I love minerals and one of my all-time fav minerals is definitely IODINE. It is also one of the most common mineral deficiencies I see in most people, including babies and the elderly. Iodine is needed for so many important metabolic functions including helping us to burn body fat, stimulating metabolism, making active thyroid hormones, acting as a precursor to dopamine (to switch on the lights), helping children to develop physically and mentally and also helping us to chelate out toxic heavy metals and radiation. It also helps us to utilize energy from food correctly and enhances the function of our brain. Seventy to eighty per cent of the body’s iodine is found in our thyroid gland. The rest is spread throughout the ovaries/prostate, muscles and blood. Iodine helps to chelate out all heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, mercury and aluminium and it helps to protect against several forms of cancer including breast, ovarian, endometrial, prostate cancer and even lymphoma. It is a natural antibiotic that helps to destroy nasty bacteria and bugs in the blood and on the skin.
So how do you know if you are deficient in iodine? Some of the common signs and symptoms of iodine deficiency include:
• Feeling the cold
• Poor growth in children
• A sluggish metabolism and weight gain
• Fluid retention
• Dry hair and skin
• Fatigue
• Low resistance to infections, colds and flu’s
• Low libido and sex drive
• High cholesterol
• Poor memory or foggy brain
• Breast cysts or lumps
• Low testosterone in males
• An underactive thyroid
• Goitre and a swollen neck
• And so much more…..
Unfortunately iodine deficiency is incredibly common now as our soils are highly depleted in this valuable mineral and many of our ocean creatures are overloaded with mercury that can block iodine absorption. Fluoridating water is a fantastic way to block the absorption of iodine and if you think you’re in the clear because you drink filtered water, think again. Your main organ is your skin and if you don’t filter out the fluoride in your bathing water, you are simply taking this in all of the time through the skin. Bromines, which are found in pesticides, plastics (used to make computers), bakery goods particularly baking flour, soft drinks, medications and in water treatment (drinking water, pools and spas) block thyroid function and displace iodine leading to severe deficiencies. Electromagnetic devices like wifi’s, computers and mobile phones emit dangerous EMF frequencies and iodine naturally helps to protect against these. I work in front of a computer everyday and it surprised me to find out I was deficient in iodine. It was no wonder I was starting to get some PMS symptoms, a foggy brain and tiredness at the end of the day. As soon as I supplemented with the right iodine, all of my symptoms disappeared. Scans, X-Rays and even flying is a great way to increase your radiation load and to ensure iodine gets used up at a faster pace. Eating too many foods rich in goitrogens like cabbage, cauliflower and soybeans can interfere with the use of iodine by the thyroid.
The best natural sources of iodine are found in the ocean in the form of crustaceans, some types of fish and seaweeds. Raw milk, that isn’t homogenized and pasteurized (often called ‘Bath Milk’) is another great source of iodine. Iodine in certain foods is highly dependent on soil levels and as many soils are now depleted in this, so it is no wonder so many foods are lacking this important mineral.
Food sources
The amount of iodine found in foods is highly dependent upon the amount of iodine in the soil where it is grown. If the soils are deficient, then all of the following foods will be deficient too.
My Fav Iodine Foods
Dairy Foods: Raw cheese, raw milk and raw butter
Eggs: Eggs
Fruit: Pineapple
Fungi: Mushrooms
Herbs: Black Walnut, Eyebright, Bladderwrack, Dandelion, Black pepper
Mineral Foods: Iodized Table Salt (I don’t like the high sodium), Himalayan salt
Nuts and Seeds: Peanuts, Sunflower Seeds
Seafood: Oysters, clams, scallops, prawns, crab, lobster, cod
Sea Vegetables: Kelp, wakame, arame, hijike, dulse
Vegetables: Onions, Spinach, Tomato, Carrot, Watercress, Radish, Lettuce, Garlic
Other Chocolate – especially dark
At my ‘natural health centre’ we use modern devices to gauge iodine deficiency. If you want to confirm this, ask your doctor to perform a urine iodine test. If you do have a severe deficiency, sometimes food alone will never replenish your stores, in this case it is best to supplement with the right form of iodine for your needs. I have my own brand iodine at work that I use which is brilliant, but Lugol’s, nascent iodine and various other forms can work really well too with different situations. You can take the drops or tablets internally or even put onto your skin, as the skin is another great way to absorb iodine. In fact, I often do this with my kids when they are asleep as they work with ipads everyday. Putting iodine on the soles of their feet draws out the dangerous radiation and gives them extra protection against EMF frequencies.
To get more advice on how to fix this problem, I would always consult with a qualified naturopath to help you find out the exact reason for a deficiency. In the meantime, increase your intake of seaweeds, crustaceans and ocean fish. Always check your seaweed source for radiation testing – personally I love SPIRALFOODS seaweeds, but I’m sure there are many other amazing brands. If you wish to consult with an amazing practitioner to find out your exact needs, please contact our health centre on +61 (07) 55 363 113. For more cool information, check out my Instagram at katrinaellisND – In mineral love….kaia x
