Iodine

Iodine. As a mother and a woman who cares about her family’s health, I have always been interested in natural ways to maintain good health. Today I’m going to tell you about a very important trace element – iodine, and its role in our body.

What is iodine?

Iodine is a chemical element that belongs to the halogen group in the periodic table. It is an essential trace element, which means that our body cannot produce it on its own and we have to get it through food or supplements.

Interesting facts about iodine:

• It was discovered in 1811 by the French chemist Bernard Courtois while studying seaweed.
• Its name comes from the Greek word “iodes”, which means “violet”, because of its characteristic colour in the gaseous state.
• In nature, iodine is found mainly in the oceans, where it is concentrated in seaweed and some species of fish.
• It is the only non-metallic element that is solid at room temperature.

In the human body, iodine is found primarily in the thyroid gland, where it plays a key role in the production of thyroid hormones. These hormones are vital for a host of processes in the body, which we will look at in more detail.

Why is iodine so important for our health?

The importance of iodine to our health is multifaceted and affects almost every system in our body. Let’s take a closer look at the main reasons why this trace element is so important:

1. Functioning of the thyroid gland

This is the most well-known and critical role of iodine. The thyroid gland uses iodine to produce two main hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones regulate:

• Metabolism: They control the rate at which our body burns calories, affecting weight and energy levels.
• Body Temperature: Help maintain a normal body temperature.
• Heart rhythm: Affect the strength and frequency of heartbeats.
• Growth and development: particularly important for the proper physical and mental development of the fetus and children.
• Reproductive function: They affect the menstrual cycle in women and sperm production in men.

2. Immune system support

Iodine has powerful antiseptic properties:

• Antibacterial action: helps fight pathogenic bacteria.
• Antiviral effect: May help the body fight viral infections.
• Antifungal: It is effective against some types of fungal infections.

In addition, iodine supports the production and activity of white blood cells, which are key to immune protection.

3. Cognitive health

Adequate iodine intake is essential for brain development and functioning:

• During pregnancy: iodine deficiency can cause irreversible damage to the fetal brain.
• In children: iodine deficiency is associated with lower intelligence quotient (IQ) and delayed cognitive development.
• Adult: Supports memory and concentration.

4. Healthy skin

Iodine plays an important role in maintaining healthy skin:

• Antioxidant action: protects the skin from free radical damage.
• Helps heal wounds: accelerates the skin’s healing process.
• Regulates sebum production: can help with acne and other skin problems.

5. Reproductive health

For women, iodine is especially important:

• Regulates hormonal balance: Helps normal functioning of the ovaries.
• Helps fertility: Adequate levels of iodine are associated with a higher likelihood of conception.
• It is important during pregnancy: it is critical for the proper development of the fetus, especially its nervous system.

6. Detoxification

Iodine plays a role in the body’s detoxification processes:

• Helps remove heavy metals: it is particularly effective in removing mercury, lead and other toxic metals.
• Supports liver function: Helps this important organ in the blood purification process.

7. Energy metabolism

Through its influence on the thyroid gland, iodine plays a key role in energy metabolism:

• Regulates carbohydrate absorption: affects the way the body uses sugars for energy.
• Helps protein synthesis: It is important for building and maintaining muscle mass.
• Influences fat metabolism: Helps to properly break down and utilize fats.

Interesting facts about iodine

As a nutritionist, I’m always excited to share trivia about nutrients. Here are some interesting things about iodine that you may not know:

Cosmic connection of iodine

Iodine was discovered by accident when French gunpowder manufacturer Bernard Courtois added sulfuric acid to seaweed ash. The result was a violet vapour that crystallised on cold surfaces – thus iodine was discovered.

Ancient treatment with iodine

Even before the discovery of iodine, people in ancient China and Greece used burnt sea sponges to treat goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland), unaware that the effectiveness was due to the high iodine content.

Iodine in space

NASA uses iodine to purify water on the International Space Station because of its antibacterial properties and its easy storage.

The richest source of iodine

Seaweeds, especially the kelp species, are the richest dietary source of iodine. One serving of dried kelp can contain up to 2000% of the recommended daily intake!

Iodine in art

Some artists use iodine vapor to create unique works of art known as “iodographs. “Global Solution:Salt iodization is one of the cheapest and most effective global health solutions, preventing millions of cases of mental retardation each year.

Sensitivity to light

Pure iodine is so sensitive to light that it must be stored in dark bottles to prevent degradation.

Natural indicator

Iodine is used as an indicator of the presence of starch – when mixed with starch it changes colour from brown to dark blue.

Iodine in medicine

Before the invention of modern antiseptics, iodine was widely used to disinfect wounds during wars, saving countless lives.

These facts not only show the multifaceted nature of iodine, but also highlight its importance in various aspects of our lives, from everyday nutrition to space exploration and medicine. As a mother, I find it amazing how this element that seems so simple actually plays such an important role in our health and in the world around us.

You can also read our article 20 Symptoms of Iodine Deficiency

Understanding these many functions of iodine helps us realize how important it is to our overall health. As a mother and nutritionist, I always strive to provide my family with a balanced diet that includes an adequate amount of iodine. Not only does this keep the thyroid healthy, but it also supports immunity, cognitive function, and the overall well-being of the whole family.

As a natural source of Iodine in our family, we use Sea Energy with red algae Sea Energy is a combination of natural food from the sea – the place where life began on our planet. It provides selected nutrients that are important for good health and general body condition.