Iodine deficiency causes

Information on Iodine

Iodine is among the most important elements in the human body and when a person suffers from iodine deficiency it may be even life threatening in some cases.

Most people use salt to enhance the taste of their food without even being aware of all the precious minerals it also provides. Table salt is one of the most remarkable sources of iodine.

Iodine is one of the most important essential minerals for the human body and those who suffer from iodine deficiency are in danger of having goiter, pregnancy related problems, hypothyroidism or mental retardation. Iodine cannot be produced by the human body so that is the main reason why every diet should include certain types of food that are rich in iodine.

The best sources of iodine are seaweeds and sea vegetables because the coastal areas are known for their high content of iodine, which cannot be said for the hilly and mountain regions. It is a good idea to stick with seafood, fish and shellfish. Other good sources of iodine may include bread, mushrooms, cheese, leafy vegetables, milk, onion, eggs, yogurt, and soy milk.

Another remarkable source of iodine is of course the iodized salt. The thyroid glands use iodine so that they can produce the hormone called thyroxine. It is very important for the production of energy and numerous different metabolic processes.

Iodine is very efficient in developing the nervous system, regulating the levels of estrogen and building the connective tissues in the human body. It has very strong antioxidant properties and it can be very helpful in the prevention of cancer.

The symptoms of iodine deficiency may include imbalanced mental health, weight gain, thyroid problems and fatigue.

Iodine Deficiency Causes

Iodine deficiency can sometimes trigger numerous different serious medical conditions and complications. The most common cause of iodine deficiency is the intake of food which does not contain enough iodine.

In order to avoid this, one must balance the diet in a healthy manner so that it contains sufficient amounts of iodine. An increased metabolic rate which is often associated with pregnancy and adolescence can trigger numerous different iodine deficiency disorders.

That is why adolescents and pregnant women should always ingest foods that are rich in iodine.

Certain types of toxic substances can also decrease the levels of iodine in the human body.

They are referred to as the halides. Iodine supplements may be helpful in certain cases.