In the United States alone, nearly 13 million people suffer from some form of thyroid imbalance and often don’t know it. Iodine is a necessary nutrient not only for proper thyroid function, but is also essential for the normal functioning of body cells, the nervous system, muscles, brain development, oxygen utilization, metabolism, a strong immune system and much more. Understanding how important a critical trace mineral, such as this one, is to your overall health is well worth the time spent learning more.

Many people who were iodine deficient have witnessed some surprisingly positive results from supplementation. While it is commonly recognized in the traditional medical community, how this mineral plays an important role in aiding the production of hormones in the thyroid gland. Common symptoms of thyroid malfunction are; fatigue, unexplained weight loss or gain, muscle weakness, hair loss, concentration problems, increased allergies, fluid retention, and irritability.

According to Dr. Guy Abraham, MD, former professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and endocrinology at the UCLA School of Medicine, and a leading authority on iodine, the limits of sufficient iodine levels in the human body are well beyond this, other The possible healing functions of the body of iodine include:

1. Regulate moods

2. Prevents cancer (especially in the breasts, ovaries, uterus, prostate and thyroid)

3. Prevents and treats fibrocystic breasts in women

4. Regulates blood pressure

5. Helps regulate blood sugar, and prevents and treats diabetes

6. Helps prevent abnormal heart rhythms

Dr. Abraham noted that Japanese women have one of the lowest incidences of breast cancer in the world. They typically eat more than 13mg of iodine a day, in the form of seaweed, without experiencing any harmful side effects. It is also important to mention here that doses greater than 2 mg per day are considered by most physicians to be potentially toxic.

When Dr. Abraham began his research work on iodine back in 1998, he discovered many other positive benefits of treating iodine deficiencies in patients at doses well above the standard recommended daily dose of 2 mg.

He noted that in 1820, a French physician named Jean Lugol also used higher doses above 2mg to treat a wide variety of health conditions. Dr. Lugol successfully treated many different infectious conditions with his own specifically designed solution, which is still available by prescription today, known as ‘Lugols solution’.

Iodine tends to have antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic and antifungal qualities, it also improves immune function.

Suboptimal iodine intake levels contribute to various thyroid abnormalities, in addition to the obvious condition of thyroid goiter (swelling of the throat). Common problems are still seen today, such as hypothyroidism (underactive), hyperthyroidism (overactive), and autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid (Hashimoto’s disease).

Most people get enough iodine in their diet from seafood and iodized salt. But, only about 50 percent of Americans use iodized salt. Because they battle high blood pressure, they’ve been bombarded by standard medical hype and media attention, that reducing your salt intake is a smart move. However, high blood pressure is more directly caused by the body’s adaptation to severe dehydration. Learn more about the many health benefits of salt and water by visiting the website called watercure by Dr. F. Batmanghelidj, author of “Your Body’s Many Cries For Water.”

One gram of refined iodized table salt, which is high in chloride, contains 77 mcg of iodine. Some experts estimate that the body can absorb only about 10 percent of this iodine. Therefore, your body needs a higher form of salt. A better source of iodine and several other trace minerals, which is naturally present in unrefined sea salt, it is a wise choice. It will cost considerably more, but the health benefits are worth it. You can find this type of salt in most health food stores.

Other sources of iodine in our diet come from dairy products, meat, and eggs. However, the iodine level can have variable amounts, depending on the content of the animal feed. Approximately 40 years ago, iodate was used as a bread stabilizer in commercially produced baked goods, further increasing our iodine intake. Recently this practice has declined, in the last 30 years, and iodate was replaced with bromide as it was considered safer. Other dietary sources are certain multivitamins and eating so-called health foods like seaweed. However, they are largely unregulated and unrecognized.

If you suspect you may be deficient in this necessary trace mineral, you can perform a simple self-test, although it may not be completely accurate. Paint a two-inch spot on a soft tissue area of ​​skin, such as the upper inner arm or upper thigh, with tincture of iodine. If the stain takes longer than 18 hours to fade, it’s a good indicator that you have enough iodine. If it absorbs faster, say 2-3 hours, you may need a supplement. So, you may want to have a more accurate, in-depth, and simple urine or saliva test done.

Iodine utilization problems can be further restricted by taking goitrogens (substances that can cause the thyroid gland to enlarge) such as fluoride, bromine and bromides, and chlorine. The good thing about getting enough of this mineral is that Dr. Abraham’s work showed that sufficient levels of iodine help promote the excretion of toxic minerals like lead, mercury, and cadmium out of the body, as well as fluoride and halogens. bromide.

Water is the number one liquid choice that will help flush these harmful substances out of you faster and more efficiently than any other beverage. That’s something you’ll be able to see and feel, as water is the foundation of all nutritionally sound diet success stories.