According
to the World Health Organization (WHO), iodine deficiency is one of the leading
causes of mental retardation worldwide.
This
therefore goes a long way to underscore the fact that, having iodine in your
diet every day is an absolute necessity.
Iodine
virtually affects every bodily function and more importantly is responsible for
regulating and influencing activities of the thyroid glands. It’s estimated
that about 60-80 percent (%) of iodine found in a human being are
stored/located in the thyroid glands located just below your voice box (in the
front of your neck). An indicator of its importance to thyroid functions. The
rest can be found in lactating mammary glands, the stomach lining, salivary
glands, and in the blood.
HEALTH
IMPORTANCE OF IODINE
Among
the lot the most important benefit of iodine is;
Thyroid-Function: iodine
located in the thyroid glands causes and regulates the release of two important
hormones that are necessary for optimum bodily function. Thyroxin and
triodothyronine hormones are influences the following;
Metabolic rate: They directly influence the body’s basic
metabolic rate (BMR) by regulating the rate at which food ingested is
metabolized and used in the body. It optimally influences the later by
affecting key physiological like heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature.
It also helps in protein synthesis.
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Reproductive development: They influence the proper growth and maturity of
the reproductive organs. It therefore is necessary for growing children to have
a healthy development in puberty.
Control Energy levels/body
weight: iodine’s interaction
with the thyroid glands causes the release of thyroxin and triodothyronine
which in-turn leads to a control on weight gain. This is done by they causing
the optimum utilization of absorbed calories and thus, preventing the storage
of excess calories as fats.
NOTE: This does not mean it
has absolute like 100% control over body weight. If you do over-eat or
continuously have high caloric diets, you sure to gain weight even though they
will do their bit.
Other
benefits of iodine
Anti-Carcinogenic Properties: Evidence exist that when iodine is applied on
cancer cells, they shrink in size. Iodine in recommended doses helps in the
prevention of cancer and it’s a good recommend for cancer patients (avoid
over-dosing).
In pregnancy and babies: Iodine ensures the optimal/proper development in
babies by influencing movement and growth. It also plays a part in speech and
hearing development. It prevents still births and neurocognitive conditions
like cretinism in babies if pregnant women take in adequate amounts of it.
IQ/Mental development: Iodine promotes the proper mental development in
children. It ensures sharpness and general mental advancement.
Utilization of nutrients: Despite being an essential nutrient itself, iodine
aids in optimum utilization of mineral nutrients like calcium and silicon. It causes
the thyroids to produce the hormone calcitonin, which regulates calcium levels
in the body and thereby preventing hypocalcaemia or hypocalcaemia (this can
lead to osteoporosis, heart and kidney problems).
Skin, hair, nails and teeth: By causing the proper utilization of calcium,
iodine helps in the development (formation) and maintenance of healthier teeth.
Iodine is helps in hair growth and its deficiency causes hair loss. It also
aids in maintaining a healthier shiny skin and nails.
Destroys/removes toxins: Iodine controls the proliferation/growth of
harmful stomach-bacteria as well as plays the function of destroys other
biological toxins in the body. It also aids in the flushing-out of toxic
chemicals like lead and mercury.
Iodine apoptosis: In the formation of new organs or the removal of
malignant/cancerous or diseased cells, old cells need to be disposed-off and
this is done through a process referred to as apoptosis or programmed cell
death. Iodine ensures this process takes place.
Fibrocystic disease: “Iodine can significantly reduce conditions like
fibrosis, turgidity and breast tenderness. Iodine acts as a relief for
fibrocystic diseases and is widely used even in therapies” as written by
organicfacts.com.
RECOMMENDED
DIETARY ALLOWANCES
The
daily intake of iodine in recommended amounts is depended on the age/stage of
life of the individual. MEASURMENT TIP// 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.
Infants: 40 micrograms to 50 micrograms per
day if iodine.
Younger children (1 to 8 years): 90 micrograms daily.
Older children (9 to 13 years, boys and girls): 120 micrograms per day.
Adolescents
(14 to 18 years): 150 micrograms per day.
Men:
150 micrograms per day
Women:
150 micrograms per day
Pregnant women: need more iodine
intake than the normal adult. A whooping 220 micrograms of iodine daily is
needed daily.
Breastfeeding women: should have 270 micrograms
daily.
SOURCES
OF IODINE
SPECIAL RECOMMENDATION// Use
iodated salt in your diets. It’s relatively cheap and widely available.
Iodized
salt, yoghurt, seafood (make sure to eat fish more often), garlic and some
vegetables (if they are grown in iodine reach soil), dairy products (especially
grass-fed cow milk), strawberries and eggs.
