Why is Iodine so important?

What is Iodine?

Iodine is a trace element and is very important to thyroid function and hormone synthesis. Every receptor in the human body uses iodine. We all need trace amounts of iodine in all of our hormone receptors for our hormones to work correctly. Iodine deficiency is very common in women and can cause hypothyroidism, especially subclinical hypothyroidism. Oestrogens inhibit the absorption of iodine so, if we have an ‘oestrogen dominance situation’, iodine will not be absorbed and we will be left deficient.

Low thyroid can also cause other problems as well including;

•  thyroid goitre (a benign thyroid tumour),

• ovarian cysts,

• hormonal imbalances,

• and fibrocystic breasts (fibrocystic breast disease is when a woman has painful and lumpy breasts).

Also, iodine deficiency can contribute to severely stunted physical and mental growth, mental retardation, and deafness in children due to untreated congenital hypothyroidism.

So, make sure your iodine levels are balanced! Incredible but true – nearly 72% of the world’s population is deficient in iodine! Iodine can protect against breast cancer, it is an antibacterial, antiparasitic, antiviral agent.

Good to know these things.

Get your iodine levels checked!