Why Is Iodine So Important?

Iodine is an essential mineral to the human body and because the human body does not produce iodine itself, it can only be absorbed through food or by taking supplements. When iodine intake is poor, it can lead to many negative effects, with the most popular being cognitive damage in newborns and thyroid issues.

Iodine deficiency of mothers during pregnancy can potentially lead to brain development issues in their newborns. An expecting mother needs 1.5x the iodine intake that she would need if she wasn’t pregnant. America now has iodine included in more food options than ever before yet many expecting mothers in the U.S. continue to live with an insufficient amount of iodine in their daily diet.

Iodine deficiency can also lead to thyroid issues. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that uses the mineral iodine to make hormones. These hormones are then used by the body to make energy and keep you warm.

How do I know if I’m suffering from iodine deficiency? You might notice swelling in the neck. This means you might have an inflamed thyroid gland. This inflamed thyroid gland is often referred to as Goiter, and it was a huge problem in the early 1900s for the U.S. where in some parts of the country, more than ⅔ of the population was suffering from Goiter.

How do I know if I’m getting enough iodine in my diet? Doctors can test your pee to see if you’ve had enough iodine recently.

Iodine deficiency can also lead to thinning of your hair, dry skin, feeling cold, tired, constipated, depression and a gain in weight more easily over the years. Talk to your doctor if you notice any of these signs. It is best to talk to your doctor about your symptoms to see if you might be suffering from iodine deficiency.

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