When I was a little girl, before health and safety had gone mad, I remember whenever I would fall and graze my knee at school, they didn't reach for the accident book, they would reach for a large bottle of Iodine!
And those graphic surgery documentaries where people would be painted from head to toe in Iodine before they were cut open and operated on. Why is it we don't see or hear about Iodine anymore when it's such a valuable nutrient for the body!!
Not only is Iodine a fantastic disinfectant and rebuilder of injured cells,
it is actually a trace mineral that the body doesn’t make. It is needed for so many functions however most populations around the world are deficient in this wonder mineral!
Iodine can be found in most if not all the organ and glands in the body and is responsible for helping to regulate thyroid function, support a healthy metabolism, improve energy levels, improve mood, balance hormones, reduce muscle pain or weakness and guard against certain illnesses.
The food industry responded to the lack of iodine in diets by producing iodized table salt. But table salt has many missing minerals that the body really needs. When minerals are missing from a compound, the body doesn't absorb them as well so even after eating Iodized table salt we could still be deficient in some minerals. It would be far more beneficial to eat sea salt which has over 60 minerals that the body can use.
How do Iodine levels become low
Iodine reduces in the body due to xenoestrogens and heavy metals that are found in the things we expose ourselves to!
Xenoestrogens and heavy metals can be found in pesticides that is sprayed on fruit and vegetables, in commercially raised meat and dairy, alcohol, plastics, cleaning products, toiletries, soft furnishings, non-stick pans, even the water we drink contain them. And these toxic substances need alkalising minerals to remove them from the body. So over time the amount of iodine we carry is depleted.
A healthy body would have approximately 15-20 mg of iodine stored in either the thyroid gland or the liver but that level will be constantly changing depending on lifestyle choices and how often you replenish the levels.
Is there a test for Iodine deficiency
According to the American thyroid Association there is no test available to check the iodine levels for an individual. Iodine levels are checked across populations using urine samples. These levels have stayed constant for over 2 decades however they don't disclose whether the levels are high, correct or deficient.
What happens when you are deficient in Iodine
The Thyroid is the master gland and it is responsible for governing the other glands that are found around the body. Many issues arise when the Thyroid is deficient in Iodine.
The Thyroid can become swollen in a condition called a Goiter. If not treated for many years a Goiter can cause permanent damage to the Thyroid so discuss this condition with a health provider if you have any concerns.
Other symptoms connected to low Iodine are low metabolism, low body temperature, heart rate issues, weight gain, brain fog, menstrual cycle, pregnancy issues, hair loss and dry skin. By increasing Iodine, you should improve the nutrients your Thyroid needs to function.
What foods contain Iodine
Iodine can be found in sea vegetables like kelp dulse or nori. Eggs, cheese, cows milk, saltwater fish, shellfish and soy products. For those who don't eat sufficient amounts of the above list or who have depleted iodine reserves, taking a supplement might be required to help to top up levels.
What Iodine supplements are available
I use Lugol’s Iodine, strength 15% which is readily available to purchase. It was first made by French physician Jean Lugol in 1829. He mixed the trace mineral Iodine with potassium iodide which can be taken by placing on the skin or swallowing. My dosage started with 6 drops in water for the first couple of days then I reduced my dose to 4 drops which I take twice a week.
I immediately noticed a difference to my energy levels and the issues I’d experienced with cold hands and feet, chilblains, and renauld syndrome. Even in the coldest winter temperatures recently, my hands and feet remained warm and no itching annoying chilblains to deal with. My brain fog cleared instantly and I was able to start planning and stop procrastinating. I am sleeping better and no longer experiencing night sweats.
Iodine is a wonderful product and should be in every person's medicine cabinet. Not just for the occasional scuff or scrape on your child's knee but an essential nutrient that should take priority in the dietary needs of all humans. Don’t let another day go by without Iodine!
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