Iodine - Benefits, Deficiency Symptoms And Food Sources

Iodine mineral is one of the families of trace minerals. The Iodine mineral is a very important for the several key body functions. Iodine is needed to make thyroid hormones, which are necessary for maintaining normal metabolism in all cells of the body. New reserch has found that iodine may have a number of important functions in the body unrelated to thyroid function that might help people with a wide variety of conditions. Iodine is a key component of the hormone thyroxin, produced by the thyroid gland. Iodine is absorbed from the digestive tract and carried by serum proteins to the thyroid gland where it is stored in thyroxin. Iodine deficiency is associated with soil composition. Local produce grown in areas whose soil is low in Iodine may not supply adequate amounts of Iodine.

Uses and Benefits of Iodine

It is found in thyroid hormones. A lack of iodine will result in a condition known as a goiter in the body where the thyroid gland in the neck becomes enlarged. In order to assure an adequate amount of iodine in the diet, table salt is iodized. This approach has greatly reduced the incidence of goiter since so many people regularly use table salt.

Iodine protects the brain from toxins, and it helps to neutralize toxins found in the rest of the body. Iodine is also used in hospital operating theatres for its antiseptic qualities.

Deficiency Symptoms of Iodine

The deficiency of iodine is happen in that people who avoid dairy, seafood, processed food, and iodized salt. The deficiency of iodine in pregnant women can cause the newborn baby to develop some degree of mental retardation. An iodine deficiency produces compensatory hypertrophy of the thyroid gland, resulting in a goiter. However, severe iodine deficiency in adults may cause hypothyroidism. Mild or moderate deficiency decreases IQ by about 10 to 15 points. It can decrease fertility and increase risk of stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, and prenatal and infant mortality. The other symptoms of iodine are the diseases like apathy, drowsiness, hair loss.

Recommended Dosage of Iodine

When the iodized salt was not in existence then the situation was different. After the introduction of iodized salt, you should use the salt as this supplies the overall need of the daily iodine. So, iodine supplements are unnecessary and not recommended for most people. For strict vegetarians who avoid salt and sea vegetables, 150 mcg per day is more than adequate.

Rich Food Sources of Iodine

Iodine is added to most table salt so people generally get the required amount from just one teaspoon of iodized salt. In the food, it is found generally in Fruits and vegetables grown in coastal regions are other good sources of iodine.