In this day and age, with all the law suit crazy people in this world, we here at TWJ must needs put the above information in it′s place for everyone′s protection.

Yes, it has become a sad state of affairs when doing such becomes not only necessary but also the norm.

Too, you will see the above Important, Before Continuing information repeated on each and every page where we are endeavoring to provide help to our neighbors.

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What is iodine?

Why is iodine deficiency a concern?

What foods contain iodine?

What is a good source for quality iodine?

For more information, click on any blue links on this page.

Our existence, good health, well being and the quality of our lives depends on having an adequate iodine level.

Once a rare problem in the Western world, iodine deficiency is now a serious global health problem, and on the steady increase in North America.

The World Health Organization estimates more than one in four people, over 2 billion earthwide are iodine deficient, with up to 50 million of them suffering from serious symptoms of iodine deficiency, including brain damage.

Simply stated, when the thyroid gland does not receive enough iodine, serious health problems results.

Iodine deficiency symptoms manifest as a result of improper thyroid hormone production. The more serious signs and symptoms of iodine deficiency may vary according to individuals, but the list includes many serious threats to our health.

Beyond the global issue of iodine deficiency in children, adults are also susceptible to a lack of iodine. Many researchers are looking into the correlations between various chronic conditions and a lack of iodine.

Autism

Brain Damage

Fetal hypothyroidism, improper functioning of the thyroid in unborn children.

Mental imbalances such as depression and anxiety.

Mental retardation, particular in children of mothers with iodine deficiency.

Thyroid enlargement, sometimes called goiter.

Compromised organ function. Because of iodine’s role in organ health, iodine deficiency may lead to an inability of the bodies organs to detoxify. Compromised function of the detoxification organs may eventually lead to overall organ failure.

Cysts, soreness, and heaviness in breasts. A study found that 70% of patients given iodine supplements showed an improvement in their fibrocystic breast disease, leading to speculation on the correlation between iodine deficiency and breast cancer, although more research is required. It is generally accepted that there is a connection between a lack of iodine in women, and breast pain/tenderness that can accompany the menstrual cycle.

Emotional Upset and Anxiety. Due to the relationship between iodine and hormone balance, an iodine deficiency disrupts the proper functioning of hormone receptors and communication. This may lead to emotional imbalances, anxiety and a lack of sexual interest

Improper thyroid function. When the thyroid cannot function properly, it can lead to a whole host of symptoms. These include fatigue, exhaustion, puffy eyes, digestive upset, muscle pain, depression, weight gain, swelling in the body, menstrual upset, fuzzy head, memory impairment, allergic skin reactions, dry skin, brittle nails, sensitivity to cold, hair loss, high cholesterol or general low immunity.

Lowered Immunity. Iodine deficiency leaves us open to free radical exposure, particularly in the thyroid gland, specifically in regard to the accumulation of harmful levels of fluoride, perchlorate, and goitrogens, which can cause the experience of more colds and flus.

Slowed Brain Function. Studies have shown the correlation between the shortage of iodine and cognitive function, and supplementation improved perceptual reasoning

Slowed Metabolism. Iodine deficiency can lead to a reduced ability to biosynthesize food into usable nutrients, further leading to weight gain and constipation.

Iodine is especially necessary for pregnant women, their unborn babies, and young children; a deficiency can lead to severe developmental issues.

Recently, Iodine deficiency has been linked to autism in children.

The cause of Iodine Deficiency may be related to modern, industrial agricultural practices which cause a lessoning of minerals in the soil. Too, environmental pollutants including herbicides and pesticides have robbed the soil of natural mineral levels, and this in turn, results in low iodine content in foods.

In fact, in some regions of North America, soil levels of iodine are naturally low, and in other areas where they used to be high, there has been a major depletion of Iodine content in the soil.

Still, the most persistent cause of this deficiency is both lack of concern by medical professionals and ignorance by many. As it is, most people just do not know that they are iodine deficient and physicians just do not care.

Case in point: when was the last time you family physician asked you if you are eating enough iodine rich foods. That′s what I thought, he has never asked. Instead, there seems to be no program with in the medical industry for diagnosing and correcting any deficiency in the body.

Adequate Iodine Prevents Goitrogenic Effects

Iodine is an Essential Element

Iodine Deficency is a Major Concern

Iodine Encourages Detoxification

Iodine Fights Harmful Organisms

Iodine Protects the Thyroid from Radiation

Medication Interupt Iodine and Thyroid Function

Most Iodized Salt is not a source of Iodine

Pregnancy Exacerbates Iodine Deficiency

In our entire lifetime, we need less than one teaspoon of iodine to maintain good health and development. However, since the body cannot store iodine, we need to eat a little bit of it every day.

The amount of iodine one needs, listing the minimum daily requirement, the upper limits and toxic levels are listed on my Supplements page in The Real Way.

However, the amount that is reported on the web varies greatly showing that there is no consensus on the actual human requirement for daily intake. So, the list below gives the general minimum and maximum amounts needed per day.

Adults need about 150 to 1000 μg per day.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women need 200 to 1000 μg per day.

Children need about 100 to 500 μg per day.

Conversely, excess iodine supplements can cause burning in the mouth, weak pulse, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and even coma in extreme cases.

Excess consumption of iodine can also inhibit the synthesis of thyroid hormones, leading to hyperthyroidism, thyroid papillary cancer and iodermia.

Iodine is found in many foods, the richest sources being seafood products. Seaweed (such as brown seaweed, also called kelp) is a concentrated source of iodine, but can provide excessive amounts and therefore should be limited to eating no more than one or two serving per week and not during pregnancy. White fish (cod, haddock) contains more iodine than oily fish (salmon, tuna).

Some types of seaweed have 700 to 4500 μg of Iodine where most other foods, which are classified as rich in iodine have 100 μg or less.

Sea vegetables like 4 oz. dulse seaweed (4500), kelp (2000), 1 tab. arame (730), kombu, nori, sea palm, and 1 tab. wakame (80) are the richest source of iodine.

Most foods rich in iodine come from the sea. Seafood such as 3 oz. cod (99), 3 oz. lobster (100), 120 g. haddock (390), 3 oz. prawns (10), 3 oz. salmon (14), 3 oz. scampi (95), 3 oz. shrimp (35), and 3 oz. tuna (15), all of which provide better than average servings of dietary iodine.

Other sources of iodine and amount (μg) include: 3 oz, baked turkey breast (34), 1 med. bananas (3) 1 boiled eggs (12), 4 oz. organic cranberries (400), 1 med. baked organic potatoes (60), 1 cup organic strawberries (13), dark leafy greens, 5 dried prunes (13), pineapple, rhubarb, watercress (12)

Some dairy products have iodine but it is a trade off for the other negative aspects of dairy. Use this link to learn more about which food cause Inflammation and why they should be avoided.

Grains and Navy beans also has iodine but should have special preparation prior to consuming. Use this link to learn about these special Preparation Techniques.

Yes, we need to find a good source of iodine to include in our diet. I personally find that to purchase a supply of seaweed from one to the several seaweed harvesters in the northern Atlantic water, then I will have a safe source of iodine for my diet and health.

Due to the failure of the Japanese nuclear reactors in 2012, much radiation has been released into the Pacific ocean. Thus, it is better to choose sea vegetable and other sea foods from companies operating in the Atlantic ocean. The best sea vegetable harvested are located in Maine. If your grocery does not stock Maine sea vegetables, look online.