Iodine is a trace element, which means that we don’t need a ton of it in order to function properly, but we still need it. The kicker is that the body doesn’t make it naturally, so we’ve got to get it from outside sources.
Running low on it for long periods of time will result in Iodine Deficiency. This means you’ll be missing out on the following benefits, and also setting yourself up for certain conditions and diseases.
Here are some of the things that can help with.
Amazing Benefits of Iodine for Your Thyroid and Overall Health
1. Improves Cognitive Abilities
It’s been shown that those with an impairment in cognitive function are brought up to speed on their Iodine levels there is an improvement that goes along with it.
For most people their cognitive functioning is just fine, and this is due to getting enough Iodine on a regular basis.
For those that have had a sinking suspicion that they are behind in both cognitive abilities and having low amounts, it’s worth getting things checked out.
2. Detoxes Fluoride
You don’t want to consumer too much Iodine just to try to get rid of fluoride, but getting the right amount of Iodine will help to make sure that your body has the ability to combat the level of toxic fluoride.
Fluoride accumulates in the body over time, so it’s good to be able to help neutralize it with Iodine, rather than letting it store up over several months of even years.
The good news is that you are likely getting enough Iodine, so this is happening for most people automatically.
3. Improves Metabolism
Your thyroid is a major factor in regulating your metabolism, and if your Iodine levels are low, you run the risk of having an underactive thyroid, and therefore a sluggish metabolism.
Get your Iodine levels to a good place and all else being equal you should see an increase in your metabolic rate.
It’s always a good idea to get tested to see if you do indeed have an Iodine deficiency, rather than just assuming you do and taking a supplement when it’s not needed.
4. Protects Thyroid
Because of the world we live in, each day we’re bombarded by products, foods, drinks, and lifestyles that expose us to free radicals. These attack the body, including the thyroid.
Having the right amount of Iodine helps to protect the thyroid from free radical damage. Not having enough means you are leaving it susceptible to this damage, which over time can lead to additional problems and conditions.
5. Balances Hormones
Having low amounts of Iodine can throw your hormones out of whack because it has a direct effect on your thyroid gland, which in turn regulates many of your hormones.
It has also been said to help bring your libido up to its natural levels. Sometimes it can be hard to identify the symptoms of low Iodine, but together with your doctor you can figure it out, and if you find out that you’ve been running a shortage you can take steps to make things right again.
6. Improves Hair Growth
You shouldn’t start taking massive amounts of Iodine in hopes that it will help turn around your male pattern baldness, but it has been linked to the health of the hair, and how fast it grows.
This is just one sign that you may be running behind on your Iodine, if you’ve noticed that your hair is not growing as quickly, or as fully as it used to.
Be sure to look for other signs before drawing conclusions.
7. Increases Energy Levels
Not getting enough Iodine each day sets you up for not having as much energy as you would otherwise. This is because it helps with proper thyroid function, and this is a big factor in whether you feel up and ready to go, or if you feel lethargic and like you need more rest.
It’s not something that is often discussed when talking about healthy energy levels, but more and more we’re finding out the important role that Iodine plays in that department.
8. Provides Protection from Radiation
One benefit of Iodine that most people will hopefully not need to experience is that it helps protect from radiation.
This can come in handy for disasters like the one at the nuclear power plant in Japan, but doctors are also using it to help patients recover from radiation treatments.
9. Protects from Pathogens
Iodine is being considered more and more as an alternative to using antibiotics in the body to treat certain pathogens.
Many people do not like the idea of taking an oral antibiotic, since it’s been known to kill off good bacteria as well as bad, and can leave the body with excess levels of candida.
But Iodine has been shown to have a similar effect while not damaging healthy bacteria that the body needs.
10. Protects Against Cancer
In a process known as apoptosis, Iodine helps the body kill off cells that could end up leading to cancer.
This is one of the most important reasons to get your Iodine levels checked at your next doctor visit, or even to schedule a particular visit to have all of your vitamin and mineral levels checked.
You can’t really know what you need to focus on if you don’t know what you’re lacking, or what you’re abundant in.
At The End
You might not have given much consideration to your Iodine levels over the years, but if you’ve grown more curious about what it is, what it’s doing for you, and what happens if you don’t get enough of it, hopefully the information above has helped.
While it is an essential mineral for the body, it’s also one that has a lot of debate over how much is enough, and what it means to consume too much of it.
Be sure to do your own research and draw your own conclusions so that you can decide what’s the right next step for you.
