| Iodine is a trace mineral meaning that while it is an | | | | membrane. They also may develop a fever and neck |
| important component of many bodily functions large | | | | swelling. |
| quantities are not needed to carry out these crucial | | | | |
| efforts. In fact, iodine is thought to be such an | | | | Sources of iodine |
| important mineral that the US government came up | | | | |
| with an ingenious way to ensure Americans get an | | | | Iodine is added to most table salt so people generally |
| adequate supply: Legislation recommending that iodine | | | | get the required amount from just one teaspoon of |
| be added into table salt was passed. | | | | iodized salt. Iodine is also readily present in seafood |
| | | | | and sea plants such as kelp and seaweed. Fruits and |
| As the trace mineral iodine is ingested, 75% of this | | | | vegetables grown in coastal regions are other good |
| mineral makes its way to the thyroid gland. Once there, | | | | sources of iodine. Processed foods are not a good |
| iodine joins up with two important hormones that are | | | | source of iodine as they typically are not made with |
| produced by the thyroid gland: triiodothyronine and | | | | iodized salt. |
| thyroxine. Every part of the body requires these | | | | |
| hormones. Most importantly, they play a role in the | | | | The recommended daily allowance for adults is 150 |
| body's ability to produce energy. These hormones | | | | mg/day. Women who are pregnant or who are breast |
| control and regulate basal metabolic rates. In other | | | | feeding require more: 157 mg/day and 200 mg/day |
| words, they determine how fast and how efficiently | | | | respectively. |
| the body is able to burn calories. | | | | |
| | | | | Symptoms of iodine deficiency |
| Thyroid hormones are also what helps control a child's | | | | |
| mental development and overall growth rate. Pregnant | | | | Since iodine plays a role in producing energy, the most |
| women who do not get enough iodine increase the | | | | notable symptoms of a deficiency include lethargy, |
| risks that their newborn babies will develop some | | | | slowed reflexes and a slowed metabolic rate. Skin can |
| degree of mental retardation. | | | | become dry and hoarseness can develop in the throat. |
| | | | | The amount of fat in the blood supply can increase |
| If you ever had a bruise or cut as a child, your parent | | | | which is why obesity is one of the symptoms of an |
| likely applied iodine to the affected area. That's | | | | iodine deficiency. If the deficiency continues for a long |
| because iodine is an effective antiseptic. In addition to | | | | time, the thyroid gland can become enlarged. An |
| helping clean and heal wounds, it will discolor the skin. | | | | enlarged thyroid gland is called a goiter. A goiter |
| | | | | develops when the thyroid gland is forced to work |
| For those times when secretions build up in the lungs, | | | | extra hard to produce adequate levels of thyroxine. |
| iodine is used to thin them, making these secretions | | | | Goiters usually protrude from the side of the neck. In |
| much easier to expel. | | | | children, a deficiency of iodine may cause mental |
| | | | | retardation. Fortunately, this type of deficiency is rare in |
| Individuals with iodine sensitivity may experience skin | | | | developed countries. |
| problems such as a rash or ulcers in the mucous | | | | |