Iodine Deficient? A Simple Self-Test Can Show You Now

In the United States alone, nearly 13 million people suffer from some type of thyroid imbalance and are, usually, totally unaware of it. Iodine is a necessary nutrient, not only for proper thyroid functioning but, it is also essential for the normal functioning of body cells, nervous system, muscles, brain development, oxygen utilization, metabolism, a strong immune system, and a whole lot more. Understanding how important a critical trace mineral is, such as this one, to your overall health is well worth the time spent in learning more.

Many people who were deficient in iodine have witnessed some amazingly positive results from supplementation. While it is commonly recognized in the traditional medical community, in how this mineral plays an important role in helping hormone production in the thyroid gland. Common symptoms of thyroid malfunctioning are; fatigue, unexplained weight loss or gain, muscle weakness, hair loss, concentration problems, increased allergies, fluid retention, and being irritable.

According to Dr. Guy Abraham, M.D., a former professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and endocrinology at the U.C.L.A. School of Medicine, and a leading authority on iodine says, the limits of sufficient iodine levels in the human body go far beyond this, other possible body healing functions of iodine include:

1.Regulates moods
2.Prevents cancer (especially in breasts, ovaries, uterus, prostate, and thyroid gland)
3.Prevents and treats fibrocystic breasts in women
4.Regulates blood pressure
5.Helps regulate blood sugar, and prevents and treats diabetes
6.Helps to prevent abnormal cardiac rhythms

Life Essentials - Multi-Vitamin & Mineral

One gram of refined iodized table salt, which has a high chloride content, contains 77 mcg of iodine. Some experts estimate that only about 10 percent of this iodine can be absorbed by the body. Therefore, a superior form of salt is needed by your body. A better source of iodine and several other trace minerals, which is naturally present in unrefined sea salt, is a wiser choice. It will cost considerably more but, the health benefits are worth it. You can find this type of salt in most health food stores.

Other sources of iodine in our diets comes from dairy products, meat, and eggs. The level of iodine can have varying amounts, though, depending on contents of animal feed. About 40 years ago, iodate was used as a bread stabilizer in commercially produced baked goods, further increasing our iodine intake. Recently this practice has declined, in the last 30 years, with iodate being replaced with bromide as it was considered to be safer. Other dietary sources are certain multivitamins, and ingesting so-called health foods such as kelp. They are, however, largely unregulated and unrecognized.

If you suspect you might be deficient in this necessary trace mineral you can perform a simple self test, although it may not be completely accurate. Paint a two inch spot on a soft skin tissue area such as your inner upper arm, or upper thigh, with tincture of iodine. If it takes longer than 18 hours for the stain to disappear, it is a good indicator you are iodine sufficient. If it absorbs more quickly, say 2 to 3 hours, you may possibly need to supplement. You may, then, want to have a more accurate, in depth, simple saliva or urine test performed.

Iodine utilization problems can be further restricted by ingesting goitrogens (substances that may cause enlargement of the thyroid gland) such as fluoride, bromine and bromides, and chlorine. The neat thing about being sufficient in this mineral, is that Dr. Abraham's work showed that sufficient iodine levels help promote the excretion of toxic minerals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium out of the body, and the halogens fluoride and bromide as well.

Water is the main fluid choice that will help flush these harmful substances out of you, more quickly and efficiently than any other beverage. That is something you will be able to see and feel, as water is the basis for all sound nutritional diet success stories.