The Importance Of Iodine In The Body

Iodine is a trace mineral required for human life. Iodine is important in the developing of the fetus, particularly in the brain. It helps the functioning of the heart, pancreas, liver, kidneys, muscles, and brain. Iodine promotes general growth and development of the body as well as metabolism of nutrients. Iodine is important for maintaining body temperature, and helps the condition of hair, skin, teeth and nails. Iodine is essential for fertility. Deficiency of it is the single most common cause of retardation and brain damage in the world.

Most of the iodine in the body is stored in the hormones of the Thyroid gland. The Thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland at the base of the neck near the voice box. A swollen or enlarged thyroid gland can result from the lack or over abundance of the available iodine to the body under certain conditions. Iodine is also a part of every hormone in the body. Iodine is used by every hormone receptor in the body. Iodine is found in the four thyroid hormones, but particularly in Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3).

Iodine is the trigger mechanism for programmed cell death and there must be a constant source of iodine in the urine for this purpose. There is no method for resorption of iodine in the urinary tract and this is how it needs to be to make iodine available for the function in the urinary tract. Because we need to be constantly disposing of iodine we need to be continually taking it in. Depriving the renal system of iodine would immediately lead to the creation of abnormal cells and cancer.

Iodine is the ultimate adaptogen or a substance that helps to normalize bodily functions. Normally we think of adaptogens as herbs like cordycepts mushroom or rhodiola rosea. Now studies are showing that if you take enough iodine (100 to 400 times the RDA), it normalizes other body functions as well.

Good sources of iodine in food include kelp and seaweed, fish and shell fish, leafy vegetables, and dairy products from cows fed iodine supplements.

Because Iodine is a necessary part of every cell in the body, it is important that we are aware of the need to get enough iodine into our body on a daily basis. If our body runs low on iodine we will develop a condition that makes it possible for our body to limit our ability to take high doses of iodine without bad effects. The need for iodine in our bodies involves every cell in our bodies. Find a good source for Iodine and make sure you get enough every day.