The Benefits of Iodine
by Charlene J. Nuble
zone3
One of the main ways that iodine affects the body and health is
through its interactions with the thyroid gland. Approximately 80% of the
iodine found in the body is located in the thyroid. With the help of
iodine, the thyroid is able to produce its hormones: thyroxine and
triodothyronine. These hormones play a major part in regulating processes
relating to growth and development of the body and influence the
maturation of the reproductive system. Initially discovered as a
new element in 1811 by Barnard Courtois, knowledge of this substance has
come to include the host of benefits it brings to the body as an essential
nutrient. For many years, getting enough iodine in the diet naturally was
difficult in many geographic regions and remains so for an unfortunately
high percentage of the world's population in the developing nations. With
the introduction of iodized salt, meeting the daily iodine requirement
became nearly effortless and inexpensive in the industrialized nations. In
these nations, iodine deficiency is now rare. As developing nations are
able to make the shift to iodized salt, their rates of iodine deficiency
and the diseases associated with it have also begun to decrease. One of
the main ways that iodine affects the body and health is through its
interactions with the thyroid gland. Approximately 80% of the iodine found
in the body is located in the thyroid. With the help of iodine, the
thyroid is able to produce its hormones: thyroxine and triodothyronine.
These hormones play a major part in regulating processes relating to
growth and development of the body and influence the maturation of the
reproductive system.
Because of its influence on the thyroid's activities, iodine therefore
plays a great role in the basic metabolism processes and levels in the
body. It helps in overseeing that the body efficiently burns calories thus
preventing excess calories from being stored as excess fats. It has a role
in maintaining the energy level of the body and in helping the skin,
teeth, nails and hair to he strong and healthy. Iodine also plays a big
role in destroying toxins in the body and also helps the system in
utilizing both the mineral calcium and silicone.
A deficiency in iodine can negatively affect the health and functioning
of the body and mind in many ways some of which are more serious than
others. The symptoms of iodine deficiency that affect the mind range from
feelings of frustration and anxiety to depression to mental retardation
stemming from an IQ point decrease of up to 15 points to the severe mental
retardation relating to such diseases as cretinism which includes serious
physical malformations. According to the World Health Organization, iodine
deficiency is among the leading causes of mental retardation worldwide.
Physical symptoms of iodine deficiency can include dry, scaly skin,
fatigue, constipation, unusual weight gain, impaired thyroid operation,
goiters, decreased fertility, increased rate of stillbirth, and growth
abnormalities ranging in severity. It is truly shameful that people suffer
such horrific affects from a deficiency that could be resolved with mere
pennies per person. Iodized salt is so inexpensive and if could be spread
throughout the poverty centers of the developing nations, the needless
suffering of millions could be alleviated. Infants need to have 40
micrograms to 50 micrograms per day if iodine, children from 1 to 3 years
of age need 70 micrograms daily, ages 4 to 6 require 90 micrograms per
day, ages 7 to 10 need 120 micrograms daily, and children aver 11 should
have 150 micrograms per day. In turn, pregnant women need more iodine
intake than the normal adult. A whooping 175 micrograms of iodine daily is
needed daily for these women and breastfeeding women should have 200
micrograms daily. A mere quarter of a teaspoon of iodized salt contains 95
micrograms of iodine. So for a healthy mind and body, be sure to consume
the required daily dose of iodine.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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