Did You Have Iodine Today?

thyroid disorders.jpg

Our body is vulnerable. It always has been. It’s important to prevent diseases from developing. We can avoid getting treated for diseases in the future through prevention. Prevention is the key component to living a long healthy life. It’s vital for people to incorporate iodine into their daily dietary routine. If a person is deficient in iodine their life expectancy can be shortened by as much as 20 years. Most people are not aware of that. Iodine is essential in every diet. It’s important not only for you but for family and loved ones too. Did you have iodine today?

Iodine is fuel for the thyroid. Without iodine, the thyroid won’t be able to function properly, and consequently that leads to complications. J.I. Rodale is an editor, author, and founder of Rodale, Inc. a foundation dedicated to voicing the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Rodale, Inc. publishes the most established health magazines known today, such as Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Runner’s World, Bicycling, Running Times, and Organic Gardening. I might be correct if I assume you have purchased any of these magazines at least once. Rodale describes the function of iodine in the thyroid:

Of all the glands of the body, the thyroid seems to be the most complex and far-reaching in its effects. It rules the rate at which we grow, our metabolism (the rate at which we burn our food for energy), as well as our emotions and personalities, so it is not too surprising to find that it influences the way the body handles cholesterol (Rodale 25).

In 1958, a Finnish doctor noted an interesting thing in people who have died from either coronary sclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, and the discovery was that they often have goiter. Dr. Murray Israel noted similar findings as well at a conference in New York City on April 18, 1985. At the time, he was treating a patient who was 60 years old. She had hardening of the arteries leading to her heart and was dying. She also had a severe thyroid deficiency. He thought perhaps by giving her doses of brewer’s yeast with thyroxin (the hormone secreted by thyroid glands) it would alleviate some symptoms. The results were successful as it led to her rapid recovery. These dose administrations continued for the rest of her life – another 20 years (Israel 28). It’s important to highlight that Dr. Israel saw successful results in other patients who were also administrated doses of thyroxin with brewer’s yeast. This wasn’t a coincidence.

There are other health complications linked to the deficiency of iodine aside from the hardening of arteries due to thyroid irregularity. Research done by Adelle Davis an American nutritionist points out that anemia, fatigue, lethargy, low blood pressure, cysts on the breast or testicles are the result of low iodine (Davis, “Let’s Get Well”, 182). But that’s not even half of it. Most doctors agree that the development of goiter, mental retardation, lowered I.Q., cretinism, and even some forms of cancer develops if the body lacks iodine. Adelle Davis notes, “Even a mild form of iodine deficiency is associated with a high incidence of thyroid cancer, high blood cholesterol, and death by heart disease.” These health complications caused by the lack of iodine will shorten the body’s life expectancy. If one organ isn’t functioning properly in the body, a domino effect is caused, as a result the body is burdened by bad health.

The most important thing to know about iodine is the human body can lose its ability to produce it. Isn’t that scary? It’s alarming to say the least because iodine is vital to the proper function of our organs. Therefore, the body is vulnerable to developing life threatening diseases related to iodine deficiency. To prevent the diseases associated with the lack of iodine you must know how to get your iodine intake. It’s best for everyone to find iodine in natural food sources. This allows the thyroid to develop iodine naturally and not be dependent on administered doses of thyroxin. The golden source of natural iodine is kelp. J.I. Rodale reports:

Used as a condiment, in the same way as salt, dried kelp gives about 10 times as much iodine as the same amount of iodized salt. There is salt in kelp, among other minerals, but because it occurs naturally… we do not believe it to be harmful. Therefore, kelp is a boom to those who cannot do without table salt regardless of how it affects their health (Rodale 27).

Dried kelp can be incorporated into miso soup even sprinkled onto French Fries a classic American favorite side. However, for those who do not like the taste of kelp there are other foods that provide iodine too. I would prefer you stick to the golden source of iodine (kelp) but asparagus, dried beans, spinach, oysters, lobster, and flounder have iodine as well. It’s important to note doctors agree iodine helps detoxify the body of metals. This is important for people who eat a lot of shellfish or even drink tap water. As both these contain a lot of trace metals and mercury. High amounts of metals in the body can lead to Alzheimer’s in the future.

For expectant mothers-to-be iodine is fundamental in their diet. According to thyroid.org, “[The] first 10-12 weeks of pregnancy, the baby is completely dependent on the mother for the production of [the] thyroid hormone. By the end of the first trimester, the baby’s thyroid begins to produce [the] thyroid hormone on his or her own.” Not having enough iodine in the mother’s diet can lead to the baby’s brain not developing properly. The complications could lead to mental retardation, cretinism, and at times miscarriage. Lack of iodine is one of the causes of anemia. If a mother-to-be has anemia during pregnancy she raises the chances of having a miscarriage. It’s important for women who are expecting to incorporate natural sources of iodine into their diet. Even if someone is not expecting or planning on conceiving; it doesn’t hurt to know the role iodine plays during pregnancy or development.

People struggling with diabetes can benefit from the consumption of iodine too. How? Iodine helps the functions of the pancreas. If someone has an irregular pancreas due to high insulin: iodine will help reduce the need of insulin. It steadies blood sugars. Adding natural sources of iodine to a diabetic’s diet will do more good than harm. In fact, not only do diabetics need a good source of iodine, but everyone else does too. Prevention is the ultimate key in not being derailed into diseases or health complications that can limit you. Since iodine stabilizes blood sugars it’s a great way to prevent pancreatic problems.

Dr. Joseph Mercola, is a popular licensed physician and surgeon, emphasizing, “While iodine is clearly needed for healthy brain development and function, it’s by no means the only factor that determines your child’s mental capacity. Dr. Mercola encourages expecting mothers to take preventions such as promoting healthy gut flora. Having healthy gut bacteria increases natural detoxification passageways for the fetus (Mercola). Natural foods that help promote healthy gut flora are fermented vegetables and raw yogurt. Avoiding fluoride in tap water is essential too. Fluoride damages the fetus’ brain. A lack of vitamin D in children also causes mental retardation. In fact, Dr. Mercola fears that the leading culprit in the increase of autism is the lack of vitamin D in children’s diets. Mercola also points out the importance of DHA. DHA is an essential fat for brain development.

Although it is important for people to take Dr. Mercola’s advice, it’s not the point. Many Americans already know the importance of DHA, Vitamin D, promoting healthy gut flora, and avoiding fluoride. However, few Americans know the important role iodine plays in their entire body, not just their thyroid. Iodine is fuel for the thyroid fuel for your body. Dr. Eric Berg a licensed nutritionist claims, “Iodine… is a vitally important trace mineral. Trace minerals are needed in very small amounts. The problem is that are no RDAs [required daily allowances] for trace minerals only for bigger minerals like calcium….” RDAs don’t take into consideration trace minerals so it’s natural for people not to know the importance of them. Always take iodine without neglecting other essential vitamins and minerals.

Iodine is an essential trace mineral to incorporate into America’s diet. Iodine helps promote a longer life span. It’s important to eat food that has naturally occurring iodine. Kelp is the golden source of natural iodine. Without iodine various health complications arise. More commonly known through iodine deficiency is hardening of the arteries. Among the few complications known anemia, low blood sugar, and cysts on the reproductive organs. They key to a long and healthy life is the prevention of diseases. So, did you have iodine today?

Works Cited

Berg, Eric. Iodine, the Ultimate Healing Trace Minerals for Cysts, Thyroid, PCOD and More.
YouTube. YouTube. July. 2013. Web. 11. Sep. 2017

Davis, Adelle. Let’s Eat Right To Keep Fit. New York: Signet, 1970. Print.
Let’s Get Well. New York: Harcourt, 1965. Print.

Mercola, Joseph. “How Iodine Deficiency May Affect Your Child’s Brain Function and I.Q.” Mercola.com n.d. Web. May 2013
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/05/04/iodine-deficiency-affect-childs-brain-function.aspx

Rodale, J.I. and Ruth Adams. The Health Finder. Emmaus: The Rodale Press, 1959. Print.
The Encyclopedia for Healthy Living. Emmaus: The Rodale Press, 1973. Print.

“FAQ: Thyroid Disease and Pregancy.” Thyroid.org. American Thyroid Association. 6 June 2012. Web. 11 Sep. 2017 http://www.thyroid.org/faq-thyroid-disease-and-pregnancy/