Iodine: Benefits, Properties, and Where to Find It

It is the most important natural protector of the thyroid. It normalizes metabolism and is a cure-all for the skin and hair. It iodineIodine is very important for maintaining our body's health. The importance of iodine is confirmed by the fact that its deficiency, especially in children, slows growth and development. In children, hypothyroidism can lead to short stature, learning difficulties, symptoms of lethargy and apathy, and a delay in sexual maturation. In adults, however, iodine deficiency causes significant thyroid problems.

Index of topics

What

Lo iodine, from the ancient Greek “iodes” (violet) is a mineral found in nature in various chemical forms. In the form of iodide It is present in small percentages in marine waters while it is quite abundant, as sodium iodate, in some saline deposits.

What is iodine used for?

Iodine plays an important preventive role in various pathologies, in particular those thyroid. In fact, it is a fundamental micronutrient for the proper thyroid function and for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, i.e. the triiodothyronine (T3) , thyroxine (T4)Thyroid hormones regulate numerous metabolic processes that involve various organs and systems throughout life, starting from the fetal stage. These metabolic functions include the development of the central nervous system and'body growth.

Benefits

The only salt recommended, in moderation, is fromWorld Health Organization According to the Ministry of Health, it's iodized salt. It carries this name because it contains a mineral, iodine, which is essential for balancing our metabolism. Without iodine, for example, we run the risk of thyroid problems (starting with the onset of goiter) and more.

Property

Iodine plays a crucial role in the functioning of the thyroid, an organ that in turn influences many aspects of health. If the thyroid functions well, in fact, our body stays in shape more easily, avoidingfat accumulation or l 'excessive thinnessThis gland also plays a key role in regulating heart rate and blood pressure, as well as in the removal of toxins and the proper metabolism of other minerals, such as calcium and silicon. An adequate intake of iodine also helps maintain healthy skin and strengthen hair. Another property that scientific literature attributes to the mineral is its antioxidant properties.

What does iodine deficiency mean?

Insufficient iodine intake during intrauterine and neonatal life can cause various impacts, even serious ones, including the arrest of brain maturation, with serious consequences for intellectual development. Later, iodine deficiency can have more or less significant neurological, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal effects. Iodine deficiency is also the cause of many thyroid diseases, primarily multinodular goiter, commonly known as goiterWe are faced with a pathology consisting of an increase in the volume of the thyroid. As Epicentro, the portal of epidemiology for public health managed by theIstituto Superiore di Sanita, "In Italy, approximately 6 million people suffer from goiter, more than 10 percent of our country's population."In the young population alone, goiter affects at least 20 percent of people. From an economic perspective, the disease's impact is estimated at over 150 million euros per year.

Where it is

The body produces iodine only in small amounts. Therefore, the main source of the micronutrient remains food. In addition to using iodized salt, consuming foods that contain a good amount of it is helpful to ensure the body receives an adequate daily intake of this precious mineral.

Iodine in the sea

The sea is rich in iodine. One liter of seawater contains approximately 50 micrograms of iodine, compared to a daily requirement of 150 micrograms. Even breathing deeply in seawater allows us to absorb iodine, which is one of the reasons why people with thyroid problems are recommended to take a seaside vacation to heal themselves. Bathing in iodine-rich salt water, taking walks while inhaling marine iodine, and the wind, temperature, and humidity of seaside locations all contribute to this. Through the sea air, it's as if we were creating a natural aerosol of iodine, sodium chloride, bromine, and MagnesiumThe only recommendation from doctors is to prefer the early hours of the morning, before 11 am, and after 16 pm.

Daily requirement

As far as the requirement is concerned, the recommended iodine dose According to European standards, an adolescent or adult needs 150 micrograms per day. However, the daily requirement varies depending on age and is higher in pregnant and breastfeeding women, when it reaches 200-290 micrograms per day.

Foods that contain iodine

Le main food sources of iodine These include sea fish and shellfish. Seaweed also contains a good amount of iodine. In other foods, iodine is present in varying amounts. Other foods in which it can be found include:

The eggs
Cereals
The meat
Cow's milk

How can it be taken?

The mineral is also found in fruit, legumes and vegetables, in percentages that vary depending on the presence of iodine in the soil in which the products were grown.

How to use it

In addition to its essential role in the body's health, iodine is now used in various compounds for a wide variety of purposes. Among the best-known uses are:

La iodine to disinfect
The ipotassium oxideor in photography
Iodine as contrast medium in x-ray and in computed tomography

Iodized salt

Specific studies have highlighted that the average amount of iodine consumed daily Dietary intake is insufficient to meet daily requirements for this mineral. For this reason, both the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health recommend preventing any deficiency by using iodized salt instead of regular table salt. iodine-enriched salt It consists of ordinary table salt to which iodine salts have been added. It has no particular taste or odor. For proper storage, it should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place. In addition to the iodine already ingested through the diet, each gram of iodized salt provides the body with an additional 30 micrograms of iodine, corresponding, for an adult, to 1/5 of the daily requirement. At the same time, however, it is advisable to reduce your usual salt intake. High sodium intake increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the key to follow is: “A little salt but iodized”.

Iodine: What it's for, where it's found, and how to use it