Iodine

Many people associate iodine with the topical antiseptic their mother swabbed on their childhood scrapes and bruises. But the real value of this trace mineral lies in the role it plays in thyroid health. Without iodine, the vitally important thyroid gland can't function properly.

What it is

Although the body needs only tiny amounts, iodine is so crucial to overall health that, beginning in the 1920s in New Zealand and in the 1930s in Australia, the government allowed manufacturers volutarily to add iodine to table salt, mainly as a safeguard against thyroid enlargement (goitre) and the severe form of mental retardation called cretinism, which is caused by iodine deficiency (although the condition was rare in these countries). Despire the recognised important of this vitamin mineral, however, about 1.6 billion people in the world, mostly in underdeveloped countries, still suffer from iodine deficiency.

What it does

Uniquely among minerals, iodine has only one main function in the body: it enables the thyroid gland to manufacture thyroxine, a vitally important hormone that regulate metabolism in all the body's cells.

Prevention

By getting enough iodine, pregnant women can prevent cretinism (a type of mental retardation) in their developing fetus.

Additional benefits

Unlike many other minerals, iodine doesn't seem to help in the treatment of specific diseases. It does, however, play a fundamental role in ensuring the health of the thyroid, the butterfly-shaped gland that surrounds the windpipe (trachea). When your iodine intake is adequate, your body contains about 20-50 g of it, and 75% of that amount is stored in the thyroid. This organ controls the body's overall metabolism, which determines how quickly and efficiently kilojoules are burned up. It also regulates growth and development in children; reproduction, nerve and muscle function; the breakdown of proteins and fats; the growth of nails and hair; and the use of oxygen by every cell in the body. There is some evidence that iodine derived from an organic source may be effective in reducing the pain of cyclic breast disorder, but paitents should discuss this type of supplementation with their practitioner first.

Common uses

  • Corrects iodine deficiency.
  • Ensures proper functioning of the thyroid gland.
  • May help to treat cyclic breast disorder.

Forms

  • Tablet.
  • Capsule.
  • Liquid.

How much you need

The RDifor iodine is 150 mcg daily for adult men and 120 mcg for women. Many Australians and New Zealanders meet or exceed this amount by using iodised salt. (One teaspoon of iodised salt exceeds the RDI for iodine.)

If you get too little: Among the first signs of iodine deficiency, now rarely seen in developed countries, is an enlarged thyroid gland, known as a goitre Lack of iodine can cause the gland to expand in an attempt to trap as much of the iodine in the bloodstream as possible. If your iodine intae is low, your thyroid hormone level may well be low, too. This condition can lead to fatigue, dry skin, constipation, a rise in blood fats, a hoarse voice, delayed reflexes and some impairment of mental function. See your doctor if you have these symptoms.

If you get too much: There is very little risk of iodine overdose, even at levels 10-20 times the RDI. However, if you ingest30 times the RDI, you are likely to experience a metallic taste, mouth sores, swollen salivery glands, diarrhoea, vomiting, headache, acne and difficulty in breathing. Ironically, a goitre can also develop if you consistently take extremely large amounts of iodine, as an excess can also repress thyroid function.

How to take it

Dosage

If you use iodised salt – or, better, eat seafood frequently – you're probably getting all the iodine you need. Iodine is also a standard ingredient in many multivitamin and mineral supplements. Even if you're on a very low-salt diet for high blood pressure, you probably don't require extra iodine, though you can safely take 150 mcg a day. People on a thyroid drug should always discuss their condition wtith a doctor before taking individual iodine supplements.

Guidelines for use

When prescribed, iodine supplements can be taken at any time of the day, with or without food,

Other sources

The richest natural sources of iodine are kelp and wakame. (Tasmanian wakame is a high-quality seaweed with very low levels of contamination.) Soil in coastal areas is ofte iodine-richm as are the dairy products produced by cows grazing there. The same is true for fruits and vegetables grown in soil high in iodine. Fish is also a major source of iodine.

Caution

Because iodine deficiency is rare in developed countries, take iodine supplements only if prescribed by your doctor.

Reminder: If you have a medical or psychiatric condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.