Mineral Iodine

There are 16 essential minerals that the body needs and they are broken into two types: macro and trace. Minerals are inorganic substances (meaning they contain no carbon) that are required for normal cell function, growth and development. Macrominerals are needed by the body in large doses. Trace minerals are only needed by the body in small quantities.

IODINE

  • Trace mineral

Best plant food sources

  • Fruits: apple juice, banana, prunes, strawberries

  • Vegetables: corn, baked potatoes, green peas, sea vegetables (kelp, kombu, nori, wakame)

  • Grains: bread

  • Legumes: lima beans

  • Other: breast milk, iodized salt, tea

Function in the body

  • Helps regulate growth, development and metabolism

  • Essential component of thyroid hormones

  • Promotes protein synthesis

  • Regulates body temperature

  • Influences nerve function

  • Influences muscle function

  • Plays a role in immune response

Health benefits

  • May reduce risk of fibrocystic breast disease

Symptoms of deficiency

  • Thyroid dysfunction

  • Developmental abnormalities

  • Goiters – swelling of the thyroid gland

Groups at risk of being deficient

  • People living in regions with iron-deficient soils

  • People that are deficient who eat soy, cassava, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower

  • Pregnant women

  • People who don’t use iodized salt

Excess intake

  • Hyperthyroidism - GI discomfort

  • Burning in the mouth, throat and stomach

  • Goiter