Description
Iodine is an essential trace mineral element found in soil and foods. Iodine plays a regulatory role in your body. Two-thirds of total body iodine is found in the thyroid gland, where it is required for the production of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones are formed when the thyroid gland combines iodine and the amino acid tyrosine. For more information on tyrosine, see Amino Acids -- Tyrosine.
Iodine is important for mental and physical development, promotes healthy hair, skin, and teeth, and may also increase energy and improve mental acuity.
Ailments / Situations Where Used
Iodine has been known to help in cases of goiter (enlarged thyroid) and many types of hypothyroidism. A deficiency is particularly harmful for pregnant women, the developing fetus, and the newborn infant. As it helps burns excess fat, iodine may be used in situations of excessive weight gain. Iodine has also been shown to be useful for breast cancer and fatigue.
Source
Iodine-rich foods include commercially iodized salt, blackstrap molasses, onions, seafood, saltwater fish, and Kelp. Iodine is also found in Dulse, mushrooms, lima beans, sea salt, asparagus, soy beans, sesame seeds, garlic, and spinach.
Certain foods, when eaten raw in large amounts, can block the absorption of iodine into the thyroid gland. These include cabbage, cauliflower, kale, peaches, pears, spinach and turnips.
Optimal Absorption
It is best to obtain iodine from your diet, but it is also available in multi-vitamin/mineral supplements. Supplemental kelp is also rich in iodine. Nutrient deficient soil and commercial food processing can reduce food iodine content.
The following is a list of United States 1989 Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) for minimum nutritional iodine intake and are included as a guideline only. These values are considered too low for most individuals, according to better nutrition authorities today. Consult with your nutritionist, naturopath, or other health practitioner for a dosage appropriate for your needs. Children under 6 years of age should be under the supervision of the above mentioned specialists if directly supplementing with iodine.
Infants 0 - 5 months, 40mcg6 - 11 months, 50mcg
Children
1 - 3, 70mcg4 - 6, 90mcg7 - 10, 120mcg
Males
11 - 14, 150mcg15 - 18, 150mcg19 - 24, 150mcg25 - 50, 150mcg51+, 150mcg
Females
11 - 14, 150mcg15 - 18, 150mcg19 - 24, 150mcg25 - 50, 150mcg51+ years, 150mcg
Pregnancy
175mcg
Lactation
1st 6 months, 200mcg2nd 6 months, 200mcg
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
Do not supplement with iodine unless advised by your nutritionist, naturopath, or other health practitioner. Excessive intake of iodine can cause sores and a metallic taste in the mouth, swollen salivary glands, vomiting and diarrhea.
There are usually no drug or nutrient interactions with doses between 150 and 600 mg.
Ailment / Situation Listing
All information contained on this website is for reference purposes only and all content should be treated as a resource. It is highly recommended that you consult with your naturopath or other health practitioner when undertaking self-treatment. For serious conditions, always seek the advice of your naturopath or other health practitioner. People taking medication should
consult with their naturopath or other health practitioner before undertaking additional regime for their ailment.
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when applying the information contained on this website.
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