Iodine is an essential trace mineral for your body. But do you really need to take iodine supplements? What are the dangers when you do take them? And what can an iodine supplement do for my health and well-being?
Chances are, you do need to take some form of iodine supplement. A study released in 2004 by the United Nations System SCN shows a shocking 73% of Australia’s population suffers from low iodine levels!
The most common sources of iodine in the developed countries are through bread and milk. But there is growing evidence this is not enough.
Clearly we’re not receiving enough iodine through our food and multi-vitamins even though most contain iodine. The days are gone when simply using iodised salt would boost your iodine levels.
Iodine is widely and unevenly distributed in the earth’s environment. Due to flooding, erosion and poor farming, surface soils have been depleted of iodine in many regions. Most iodine is found in our oceans.
The daily RDI of iodine is 150mcg (this number varies with pregnancy and breast feeding). Natural sources of iodine include seafood such as haddock, salmon, tuna, oysters and sea vegetables. Of those, Dulse and Kelp in contains more than the minimal amount of iodine recommended by the US Recommended Daily Intake (RDI).
Why is iodine so important?
Iodine supports the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. The thyroid performs many functions, some of which include
Regulating your body’s production of energy
Regulating your body’s metabolism
Supporting the condition of your hair, nails, skin and teeth
Creating hormones that help your body create Vitamin A, make proteins, absorb carbohydrates and make cholesterol.
Iodine supplements are essential for pregnancy and for babies.
Too little iodine is the most common cause of preventable brain damage. It is also the most common cause infant mortality and a wide range of other growth and development abnormalities.
Several studies have shown that pregnant and nursing mothers need to supplement their diets with iodine. Babies and children without adequate iodine are at much higher risk of brain damage and delayed development. Iodine deficiency is the leading cause of mental retardation. It has also been shown to effect overall IQ development and may be a contributing factor in ADHD.
Dangers of iodine supplements
The primary danger of iodine supplements is hyperthyroidism. Reducing iodine in your diet easily reverses this.
A small percentage of the population is sensitive to iodine. Your physician or nutritionist can test your iodine levels via a “urinary excretion” test. Symptoms can include: tender thyroid, exhaustion and achy all over. This tends to happen to people taking a pill based iodine supplement.
“The relatively small risks of iodine excess are far outweighed by the substantial risks of iodine deficiency.”
Michael B. Zimmermann,
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich, 2009
Iodine supplements alone are not enough
Iodine alone is not enough. Micronutrients need other micronutrients to work effectively in our bodies.
For example, low levels of selenium can worsen the effects of iodine. It is an essential part in the making of thyroid hormones.
A whole-food iodine supplement such as BodyBalance contains a full compliment of micronutrients. As an organic source of iodine, it contains a natural balance of iodine, selenium and over 120 naturally occurring nutrients.
These nutrients include vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, enzymes and phytonutrients. Our selected blend of sea vegetables and Aloe Vera is a simple, tasty way of ensuring your body receives a broad spectrum of nutrients. It’s easy to give your body the foundation of increased energy and overall well being, every day.