Iodine is a mineral that plays an essential role in women's well-being. It is a vital micronutrient for all stages of life, including fetal development and early childhood. Iodine is metabolized in the human body through a series of stages involving the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid gland, and blood.
Despite being present in only small amounts, iodine is crucial for a properly functioning thyroid gland, which regulates hormones that control metabolism, growth, and development. In this article, we will explore why iodine is so important for women's well-being and how you can ensure you are getting enough of it in your diet.
Introduction to Iodine and Its Importance for Women's Health
While most of the iodine is in the Thyroid gland, it can be found in several other areas of the body: mammary glands, eye, gastric mucosa, cervix, and salivary glands.
The human body requires iodine to produce thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), two hormones produced by the thyroid gland. Its deficiency interferes with the synthesis of these hormones. When that happens, the pituitary steps in by increasing the TSH, which then stimulates the thyroid to increase the uptake of iodide and ensures that the thyroid hormone is in enough supply. Animal studies have proven that iodine normalizes elevated adrenal corticosteroid hormone secretion related to stress and reverses the effects of hypothyroidism on the ovaries, testicles, and thymus.
The mammary glands have a trapping system for iodine similar to that of the thyroid gland; they seem to “compete” with the thyroid gland for ingested iodine. When iodine disappears into the breast tissue, it also decreases the ability to supply the thyroid gland with enough iodine.
The Dangers of Iodine Deficiency Disorders
Iodine deficiency is a significant public health problem worldwide, particularly in developing countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 2 billion people globally have insufficient levels of iodine intake. This has led to increased rates of goiter, cretinism, stillbirths, miscarriages, and congenital abnormalities. Goiter is a condition where the thyroid gland becomes enlarged due to iodine deficiency, while cretinism refers to severe mental retardation caused by lack of iodine during fetal development. Additionally, iodine deficiency can impair cognitive development in children and reduce productivity among adults.
How Iodine Can Help Prevent Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer affecting women today. According to cancer.org, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer. It is the second leading cause of death among women. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, studies suggest that adequate iodine intake may play a protective role against this disease. Research has shown that in this form of cancer, one of the leading causes is the lack of iodine. Research also indicates that iodine helps to regulate estrogen production, which is a hormone associated with breast cancer risk. Iodine supplementation has been shown to reduce breast tumor size and growth rate in animal models. If you were to research, other areas of the world, especially Japan and Iceland, have very low incidences of breast cancer due to their high intake of iodine-rich foods. The Benefits of Iodine Supplementation for Women's WellbeingIn addition to its importance for thyroid function, iodine also offers several benefits for overall health. For example, iodine supports immune system function, promotes healthy skin, hair, and nails, and helps to detoxify the body from heavy metals such as mercury and cadmium. Iodine stimulates the regular killing of defective and abnormal cells and reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS). Additionally, iodine supplementation has been linked to improved fertility outcomes, reduced pregnancy complications, and better neurological development in infants. Accumulation of iodine in the breast plays a vital role during breastfeeding because it has proven to be an antioxidant.
Getting tested
You can ensure you have enough Iodine in your system in three ways. If you have symptoms of a goiter or hypothyroidism, do a 24-hour urine collection for iodine. If it is below 50 ug/liter, that would indicate low iodine. Another way to check thyroid function is to do a basal body temperature test. It consists of taking your temperature for at least six days, adding up the readings, and dividing by six. The average reading should be between 97.8 and 98.6. If you want more information, I have instructions and a list of symptoms related to a weak thyroid. The third way is to put one drop of Lugol’s iodine on the forearm. If it disappears quickly (in less than an hour), you may be low in iodine.
Ways to get more Iodine
Eating more fish and seaweed-type foods are good ways to get more iodine into your diet. Here at Positive Life Changes, LLC, we have products that improve thyroid function. My favorite is Crystal’s Super Greens (a powder). I use this every day. My blood work showed my thyroid to be “very normal” (doctor’s words). It has dulse, kelp, spirulina, chlorella and more. We also have each of these in a tincture form. Many customers have improved their thyroid function by using the T.A.P. (Thyroid Adrenal Pituitary) formula herb tincture. Another way to increase iodine in your body (and quicker) is to use Lugol’s iodine 10% solution. (We have this available as well).
Conclusion
Getting enough iodine in your diet is critical for maintaining good health, especially if you are a woman. Before starting any new supplement routine, consult your doctor to determine the correct dosage. Remember, iodine is essential for optimal health and well-being, but too much can be dangerous. Stay informed about the risks and benefits of iodine supplementation and make educated decisions about your healthcare needs. Here at Positive Life Changes, we offer free consultations. Come see us at the Made in Montana Trade Show coming up in the first of March at the Helena fairgrounds. Good Health to You, Crystal
To learn more, here are two articles that I took some of my research from:
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