The health benefits of iodine and it's uses.
Iodine, also known as 'iodide' is a very important nutrient for human health.
This is a type of mineral which is found naturally in the Earth's soils and ocean waters and is found in many plant based foods.
This has several important roles in the body, especially when it comes to regulating hormones and fighting off infections.
In today's video we will explore 19 facts and benefits of iodine, explain how it works in the body, and how to get more of this into your diet.
1. Thyroid Health
Iodine is an essential trace mineral for supporting the thyroid, an important gland found in the base of the neck. Iodine helps this gland to produce important hormones which control your metabolism, heart health, body temperature and much more. Getting at least 150mcg of iodine per day can reduce the risk of hyper/hypothyroidism and goitres.
2. Hormone Balance
This mineral is also important for keeping estrogen levels balanced in the body. Iodine naturally helps to lower bad estrogen and increase good estrogen. This helps to treat cysts in the breasts and ovaries. Sea kelp capsules are the best natural source of iodine to take if you have hormone problems.
3. Growing Children
Children need iodine to support the spinal fluid and brain health. A deficiency in iodine can lead to learning disorders like ADHD in children. Getting enough iodine however can boost intelligence and raise IQ.
4. Pregnancy
Pregnant women require more iodine, at least 220-290 mcg per day to support the growth of the fetus. Iodine helps to produce maternal and fetal thyroid hormones that help develop the babies brain and nervous system. Meeting these requirements reduces the risk of birth defects like deafness, or stunted growth.
5. Immunity
Iodine is a natural anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory mineral which helps to support your immune cells. These are your natural defenders against all kinds of infections and diseases.
6. Mental Health
Over 2 billion people worldwide are deficient in iodine, because many of the soils are depleted. This means that the foods we eat do not contain much iodine, unless they come from the sea. Unfortunately Iodine deficiency leads to lower IQ, slower learning and poor problem solving skills.
7. Liver Health
Iodine is also a fantastic mineral for supporting detoxification in your liver. This helps to break down harmful chemicals like chloride, bromine and fluoride in your body and expel them. It also helps to rid harmful heavy metals like mercury.
8. Cold Feet
If you suffer with cold feet regularly, this may be an iodine deficiency. Iodine helps to support your thyroid hormones, which control your body temperature and keep everything in balance.
9. Cystic Acne
Those who are afflicted with cystic acne can also benefit from getting more iodine in their diets. Sea kelp is an excellent supplement rich in iodine which helps to treat cystic acne naturally.
10. Sinus Health
Iodine is also used in some natural rinse product s to clear out sinus infections. It helps to regulate mucous production and prevent build ups of excessive phlegm.
11. Healing Skin
Historically iodine was a common ingredient found in skin healing ointments. It is still used today to help the skin rapidly heal from wounds, cuts and minor burns. It also kills off infections within the skin.
12. Fertility
Studies show that women who have an iodine deficiency were 46 percent less likely to get pregnant. Iodine helps to regulate hormones during the menstrual cycle which are important when it comes to conceiving a child.
13. Water Disinfection
Iodine is sometimes used in the event of natural disasters, as a means of purifying contaminated water. Two percent liquid iodine tinctures can be added to water to make it safer to drink.
14. Skin Tags
To remove skin tags, a 2.5% iodine tincture can be applied to the tag using a Q-Tip twice per day. Be sure to protect the surrounding skin with petroleum jelly. Soon the skin tag will dry up and fall away.
15. Toenail Fungus
Once again a 2.5% iodine tincture can be applied to toenails to kill off the fungus. You will need to apply this once per day until the nail has growth out. If your toenails are particularly thick, you can use a nail file to speed up the treatment.
16. RDI
Adults need 150mcg of iodine per day to meet their requirements. The body does not store iodine for long, so we must get this regularly in our diets. Pregnant/breast feeding women need between 220-290mcg per day.
17. Deficiency
Unfortunately over 2 billion people worldwide, are deficient in iodine, because many of the soils are depleted. This means that the foods that grow on these soils also do not have their usual amounts of iodine.
18. Sources
Luckily the sea and it's plants are still rich in iodine and other trace minerals, so by consuming sea food we can get this into our diets. You can find iodine in shellfish, sea kelp, sea moss, sea vegetables and cod. It is also found in eggs, and some dairy products.
19. Supplement
We highly recommend taking a daily capsule of sea kelp to meet your iodine requirements. 1 capsule usually provides enough to meet the daily requirement of 150mcg.
As you can see iodine is an absolutely essential nutrient which is often overlooked in modern society.
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