Not many of us pay attention to what we eat and what really goes inside our body. While a lot has been said about the nutrients and the vitamins that we need to consume regularly, how much do we know about the importance of iodine? Have you imagined what would happen to your body due to insufficient iodine? In certain countries, it is a legislative requirement to use iodized table salt. There are a number of health advantages of iodine which need to be understood and considered by one and all.
Your thyroid gland and iodine
The biggest problem related to iodine deficiency is thyroid dysfunction. All of us have a thyroid gland which creates two types of hormones that are built from numerous atoms of iodine. The thyroid hormones can control the metabolism of your body and will regulate everything from the heart rate to the body temperature and the consumption of glucose. When there is excessive thyroid hormone, it will lead to high metabolism which causes hyperthyroidism. Individuals suffering from this condition tend to experience a rapid heart rate with excessive sweating, palpitations and also feel warm in a cold place. They tend to lose weight and feel weak in the muscle.
As against it, very little atoms in thyroid hormone which is known as hypothyroidism will result in opposite symptoms which include a slower heart rate, weight gain, hair loss, dry hair and feeling cold in a warm room. It could also lead to fatigue and depression at times. Sometimes the brain function can be impaired in babies who are born to mothers who have very low iodine levels. The deficiency of iodine can lead to symptoms of hypothyroidism and could also produce symptoms that lead to hyperthyroidism. Iodine deficiency is easily found in people who live away from the oceans. You can learn more about the troubles caused by iodine deficiency on this post. It is very important to have a healthy thyroid function for many reasons. The gland will also have an impact on the other glands inside the body. All the glands have a tendency to communicate with one another using hormones and in case of an imbalance in one hormone, it will lead to many other imbalances.
Breast health and iodine
Breast tissue in humans contains a high concentration of iodine as compared to the thyroid gland itself. It has the same type of proteins which are present inside a thyroid gland and it ensures the uptake of essential iodine from your bloodstream. Iodine is very important for the development of the brain of a newborn. This is why a pregnant woman needs to have sufficient iodine in the body. It is a means of supply for the child. Iodine also has a powerful antioxidant effect with the enzymes and chemicals which are found in the breast tissue. It can also help regulate the stress hormones in the human body. They are linked closely to an immune function and abnormal cortisol is linked to immune function. In case of abnormal cortisol, there will be a high risk related to cell mutation. Japanese are known for a long life span because of a diet that is rich in vegetables and fish.
Cardiovascular health and iodine
There might be symptoms present but hypothyroidism can arise from very low levels of iodine and it can lead to heart disease and a stroke. A thyroid dysfunction will elevate the level of cholesterol in the body and it will lead to a high risk of narrowing of the arteries. In addition, hypothyroidism can also weaken the heart muscle tissue which is also associated with a high waist to hip ratios. These factors are associated with cardiovascular disease.
It can be rightly said that iodine plays an important role in numerous processes that are carried out in our body. It is very easy to correct the deficiency of iodine through our diet. Easily found in sea vegetables and in fish, you need to build a diet keeping the importance of iodine in your mind. Iodine supplements are also easily available and they provide you with many other minerals which are essential for your mind and body. Even a minor deficiency in the body can make a huge difference to your health and it is very important to ensure that pregnant women have adequate iodine for the health and well being for the child. Always ensure you eat iodized salt and if not, take iodine supplements to make up for the deficiency.
