Does Iodine Have Superpowers?

"How you can live longer with an iodine rich diet"

In our society, we have plenty of information on how to lead healthier, more comfortable lives. We also have many motivational speakers, bloggers, vloggers, YouTubers, and TikTokers at our disposal for guidance on proper dietary regimens and natural supplements that enhance health and well-being.

 

That said? there is still a limited awareness of what value iodine can have for your overall health, good and bad.

For this specific reason, we have devoted this article to iodine, and hope to answer your questions about it, regarding what it is, what special effects may result from too much or a lack of iodine and perhaps most importantly, how you can get enough of it.

Are You Ready? Let?s Dig In?

What Is Iodine?

 

Iodine is a mineral that can be found in many foods. The body uses iodine to produce thyroid hormones. These hormones control various bodily functions, such as your metabolism. Iodine is also essential during pregnancy and infancy for a baby's bone and brain development. 

Your thyroid gland creates the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine, both of which contain iodide which is a form of iodine. In short? we need iodine to keep our thyroid gland healthy. Like other nutrients that the body needs to maintain optimal health, the lack of iodine in sufficient amounts can have adverse effects..

These side effects should be taken very seriously and not be ignored. Not enough iodine can cause your thyroid gland to not produce enough thyroid hormones.

 

If you have a low or deficient amount of iodine in your body, it is very possible that you could experience one or some of these conditions:

- Hypothyroidism

- Goiter 

- Congenital hypothyroidism

 

Yikes, not good but don?t worry, these conditions are preventable. One of the best ways is to follow the nutritional habits of other healthy cultures, mainly...

 

The Japanese!

 

As of 2021, many studies have found that the Japanese have a higher living and health efficiency than any other nation in the world, with an average lifespan of  84.36 years. That is nearly 5.5 years longer than Americans.

Pretty crazy right?

 

The Japanese people for thousands of years have followed a culture of a strict healthy and organic way of living. And iodine is a critical ingredient in their diet. Back in 1963, Japan actually increased their iodine recommendations for iodine consumption from 13.5 milligrams to 50 milligrams. This is higher than the amount that the World Health Organization recommends. What is interesting, studies have shown that Japanese people who have moved abroad and stopped receiving this amount of iodine, started developing the same diseases as the local population and aged more rapidly.

 

Professor Makoto Suzuki conducted a 40 year old study on the health and life span between the natives from Okinawa and the Okinawans that migrated to Brazil. This study had alarming results as 20 thousand Okinawans who migrated to Brazil lived nearly 17 years less than people back home.

 

Why was this study done?

Okinawa, Japan has the highest lifespan in the whole world. Plus, an incredible 90% of deaths on the island are solely from natural causes and not the result of diseases.

 

Where can you find iodine? Don?t worry, you can find iodine rich foods all around to naturally give you the amount you need.

Here are a few:

- Seaweed

- Fish (saltwater fish Not freshwater fish)

- Shellfish 

Those are the most common iodine sources in Japanese food culture, but if you don?t like seafood or find it hard to get seaweed (or hate the texture of seaweed), here are some other options:

1. Dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt

2. Salted Nuts

3. Egg yolks

4. Prunes  

5. Liver and other organ meats

Most likely your table salt has been enriched with iodine. Salt contains the mineral Sodium which is another mineral that your body regulates.

 

We all know that salt can be very harmful, so keep that in mind. But, not to worry, if you eat a lot of salty foods, your body will do its best to eliminate any excess iodine and sodium. Just try not to abuse it.

Always listen to your doctor and understand that iodine is essential for your health but like many things in life, too much can be very dangerous to your body.

Leave a comment to let us know if you found this article informative.