineapple guava
  • Persimmon
  • Seabass
  • Salmon steak
  • Peas
  • Garlic
  • Shrimp
  • Mussels
  • Peas

The amount of iodine necessary for human body will vary from one person to another. It depends on your age, climate and the activity level. An average human body has about 15-20 mg of iodine and this is found in the thyroid gland. Most adults require 150 mg of iodine on a daily basis and pregnant women need double the amount. However, it is important to remember that high dosage can be dangerous as well. Those suffering from hyperthyroidism, autoimmune diseases and thyroid problems can regress with very high doses.

Eating high sodium foods at restaurants is not the best way to increase iodine in the body. There are only a few restaurants that use iodized salt, this means the consumption of salt will go up without receiving any benefits from the same. It is advisable to consume more than half a teaspoon of iodized salt everyday. There are certain vegetables like cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, turnips, broccoli, kale, radishes and watercress which can block the absorption of iodine from the body. Hence, you need to be careful about what you consume and how often you consume them. An ideal way to absorb iodine from the food you consume is to cook it properly. An effective way to avoid iodine loss is to add salt after cooking is complete. When you store iodized salt in hot or humid conditions, it can degrade iodine and this is why it is recommended to store it in a pantry away from any exposure to heat. Iodine plays an important role in your life and it is important that you consume the right amount in the right manner.