Tell a friend


Follow Us:

Home » Blog » Iodine’s Importance for Overall Health and Well-Being

Iodine’s Importance for Overall Health and Well-Being

Iodine article picture

Research over the course of years has uncovered many different health benefits that natural iodine has on the body, so many that it is sometimes referred to as the “Universal Nutrient.” However, its discovery was nothing less of ironic.

In 1811, a scientist by the name of Bernard Courtois was asked by Napoleon to make gun powder for his army. At the time, gunpowder was made by mixing sulfuric acid with dried, burnt seaweed. However, one day as Courtois was mixing his solutions, he accidentally added a little too much acid. To his surprise, a purple, metallic substance formed in his beakers and immediately he knew that he had found a new element [1]. Though he didn’t know it at the time, he, the man who was trying to “kill people,” discovered a substance that would advance medicine for years to come.

As research persisted over the next few years, many new and exciting revelations were made about Iodine. Now we know that one of its major uses is providing our bodies with energy [2]. When we consume iodine rich foods like seafood, yogurt, and cranberries, or through supplements, our thyroid glands use that nutrient to produce thyroid hormones that help generate energy used by every single organ in your body [2,3].

Appropriate levels of iodine, help our bodies flush out toxic chemicals such as fluorine, mercury, lead, and bromine. They also enhance the body’s ability to adequately release hormones or remove toxins. Along with combating heavy metals that may be ingested, iodine improves our immune system. It effectively hunts out free radicals in the body while stimulating the use of antioxidants to specifically defend against heart disease and even cancer. Though it is still not understood how iodine is able to combat cancer, research shows that it is able to make cancer cells go through apoptosis, a process where a cell is destroyed because of old age or improper functioning; once destroyed, these cells are replaced by new, healthier cells [2].

The list of iodine’s benefits can fill up numerous pages, as it also has effects on keeping skin bright and youthful, maintaining hair’s lustrous look, assuring proper brain growth, helping in the development of a mature reproductive system, and even allowing proper blood flow throughout the body [2,4].

Iodine has so many benefits that medical school students in the 1900’s had a saying:
“If ye don’t know where, what, and why
Prescribe ye then K [potassium] and I [iodine].”

This truly shows iodine’s potency at being one of the ultimate healing agents and essential nutrients for holistic wellbeing [5]. Though back then people were not sure why it was so effective, ongoing research has uncovered more properties. These benefits include improved immune function, reproductive health, and lowered chances of acquiring cystic fibrosis.

Clearly, large doses of iodine are not advised as too much can cause thyroid problems [6]. However, eating organic foods that are naturally rich in iodine allows for safe amounts in our diets. Some foods that are packed with iodine are cranberries, organic strawberries, cheese, potatoes, and beans. If your diet does not include the recommended level of iodine, vitamin supplements are a great alternative [7]. The morning formula of Balanced Trio provides 150 mcg of iodine, satisfying the daily intake requirement.

[1] The History of Iodine
http://www.mnwelldir.org/docs/history/iodine.htm

[2] Health Benefits of Iodine. Organic Facts.
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/minerals/health-benefits-of-iodine.html

[3] Iodine. Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center.
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/iodine

[4] Universal Remedy. Grow Youthful
http://www.growyouthful.com/remedy/iodine.php#benefits

[5] The Universal Nutrient.
http://www.curezone.org/upload/PDF/Assa_Iodine/Anaiodine6.pdf

[6] Food Fact Sheet. BDA The Association of UK Dieticians
https://www.bda.uk.com/foodfacts/Iodine.pdf

[7] 7 Foods Rich in Iodine. Global Healing Center
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/iodine-foods/

Comments

comments