Iodine

I was on Facebook earlier and there was a link on Naturalnews.com about how iodine protects you from radiation. This, of course is a response to the horrible nuclear explosion in Japan. So I started researching iodine and learned some interesting things.

First of all let's start at the beginning. I'm sure everyone knows that they started making iodized table salt because people were so deficient. With all the salt in processed foods I'm sure it's safe to say, most Americans are no longer deficient.

What is Iodine's role in the body? Iodine affects the human body in many ways. It is known to be essential in maintaining the function of the thyroid and parathyroid glands in the human body. It is also essential to the production of thyroxin, a hormone associated with the thyroid gland and proper thyroid functioning. Iodine also promotes general growth and development within the body as well as aiding in metabolism. Iodine, because of it's role in the metabolism also helps to burn off excess fat. I found a site that had some more benefits of Iodine and its role "Other possible functions include: helping to regulate moods, preventing cancer (especially in breasts, ovaries, uterus, prostate and thyroid gland), preventing and treating fibrocystic breasts in women, helping to regulate blood pressure, helping to regulate blood sugar and prevent and treat diabetes, and helping to prevent abnormal cardiac rhythms. For example, Japanese women, who have one of the lowest breast cancer rates in the world, ingest more than 13 mg of iodine daily from seaweed without suffering any adverse consequences. He further demonstrates that iodine tends to be antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, and antifungal and that it enhances immune function."

What is the recommended daily allowance? It is between 40 micrograms to 150 milligrams daily, which is usually obtained from dietary sources. For children ages 0-7 years, 90 micrograms (mcg); age 7-12 years, 120 mcg; older than 12 years, 150 mcg; and pregnant and lactating women, 200 mcg.

What food contains Iodine? Turnip greens, spinach, garlic, asparagus, swiss chard, kelp, seaweed, lima beans, mushrooms, summer squash, soybeans, sesame seeds, most seafood, eggs, strawberries, milk and yogurt. Beware though as some foods can block the uptake of iodine into the thyroid gland when eaten raw in large amounts. These include Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, peaches, pears, spinach, and turnips. If you have an under active thyroid, you should limit your consumption of these foods.

From what I have read, although you can overdose on iodine, it is pretty rare unless you are taking large quantities over an extended period of time. Now back to iodine and radiation, it has been found that iodine can protect the body against the toxic effects of radioactive materials. I am going to attach a link for a website that I recommend you read. It has some really good information about iodine and radiation. Here is a quote from it:

“If there is enough inorganic, non-radioactive iodine in our bodies, the radioactive fallout has nowhere to bind in our bodies. It will pass through us, leaving our bodies unharmed. It is important to ensure that we have adequate iodine levels BEFORE this fallout hits.” Dr. Brownstein (wrote a book called "Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can't Live Without It")

http://blog.imva.info/medicine/iodine-treatments-radiation-exposure

They recommend a specific kind of iodine supplement. Here is the link for that:

http://www.magneticclay.com/store/nascent-iodine-supplement-1.aspx

I read a way to test to see if you are iodine deficient: make a silver dollar size spot of iodine on your skin, if it fades in less then 24 hours your iodine level is deficient. Obviously you will have to get some iodine to do this test which may prove difficult with the radiation scare. Actually I am very tempted to buy some myself just in case. Not that I think the radiation from Japan will reach us, but there are plenty of nuclear plants in the US so you never know!! Better safe then sorry right?!