Iodine

Overview

Iodine is an essential mineral for humans. Since your body doesn’t produce it, you must obtain it through food (or supplements).

Importance

Iodine has many functions in the body including:

• Forming T3 and T4 thyroid hormones.

Food Sources

Iodine can be found in several foods including:

• Seaweed
• Seafood (e.g. scallops, cod, shrimp, sardines, salmon, tuna)
• Potatoes
• Navy beans
• Eggs
• Milk
• Yogurt
• Strawberries.

Deficiencies

Common symptoms and resulting conditions of iodine deficiency include:

• Impaired growth and neurological development
• Decreased production of thyroid hormones
• Hypertrophy of the thyroid.

However, your individual response could be different. If you suspect a health problem or deficiency in certain nutrients, please see your primary health care provider (doctor, naturopath, etc). They can help unravel the complexity of your physiology.

Excess/Toxicity

Common symptoms of iodine excess/toxicity include:

• Burning mouth, throat, and stomach
• Fever
• Diarrhea.

However, your individual response could be different. If you suspect a health problem or an excess of certain nutrients, please see your primary health care provider (doctor, naturopath, etc). They can help unravel the complexity of your physiology.

Note: Iodine toxicity is rare and typically only occurs with very large doses.

Recipe

For recipes rich in iodine, check out any of the Encyclopedia of Food entries for food items listed above.

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Related Foods

• 

  Antioxidants
• 

  Phytochemicals
• 

  Zinc
• 

  Sodium