Here Is the best weight loss way The trace mineral iodine is known for its crucial role, allowing the body's production of vital thyroid hormones, but it is also important to the health of the immune system and optimal brain function. It is widely believed by many authorities iodine deficiency, which should never be seen in the affluent West, although this problem affects millions throughout the developed world.
Some nutritionists argue, however, that this conventional view is too optimistic, because the content of all minerals in foods is heavily dependent on mineral content of soil from which the foods are derived. The hypothesis therefore must be that the continuing de-mineralization of soils led to a reduction in the amount of dietary iodine commonly consumed.
Fish and other seafood, however, be a relatively rich source because these ocean creatures concentrate the sea of iodine in their flesh. Though not commonly eaten in the West, seaweed, or seaweed, is also an excellent source of iodine for this reason, and is readily available in the form of food supplements. Dairy products and certain meats may also be a good source, particularly where iodine is routinely added to farm animal feed. But in countries, including most of Western Europe, where the animals graze in fields growing iodine depleted soils, levels are likely to be much lower.
Thus, even in the West, including those not fish or seafood in their diets, and not using iodised or sea salt, may be at real risk of disability. In an effort to compensate for low levels of dietary iodine, the mineral has been routinely added to table salt common in the U.S. for many years. But this practice is not as common in the UK and other European countries, especially when iodised or natural "sea salt" has been marketed as a luxury alternative. The problem of insufficient iodine diet was composed of both sides of the Atlantic, however, the growing concern about the possible adverse health consequences, particularly hypertension, excessive salt. Many nutritionists, however, that these fears as exaggerated, and believe that such potential problems are much less severe than the consequences of a lack of iodine, and can be easily solved through the use of low sodium salt alternatives available.
Iodine, however, may in no way be considered a luxury. Its essential function is the production of vital thyroid hormones, thyroxin, also known as T4, and tri-iodothyronine, or T3. And as you know, these hormones are extremely important for ensuring a healthy metabolic rate and energy release food, so an underactive thyroid gland is usually the villain in cases of excess weight, especially when it sudden-onset, and cases of difficulty losing weight even when following a significant reduction program. A healthy thyroid gland is also crucial for the proper functioning of the immune system.
But perhaps more importantly, deficiency of iodine is also known as a major cause of preventable brain damage, a problem that the World Health Organization estimated to affect an astonishing 50 million people worldwide. Unfortunately, many of these cases occur in children whose mothers were iodine deficient in pregnancy, resulting in a condition of severe retardation of brain development known as congenital hypothyroidism, or "cretinism". Even where such catastrophic consequences are avoided, iodine deficiency in childhood can have serious effects on brain development, leading to low energy and motivation for learning, and measurable impairment of IQ scores.
Since 2001, the Food and Nutrition Board of the U.S. Institute of Medicine (FNB) has prescribed a Recommended Dietary Allowance for iodine of 150 mcg for all individuals over 14, rising to 220 mcg for pregnant women and 290 mcg for breastfeeding. A little confused, however, excessive consumption of iodine is also associated with a malfunctioning or enlargement of the thyroid gland as well as mouth ulcers, headaches and stomach disorders, and the FNB therefore advises a safe limit to the top of the daily consumption of 1,100 mcg iodine for adults. Most people who eat a conventional Western diet are unlikely to exceed this level.
With the possible exception of pregnant and lactating women, people in the West who use liberal quantities of iodised salt as a regular seasoning are unlikely to need further supplements. But many commercial multi-mineral preparations contain iodine in reasonable quantities, usually in the form of potassium iodide, although perhaps not strictly necessary, these additional doses will be no harm and can be considered as a useful insurance policy, since as all the minerals needed by the body, iodine functions best in the presence of adequate supplies of all others. This should be particularly noted in this context that the effect of any deficiency of iodine may be intensified by any deficiency of selenium, iron and vitamin A.
