What Is Iodine?
Iodine is a trace mineral and a very important micronutrient. It’s responsible for regulating thyroid function and essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones.
Iodine deficiency is a major health problem and can cause severe problems.
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Iodine Is Essential
Iodine is a micronutrient that is an essential component of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine, and triiodothyronine. (source 🗗)
The thyroid hormones are important for brain development and proper brain function throughout life. (source 🗗)
You can find other benefits of iodine in Iodine, I: 7 Research-Backed Benefits .
Iodine Deficiency, A Large Problem
Iodine deficiency is a significant public health problem. One reason for iodine deficiency is when the soil is poor in iodine. It will cause a low concentration of iodine in food products and lead to insufficient iodine intake in the population. (source 🗗)
Iodine deficiency can cause grave problems. It’s not causing a single disease iodine deficiency causes many disturbances in the body. (source 🗗)
An inadequate intake of iodine will lead to insufficient production of the thyroid hormones, which adversely affect the muscle, heart, liver, kidney, and developing brain. (source 🗗)
How To Get Iodine
Daily consumption of salt fortified with iodine is an effective strategy for the prevention of iodine deficiency. (source 🗗)
The main source of iodine through the diet is the consumption of foods that are fortified with iodine, like salt, dairy products, and bread. The best natural sources where iodine is abundant is seaweed, such as kelp, nori, kombu, and wakame, but can also be found in seafood. (source 🗗)
If you are interested in a list of ranked foods where you can find this nutrient. Go to our nutrition tool and check out iodine.