Benefits of Iodine – The Healing Trace Minerals for Cysts, Thyroid, PCOD and more – Dr.Berg Graphic © herbshealthhappiness.com Background image: Shutterstock #1351194494 (under license)
Do you take enough iodine? This trace mineral may not be the first thing on your mind when making diet choices, but maybe it should. The essential mineral plays a vital role in everything from nervous system regulation to healthy immune and thyroid function. Your body needs iodine to function properly.
Since your body cannot make iodine by itself, you can only get it from an iodine-rich diet or supplementation. A low intake of iodine can have several adverse effects on your health—including goiter, fatigue, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), miscarriages, psychiatric disorders, and weight gain.
So what exactly does iodine do? How do you know when you have an iodine deficiency, and how can you optimize your intake of this mineral? Dr. Eric Berg (through his YouTube video) answers these questions in his quest to raise awareness of this vitally important trace mineral.
Health Benefits Of Iodine
Iodine is one of the 9 trace minerals your body needs for various biochemical reactions to happen—but in small amounts. Other trace minerals include zinc, copper, iron, manganese, chromium, fluoride, molybdenum, and selenium.
Here’s how your intake of iodine affects your health:
• Iodine and Thyroid Health: One of iodine’s main roles in your body is supporting the healthy function of the thyroid glands. More specifically, the trace mineral helps stimulate the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and its active metabolites, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). [1] An iodine imbalance can lead to an underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism) thyroid. [2][3]
• Iodine for Immune Function: Research suggests that optimal iodine levels (not too much or too little) may improve immune function. [4][5] The mineral is inherently an antiseptic, and it also helps protect against abnormal growth of bacteria in the gut.
• Iodine and Nervous System Health: According to a study published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, iodine plays an important role in supporting brain health and nervous system function. [6] It appears to affect several brain structures and systems, including neurotransmitters, the hippocampus, and myelin (a protective coating on nerves).
• Iodine for Fetal Development: Pregnant women need to optimize their intake of iodine. The mineral is vital for fetal development, and a deficiency may lead to diminished neural and cognitive development. [1] The recommended daily dietary allowance (RDA) of iodine for pregnant women is 220 mcg/day. [7]
• Iodine for Fibrocystic Breasts: Iodine is believed to protect against abnormal cell development. This function may help prevent fibroids— abnormal non-cancerous lumps that appear in breast tissues, especially around the menstrual cycle. [8]
• Iodine and radiation: Iodine is thought to be beneficial in reducing absorption of harmful radioactive isotopes. It was given to citizens after the Chernobyl nuclear accident.
Symptoms Of Iodine Deficiency
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that iodine deficiency “is the most common cause of preventable intellectual disability in the world.” [7] The recommended daily intake of iodine for adults is 150 mcg. This dietary allowance increases to 220 mcg for pregnant women and 290 mcg for lactating mothers.
If the daily intake of iodine fall below 100 mcg, the body increases TSH production. Elevated levels of TSH stimulate the thyroid to increase the uptake of iodine from the blood to balance it out and facilitate the production of thyroid hormone. But hypothyroidism may occur when iodine levels are too low (below 10-20 mcg daily intake). The symptoms of hypothyroidism or low thyroid hormones are mostly signs of iodine deficiency—and they include:
• Swelling in the neck [9]
• Fatigue, sluggishness, and weakness [10]
• Weight gain [11]
• An abnormally slow heart rate [12]
• Learning and memory problems [13]
• Menstrual cycle problems [14]
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) [15]
• Pregnancy problems [16]
• Sensitivity to cold temperatures [17]
• Dry skin [18]
People At Increased Risk Of Iodine Deficiency
If you suspect you have iodine deficiency, you should consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. It’s also worth noting that the following groups of people are at increased risk of iodine deficiency: [7]
• Vegans or people with food allergies that prevent them from consuming foods rich in iodine, such as dairy products and seafood.
• Those who eat a lot of foods containing goitrogens, which are substances that hinder the uptake of iodine in the thyroid. This includes cruciferous vegetables, cassava, and soy.
• Pregnant women
• Those living in regions where the soil is iodine-deficient. This includes mountainous areas and river valleys.
• People who do not consume or cook with iodized salt.
• Dr. Berg also quotes endocrine disrupters, high estrogen levels, liver damage, and lack of bile as possible causes of iodine deficiency.
Foods High In Iodine
Food is one of the best sources of iodine. While the level of iodine in foods depends on where they’re grown or raised, some healthy sources of iodine include [7]:
• Seaweed, including Kombu Kelp, Wakame, Halibut, and Nori
• Cod
• Yogurt, cheese, and other dairy products
• Strawberries
• Iodized salt
• Eggs
• Dried prunes
• Tuna
• Shrimp
• Lima beans
• Beef liver
• Chicken
If meeting the daily recommended 150 mcg iodine intake from food alone is challenging, you can look into supplements. Dr. Berg suggests taking 3-6 500-600mg tablets of sea kelp a day to optimize your iodine levels.
Keep in mind that consuming too much iodine can also be dangerous. It may trigger similar symptoms to iodine deficiency, induce hyperthyroidism, or increase the risk of thyroiditis and thyroid papillary cancer. [7] The key is moderation.
While iodine does not receive the same attention as other minerals and vitamins, it’s crucial for the body’s healthy functioning. The trace mineral supports immune function, thyroid hormone production, nervous system function, and fetal development. Consider monitoring your intake of iodine-rich foods. If you think you have signs of iodine deficiency, consult your doctor.
=====================================================
References:
[1] Patrick, L. (2008). Iodine: deficiency and therapeutic considerations. Alternative Medicine Review, 13(2): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18590348/
[2] Fragu, P., Schlumberger, M., & Tubiana, M. (1985). Thyroid iodine content and serum thyroid hormone levels in autoimmune thyroiditis: effect of iodide supplementation. Journal of nuclear medicine, 26(2), 133-139: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3968577/
[3] Kotwal, A., Kotwal, J., Prakash, R., & Kotwal, N. (2015). Does iodine excess lead to hypothyroidism? Evidence from a case-control study in India. Archives of Medical Research, 46(6), 490-494: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26247626/
[4] Chen, X., Liu, L., Yao, P., Yu, D., Hao, L., & Sun, X. (2007). Effect of excessive iodine on immune function of lymphocytes and intervention with selenium. Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 27(4), 422-425: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11596-007-0418-1
[5] Bilal, M. Y., Dambaeva, S., Kwak-Kim, J., Gilman-Sachs, A., & Beaman, K. D. (2017). A role for iodide and thyroglobulin in modulating the function of human immune cells. Frontiers in immunology, 8, 1573: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5694785/
[6] Redman, K., Ruffman, T., Fitzgerald, P., & Skeaff, S. (2016). Iodine deficiency and the brain: effects and mechanisms. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 56(16), 2695-2713: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25880137/
[7] National Institutes of Health (Office of Dietary Supplements): https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-HealthProfessional/
[8] Ghent, W. R., Eskin, B. A., Low, D. A., & Hill, L. P. (1993). Iodine replacement in fibrocystic disease of the breast. Canadian journal of surgery. Journal canadien de chirurgie, 36(5), 453-460: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8221402/
[9] Mariotti, S., & Beck-Peccoz, P. (2021). Physiology of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. Endotext [Internet]: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278958/
[10] Kostoglou-Athanassiou, I., & Ntalles, K. (2010). Hypothyroidism-new aspects of an old disease. Hippokratia, 14(2), 82: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2895281/
[11] Kim, B. (2008). Thyroid hormone as a determinant of energy expenditure and the basal metabolic rate. Thyroid, 18(2), 141-144: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18279014/
[12] Grais, I. M., & Sowers, J. R. (2014). Thyroid and the heart. The American journal of medicine, 127(8), 691-698: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4318631/
[13] Beydoun, M. A., Beydoun, H. A., Kitner-Triolo, M. H., Kaufman, J. S., Evans, M. K., & Zonderman, A. B. (2013). Thyroid hormones are associated with cognitive function: moderation by sex, race, and depressive symptoms. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 98(8), 3470-3481: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3733856/
[14] Koutras, D. A. (1997). Disturbances of menstruation in thyroid disease. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 816, 280-284: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9238278/
[15] Du, D., & Li, X. (2013). The relationship between thyroiditis and polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 6(10), 880: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3832324/
[16] Kapil, U. (2007). Health consequences of iodine deficiency. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 7(3), 267: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3074887/
[17] Mullur, R., Liu, Y. Y., & Brent, G. A. (2014). Thyroid hormone regulation of metabolism. Physiological reviews: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4044302/
[18] Safer, J. D. (2011). Thyroid hormone action on skin. Dermato-endocrinology, 3(3), 211-215: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3219173/
[1] Patrick, L. (2008). Iodine: deficiency and therapeutic considerations. Alternative Medicine Review, 13(2): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18590348/
[2] Fragu, P., Schlumberger, M., & Tubiana, M. (1985). Thyroid iodine content and serum thyroid hormone levels in autoimmune thyroiditis: effect of iodide supplementation. Journal of nuclear medicine, 26(2), 133-139: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3968577/
[3] Kotwal, A., Kotwal, J., Prakash, R., & Kotwal, N. (2015). Does iodine excess lead to hypothyroidism? Evidence from a case-control study in India. Archives of Medical Research, 46(6), 490-494: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26247626/
[4] Chen, X., Liu, L., Yao, P., Yu, D., Hao, L., & Sun, X. (2007). Effect of excessive iodine on immune function of lymphocytes and intervention with selenium. Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 27(4), 422-425: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11596-007-0418-1
[5] Bilal, M. Y., Dambaeva, S., Kwak-Kim, J., Gilman-Sachs, A., & Beaman, K. D. (2017). A role for iodide and thyroglobulin in modulating the function of human immune cells. Frontiers in immunology, 8, 1573: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5694785/
[6] Redman, K., Ruffman, T., Fitzgerald, P., & Skeaff, S. (2016). Iodine deficiency and the brain: effects and mechanisms. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 56(16), 2695-2713: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25880137/
[7] National Institutes of Health (Office of Dietary Supplements): https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-HealthProfessional/
[8] Ghent, W. R., Eskin, B. A., Low, D. A., & Hill, L. P. (1993). Iodine replacement in fibrocystic disease of the breast. Canadian journal of surgery. Journal canadien de chirurgie, 36(5), 453-460: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8221402/
[9] Mariotti, S., & Beck-Peccoz, P. (2021). Physiology of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. Endotext [Internet]: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278958/
[10] Kostoglou-Athanassiou, I., & Ntalles, K. (2010). Hypothyroidism-new aspects of an old disease. Hippokratia, 14(2), 82: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2895281/
[11] Kim, B. (2008). Thyroid hormone as a determinant of energy expenditure and the basal metabolic rate. Thyroid, 18(2), 141-144: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18279014/
[12] Grais, I. M., & Sowers, J. R. (2014). Thyroid and the heart. The American journal of medicine, 127(8), 691-698: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4318631/
[13] Beydoun, M. A., Beydoun, H. A., Kitner-Triolo, M. H., Kaufman, J. S., Evans, M. K., & Zonderman, A. B. (2013). Thyroid hormones are associated with cognitive function: moderation by sex, race, and depressive symptoms. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 98(8), 3470-3481: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3733856/
[14] Koutras, D. A. (1997). Disturbances of menstruation in thyroid disease. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 816, 280-284: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9238278/
[15] Du, D., & Li, X. (2013). The relationship between thyroiditis and polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 6(10), 880: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3832324/
[16] Kapil, U. (2007). Health consequences of iodine deficiency. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 7(3), 267: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3074887/
[17] Mullur, R., Liu, Y. Y., & Brent, G. A. (2014). Thyroid hormone regulation of metabolism. Physiological reviews: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4044302/
[18] Safer, J. D. (2011). Thyroid hormone action on skin. Dermato-endocrinology, 3(3), 211-215: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3219173/
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