Benefits of Iodine And Its Side Effects
Last Updated: Dec 20, 2024
Iodine is an essential nutrient required by the body although it is required in small amounts. The deficiency of iodine in the body can cause many different ailments like cretinism, hypothyroid and goiter. At the same time lack of iodine can also cause the body to be more susceptible to infections. Iodine is a strong antiseptic and antibiotic and can be used to treat both internal and external infections. The best part is that there are many popular foods which are rich in iodine and you can easily include them in your daily diet. Just like other micronutrients in the body although iodine is not needed in large doses it is certainly essential for the proper functioning of the body and especially the thyroid gland. This is the reason that you should consume as much iodine as you can.
Iodine
Iodine was first discovered by the French chemist Bernard Courtois who first burned seaweed in 1811 and washed the ash with water. The remaining waste when treated with sulfuric acid produced dark purple crystals of iodine. Iodine was identified as a new element by the English chemist sir Humphrey in 1814 and he named it after the Greek word ioeides which means violet colored. There is abundant natural source of iodine is salt water or sea water, in which iodine exists as a negatively charged ion. As it is present in high concentration in salt water, it is also an essential nutrient for most life forms, including human beings. Iodine is a rare element and hence iodine deficiency is quite common in human beings and other land animals.
Nutritional Value of Iodine
The most significant nutritional role of iodine in the human body is in the synthesis of the hormones triiodothyronine and thyroxine secreted by the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland absorbs iodine directly from the blood hence there is a high concentration of this element in the thyroid gland than anywhere else in the human body. Pure iodine cannot be consumed as it is, because it is highly reactive. This is the reason that it is available as supplement in compound form. Iodide salts like potassium iodide and sodium iodide are especially used for this purpose because they are highly soluble in water.
Health Benefits of Iodine
Regulating metabolism
Iodine helps in the production of the hormone that regulates the metabolism of the body and hence it can be said that it can make or break the metabolism of the body. Iodine helps the food to get absorbed in the body and in converting the food to energy. The calories in the body get burned and cause weight loss, otherwise they get stored in the body in the form of excess fat causing weight gain. Due to this process you are able to remain active and energetic throughout the day and can sleep peacefully at night. Hence it can be said that iodine helps in alleviating insomnia and depression
Supporting the thyroid gland
The hormones like thyroxine and triiodothyronine are produced by the thyroid gland with the help of iodine and these hormones are necessary for many life sustaining mechanisms. Deficiency of iodine causes the thyroid gland to increase in size causing ailments like goiter, hypothyroidism, and cretinism. Deficiency of iodine also causes the thyroid gland to function abnormally causing many problems like hair loss, memory impairment and allergies
Supporting the reproductive system
Iodine helps the reproductive organs to grow and mature naturally. At the same time iodine also helps in easy pregnancy and protects the unborn child from neurological problems. In fact, iodine is the deciding factor in the mental and physical health of the unborn child. This is the reason that doctors recommend pregnant women to take iodine supplements because they have to consume for themselves as well as the unborn child
Strengthens the immune system
Viruses and bacteria cannot thrive in an environment that is iodine rich. This is the reason that iodine protects the body from various ailments. It activates the antioxidants and hence builds a strong defense mechanism which in turn prevents serious ailments like cancer and heart disease
Can help in treating fibrocystic diseases
Fibrocystic disease is a condition in which lumps grow in the breast and iodine can help in treating this condition. It reduces the symptoms of fibrosis and prevents the unease and pain that is associated with it. This is the reason that nowadays iodine is used extensively in the treatment of fibrosis. Iodine aids in the stability and functionality of estrogen production which in turn is necessary for the health of the breasts and eliminates the formation of lumps and cysts in the breast
Sustaining cognitive ability
Iodine in the body helps in thinking and conceiving correctly. If you notice a drop in your brain activities then you should immediately check iodine levels. Studies have proved that people suffering from such conditions immediately show improvement after intake of iodine. The productivity in adults increases and it develops cognitive capabilities in children
Regulates many hormones
Iodine helps in the proper functioning of the thyroid gland which produces many hormones in the body. Hence we can say that iodine plays an important role in the functioning of this gland. This in turn keeps the hormones at the proper level and prevents their fluctuating levels. Hormones regulate a lot of processes in the body and iodine enables them to work well
Protecting against radiation
Iodine protects the thyroid gland from absorbing radiation from radioactive elements. This in turn protects the gland from any injury caused due to radiation. This property of iodine is especially useful for people who are working in places where there is a threat of radiation leaks like nuclear power plants or even radiology labs in hospitals. At the same time, iodine is also used to treat patients who are taking radiation treatment
Fighting pathogens
Iodine is a better method to treat diseases caused by pathogens. Oral antibiotics kill both the good and the bad bacteria which causes the body to be deprived of the healthy bacteria and leaving unnecessary residue in the body. On the other hand iodine has a similar effect as that of antibiotics but it does not cause harm to the good bacteria
Protecting against cancer
Iodine helps in the shrinking and death of cancer cells. The process called apoptosis is a process in which there is systematic cell death in multicellular organisms. Iodine stops and kills the cells that grow continually and kill the body. This is the reason that iodine plays a vital role in preventing breast, thyroid, gastric and prostate cancers
Keeping the nails strong
Iodine strengthens the brittle and weak nails. It also improves the overall condition of the nails and protects them from infection. It is necessary to intake a well balanced diet so that you are sure you are consuming the right amount of iodine which will maintain the health of your nails and ensure hard, clear and chip-proof nails
Improving oral health
Iodine kills the harmful bacteria in the mouth which prevents the tooth decay and dullness. Not only this, it also cleans and strengthens the teeth because it acts as a disinfectant and keeps your teeth strong and healthy. It also helps in keeping your mouth fresh and prevents bad breath
Uses of Iodine
Iodine is often used as a sterilizing agent. Most products used for sterilization products for the body contain iodine. It is an excellent wound cleaner and can be used to purify the water. It is also used in number of eye drops as it is known to provide protection against UVB radiation.
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Side-Effects & Allergies of Iodine
The good news is that there are many popular foods rich in iodine which you can include in your diet to ensure that you are consuming sufficient amounts of iodine. The ocean is the single largest source of iodine rich foods like kelp, Arame, Hiziki, Kombu and Wakame. It is a good idea to sprinkle these into soups or salads. Cranberries are not just rich in antioxidants but also in iodine. It is recommended that you buy fresh organic berries or juice. Organic yogurt is another rich source of iodine because one serving of yogurt supplies half your daily need of iodine. Other than yogurt there are many probiotic foods which are also rich in iodine and you should include them in your daily diet. Organic navy beans are quite rich in iodine and just ½ a cup of these contains about 32/mcg of iodine. Apart from their high iodine content navy beans are also high in fiber making them an excellent food. Organic strawberries contain about 10 percent of your daily requirement of iodine. One cup of fresh strawberries has about 13/mcg of iodine.
Origin And Cultivation of Iodine
The good news is that there are many popular foods rich in iodine which you can include in your diet to ensure that you are consuming sufficient amounts of iodine. The ocean is the single largest source of iodine rich foods like kelp, Arame, Hiziki, Kombu and Wakame. It is a good idea to sprinkle these into soups or salads. Cranberries are not just rich in antioxidants but also in iodine. It is recommended that you buy fresh organic berries or juice. Organic yogurt is another rich source of iodine because one serving of yogurt supplies half your daily need of iodine. Other than yogurt there are many probiotic foods which are also rich in iodine and you should include them in your daily diet. Organic navy beans are quite rich in iodine and just ½ a cup of these contains about 32/mcg of iodine. Apart from their high iodine content navy beans are also high in fiber making them an excellent food. Organic strawberries contain about 10 percent of your daily requirement of iodine. One cup of fresh strawberries has about 13/mcg of iodine.
References
- Delange F. Risks and benefits of iodine supplementation. The Lancet. 1998 Mar 28;351(9107):923-4. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:
- Delange F. Correction of iodine deficiency: benefits and possible side effects. European journal of endocrinology. 1995 May 1;132(5):542-3. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:
- Zimmermann MB, Boelaert K. Iodine deficiency and thyroid disorders. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. 2015 Apr 1;3(4):286-95. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:
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