Functions in the Body
Our body uses iodine for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, very important biological messengers to regulate body metabolism. According to the latest research, iodine would also have a very important antioxidant activity but further studies are needed to understand exactly its mechanism of action.
According to these recent acquisitions iodine would be able to protect the body from the damage of hypercholesterolemia and from many cardiovascular diseases (atherosclerosis and hypertension).
Iodine In Foods
To learn more: iodine rich foods
Iodine is found mainly in fish, a precious food that is often not consumed enough. Another important source of iodine is represented by algae such as fucus or laminaria, present in many slimming products with the aim of accelerating the metabolism.
Vegetables can contain a fair amount of iodine only if they have been grown in soils rich in this mineral.
Iodine deficiency
To learn more: iodine deficiency
Iodine deficiency decreases thyroid function and can cause cretinism, growth retardation (in the fetus and in children) and goiter (in adults). Iodine deficiency in adulthood is also responsible for symptoms such as listlessness, chronic fatigue and premature baldness.
requirement
Since iodized salt was introduced for healthy people, it is no longer necessary to use specific supplements.
For those who are strictly vegetarian or who do not consume fish and avoid salting dishes, a supplement of 200 mcg of iodine per day is recommended.
The intake doses recommended by larn are 150 mcg and, for the woman, 200 mcg during lactation and 175 mcg during pregnancy.
In our body iodine is concentrated at the level of the thyroid gland and thanks to these reserves we can live for several weeks without taking iodine and without having for this clinical symptoms of deficiency.
