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Initially
discovered as a new element in 1811 by Barnard Courtois, knowledge of this
substance has come to include the host of benefits it brings to the body as an
essential nutrient. For many years, getting enough iodine in the diet naturally
was difficult in many geographic regions and remains so for an unfortunately
high percentage of the world's population in the developing nations. With the
introduction of iodized salt, meeting the daily iodine requirement became nearly
effortless and inexpensive in the industrialized nations. In these nations,
iodine deficiency is now rare. As developing nations are able to make the shift
to iodized salt, their rates of iodine deficiency and the diseases associated
with it have also begun to decrease.
One of the main ways that iodine affects the body and health is through its
interactions with the thyroid gland. Approximately 80% of the iodine found in
the body is located in the thyroid. With the help of iodine, the thyroid is able
to produce its hormones: thyroxine and triodothyronine. These hormones play a
major part in regulating processes relating to growth and development of the
body and influence the maturation of the reproductive system.
Because of its influence on the thyroid's activities, iodine therefore plays a
great role in the basic metabolism processes and levels in the body. It helps in
overseeing that the body efficiently burns calories thus preventing excess
calories from being stored as excess fats. It has a role in maintaining the
energy level of the body and in helping the skin, teeth, nails and hair to he
strong and healthy. Iodine also plays a big role in destroying toxins in the
body and also helps the system in utilizing both the mineral calcium and
silicone.
A deficiency in iodine can negatively affect the health and functioning of the
body and mind in many ways some of which are more serious than others. The
symptoms of iodine deficiency that affect the mind range from feelings of
frustration and anxiety to depression to mental retardation stemming from an IQ
point decrease of up to 15 points to the severe mental retardation relating to
such diseases as cretinism which includes serious physical malformations.
According to the World Health Organization, iodine deficiency is among the
leading causes of mental retardation worldwide. Physical symptoms of iodine
deficiency can include dry, scaly skin, fatigue, constipation, unusual weight
gain, impaired thyroid operation, goiters, decreased fertility, increased rate
of stillbirth, and growth abnormalities ranging in severity.
It is truly shameful that people suffer such horrific affects from a deficiency
that could be resolved with mere pennies per person. Iodized salt is so
inexpensive and if could be spread throughout the poverty centers of the
developing nations, the needless suffering of millions could be alleviated.
Infants need to have 40 micrograms to 50 micrograms per day if iodine, children
from 1 to 3 years of age need 70 micrograms daily, ages 4 to 6 require 90
micrograms per day, ages 7 to 10 need 120 micrograms daily, and children aver 11
should have 150 micrograms per day. In turn, pregnant women need more iodine
intake than the normal adult. A whooping 175 micrograms of iodine daily is
needed daily for these women and breastfeeding women should have 200 micrograms
daily. A mere quarter of a teaspoon of iodized salt contains 95 micrograms of
iodine. So for a healthy mind and body, be sure to consume the required daily
dose of iodine. |
