Iodine And Thyroid Health
Reminders that Make A Difference
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Iodine is part of the essential trace minerals that we need in our life for a normal body functioning. Most people in the US do get sufficient levels of iodine through their diets. For pregnant women, it is important to check with the doctors, as sometimes they may develop low levels of iodine, which can be harmful for the developing babies.
Iodine is a key component of the hormones made in the thyroid gland. These hormones are absolutely critical to human health, helping to control energy production and utilization in nearly every cell of the body.
The balance of iodine in the thyroid gland is tricky, and both too much and too little iodine can slow down the production of hormones. This is not a situation where more is always better. For most people, falling far below the recommended level or greatly exceeding it would potentially increase the risk of imbalanced thyroid hormone production.
In 2001, the National Academy of Sciences established a set of Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for iodine. This set of recommendations included Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for all individuals over 1 year of age, and Adequate Intakes (AIs) for infants under 1 year. These DRI recommendations are as follows.
0-6 months: 110 mcg
6-12 months: 130 mcg
1-8 years: 90 mcg
9-13 years: 120 mcg
14+ years: 150 mcg
Pregnant women: 220 mcg
Lactating women: 290 mcg
To protect public from low levels of iodine, it is required that salt is fortified with iodine. Also many baby formulas are fortified with this mineral as well. Himalayan salt is one of the best natural sources of iodine. The 1/2 gram provides 150% of the needed amount of iodine in a day! Buy that awesomely delicious pink salt and grind it over your salads, sandwiches, put it in soups.
Those who require supplementation under doctor’s supervision, need to follow directions on the supplement. Overdose can cause:
Upset stomach
Stomach pain
Headache
Runny nose
Diarrhea
Metallic taste in the mouth
Co-factors – the ones that affect its use in the body – for iodine intake are selenium and iron.
Selenium is a necessary co-factor for a family of enzymes called iodothyronine deiodinase. These enzymes are responsible for activation and deactivation of thyroid hormones. As such, deficiency of selenium may either exacerbate iodine deficiency, or even mimic some of the symptoms.
Deficiency of iron makes the thyroid dysfunction seen in iodine deficiency worse. At this point in time, doctors don’t have a clear explanation why. Iodine deficiency is a big public health problem worldwide, especially in the developing world.
Seafood is especially rich in iodine. Seaweed is especially rich in this mineral! If you love Japanese cuisine, it uses a wide variety of seaweed in their cooking. I love their dry condiments that have ample amount of iodine and are bursting with flavor. I put them on my raw salads. They do not taste like fish. More like seasoned dry veggies.
Tuna
Sardines
Salmon
Lobster
Shrimp
However, there vegetarian and vegan sources of iodine as well. Keep in mind cranberries! Amazing antioxidant, these berries offer about 400 mcg of iodine per 4 oz. Thanksgiving should not be the only time when you reach out and indulge in these amazing foods! Also, do buy ORGANIC. These veggies and
Cranberries
Strawberries
Dried prunes
Navy beans – fiber adds so many benefits to the body besides iodine!
Potatoes – eat them with skins!
Grains
Eggs – we’ve discussed the benefits of organic eggs here
Dairy products – organic yogurts are some of the best combination of probiotics and iodine, too!
For the meat-eaters, there are lots of foods rich in iodine, too.
Baked turkey breast – again, one of the Thanksgiving treats
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IODINE is a unique and very sensitive mineral that is required by the thyroid gland to produce the hormones that rule our life. We need to learn more about it, know more, stay curious about the ways to prevent it.
Having a balanced diet and knowing what foods are rich in IODINE can truly contribute to our better living, and doing it better for the sake of our health and the well-being of our loved ones.
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i better find those foods that have the iodine in it!! i think my thyroid is slowing down!! my weight is harder to control
Wendi,
One thing that really could make a difference, if it is iodine – Himalayan pink salt. They cell it in grinders, with crystals inside. Get the real one. 1/2 grams has all you need for the day!
I’ve seen them I know my mom uses it!!! I will get some
Plus, Navy BEANS cannot beat anything either. Add them regularly to your salads, soups, all adds up.
Plus, cranberries! You can add juices to your intake as well, just watch for the sugar. Get the ones that are organic and do not have added sugar. They are sour, but you add them to smoothies and water.
Cranberries are really good in chicken salad too if you make it!
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all done but #5 did not work
Wendi,
All links work, I tested them.
i got it to work