First discovered in kelp, Iodine is a very important mineral that dates back to 1812. It was extracted and named “iodine” because of its violet color. The term “ion” is the Greek word for violet.
Benefits
A naturally occurring substance, Iodine is a crucial part of the thyroid hormones that monitor the body’s energy levels. Iodine is actually food because it nourishes the thyroid gland.
Iodine, though essential, is only needed in trace amounts.
Organic Iodine, Iodine Phosphate, has the following benefits:
- Normalizes and regulates metabolism.
- Relieves pain of Fibrocystic breasts.
- Protects against toxic effects from radioactive materials.
- Acts as a natural antiseptic.
- Helps metabolize excess fat.
- Aids physical and mental development.
- Supports the thyroid gland
Deficiency
Iodine deficiency symptoms include:
- Goiter
- Hypothyroidism– chronic fatigue, apathy, dry skin, intolerance to cold, weight gain, and thyroid enlargement.
- Weight fluctuations, especially weight gain.
- Swollen salivary glands.
- Breast cancer for women.
- Mental retardation for children
Pregnancy
In pregnant women, Iodine deficiency could result in the child being born affected by dwarfism, also known as neonatal hypothyroidism. It is imperative that pregnant women take adequate amounts of organic Iodine.
It is reported that one out of fifty pregnant women is diagnosed with hypothyroidism during pregnancy. Also, six out of every one hundred miscarriages are associated with thyroid hormone deficiency during pregnancy.
Synthetic Iodine
While Iodine is found as a natural source in seaweed, most table salt is fortified with synthetic Iodine. Just like white table salt, synthetic Iodine is an inorganic substance and cannot be properly digested or absorbed by the body. This can create serious health problems because it is so unnatural. This can be prevented with organic nutrition to ensure optimal health and well-being.
Synthetic Iodine should be avoided at all costs. High does of inorganic Iodine may aggravate acne and interfere with hormone activity. Many pharmaceutical varieties of Iodine contain radioactive tracers that travel to the thyroid gland and harm the organ.
Western medical pharmacists know these drugs with radioactive tracers are harmful. They emit radiation and cause radiation poisoning. Pharmacists often prescribe Potassium Iodide to offset the effect of the radioactive tracers in certain thyroid drugs.
More than 12 million Americans suffer with Thyroid Disease. However, most of these 12 million individuals aren’t aware that they have the disease.
Synthroid
Many people with thyroid disorders have been prescribed Synthroid. Synthroid cannot successfully help the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is mainly comprised of Iodine and thus requires Iodine to repair it when damaged by disease.
Healthy Alternatives
Natural food sources of Iodine include:
- Garlic
- Asparagus
- Lima beans
- Mushrooms
- Sesame seeds
- Spinach
- Turnip greens
- Swiss chard
- Summer squash
- Soybeans
Herbs containing Iodine include:
- Irish Moss
- Iceland Moss
- Blue-Green Algae
- Bladderwrack
- Dulse
- Kelp
- Red Marine Algae
- Chlorella
- Spirulina
- White Oat Bark
- Red Raspberry Leaf
- Black Walnut Hulls
Natural sources of Iodine from Seaweed are the richest sources and are helpful in increasing and enhancing the production and secretion of breast milk for women.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
