Are You Iodine Deficient?
Based on clinical findings, over 90% of the U.S. population is…
Iodine is an essential mineral that plays an important role in maintaining and restoring good health. Our bodies do not make iodine and modern agricultural methods have depleted iodine levels in our soil, so it is difficult to get adequate intake from diet alone. Fortunately, with the right supplementation you can ensure your body has the iodine it needs to function properly.
Here are some of the important ways iodine can contribute to optimal health:
Thyroid and Hormone Balance
The thyroid gland utilizes iodine to make thyroid hormones and studies show that insufficient levels of iodine can lead to hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid is unable to produce enough of the required hormones. Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, weight gain, depression, impaired memory, and muscle weakness. If left untreated, the thyroid gland can begin to swell (known as a goiter) in an attempt to increase the uptake of iodine from the blood.
Cognitive Function and Brain Development
Iodine may help make us smarter! Research indicates that iodine promotes sharp thinking, mental focus, cognitive functioning, and eliminates brain fog. It also appears to be instrumental in brain development.
Detoxification and Radiation Protection
This is perhaps the most well-known use of iodine. It has been shown to help prevent the effects of radiation exposure from cell phones and also to protect the the thyroid and the rest of the body from radioactivity generated from nuclear accidents, such as the radiation drift from the Fukushima disaster. Scientific findings also indicate that iodine helps reduce the amount of toxic halid toxicity in our bodies from fluoride, chlorine, and bromide and helps prevent lead and other heavy metals from being stored in the body.
Cancer Prevention
Research indicates that the incidence of hormone-related cancers (breast, ovarian, uterine, prostate, cervical) along with stomach, lung, esophagus, thyroid and throat cancers are markedly increased in iodine-deficient patients. Iodine has been shown to help regulate hormone production and balance, especially estrogen production. Estrogen dominance, a significant risk factor in the development of hormone related cancers, is also found to be higher in iodine-deficient, hypothyroid states.
Additionally, findings indicate that iodine may help reduce cholesterol and promote cardiovascular health, fire up the metabolism and help maintain healthy weight and energy levels, and play an essential role in the formation of healthy hair, nails, and teeth.
If you are among the 90% of the population deficient in this critical mineral, it may be beneficial to incorporate a daily iodine supplement into your health routine to restore optimum iodine levels. Contact your doctor today to find out about how you can test your iodine levels and determine the ideal supplementation for your unique needs.
It is important to note that none of these statements have been FDA approved. As always, more research needs to be done to more fully understand the benefits and role of supplements in our bodies. Here at Whole Life Health MD, we are committed to bringing you the most up to date science and research available in order to make informed decisions about you and your health.