Natural remedies for thyroid problems ~Iodine

Could iodine be one of the natural cures for hypothyroidism? If not a cure it is most definitely one of the natural remedies for thyroid problems because function of iodine is the key to function of thyroid gland.

Iodine is a micro mineral that our body requires in smaller, but significant amounts. It is one of the most vital of the sixteen biochemical elements, keeping us in a quickened state of health especially for a sluggish thyroid.  Iodine is well known as a major component of thyroxine, a thyroid hormone, but it also plays a role in the formation of muscles, skin, skeletal structure, and in many functions of the endocrine system. Iodine is abundant in all resources from the sea.

Iodine and the heavy metal Mercury have an inverse relationship with each other, each having the capability to displace the other. People with numerous amalgam fillings (the silver looking fillings) may be at great risk for iodine deficiency and hypothyroid problems.

Iodine is required to manufacture thyroid hormone and the thyroid gland adds iodine to the amino acid tyrosine to create the thyroid hormones. Therefore an underlying cause to investigate is the level of iodine in the body as the thyroid requires more iodine than any other organ in the body (other than the prostate gland). Deficient amounts of iodine may lead to hypothyroidism and the enlargement of the gland known as goiter.

The further you live from the ocean, the less chance you are eating foods that contain iodine. And in most parts of the USA red meat is eaten more than iodine rich foods such as fish, seafood and seaweed.

Deficient amounts of iodine may lead to hypothyroidism and the enlargement of the gland known as goiter. Another possibility for an enlarged thyroid gland is the over consumption of foods known as goitrogens that when eaten in their raw state block iodine, however cooking these foods generally inactivates them.

Some causes of low iodine:

• A diet low in sea food, sea vegetables and sea salt
• The soil in some areas may be lacking in iodine (e.g., Great Lakes area) thus causing deficiency in the populations of those areas

Effects of low iodine intake:

• Under-active thyroid
• Dry hair, brittle nails
• Slow mental reactions
• High cholesterol
• Heart palpitations
• Irritability
• Overweight
• Sluggish metabolism
• Constipation
• Breast lumps, cystic breasts, fibrocystic breasts

As you can see there iodine is required by your thyroid and other parts of your body.  Adding iodine to the diet in the form of food is an easy and natural way for the body to absorb iodine. There are various iodine products including tablet form, iodine capsule, as well as kelp but must be done under the watch of a healthcare practitioner, because too much iodine can actually inhibit thyroid synthesis. A better solution is naturally occurring iodine which can be found in most sea plants, commonly known as seaweed.

Kombu

Kombu  is a member of the kelp family. It is a yellow-brown sea plant that can grow up to 1,500 feet and has a salty flavour. Kombu greatly increases nutritional value of all food prepared with it as it is considered the most completely mineralized food. Kombu can be added to soups, stews and other liquid/broth type meals.

Kelp

Kelp is more commonly known throughout North American and is now being cultivated off the American shores. Although kelp is commonly purchased in pill

form it is now being gathered and sold in dried fronds. Kelp substitutes well for salt because it has a high mineral content and is a natural form of iodine (unlike convention table salt as iodine is added after the chemical process of cultivation and bleaching) and can be kept in a salt shaker for table use.

Nori

Nori is a dusky-jade coloured sea plant. It is a frond that can look like a ruffled fan or be completely flat. In Ireland Nori is known as Sloke and in Scotland Laver. Nori has the highest protein content of sea plants and the most easily digested. It has a sweet and salty flavour and is rich in vitamins A, B1, and niacin. This is a perfect protein to be added to a vegetarian diet. Nori is available in sheets, or in dried fronds. It can be cut with scissors into strips, crumbled over salads, stews, dressings, spreads and desserts. It can be crisped over an open flame, and then flaked by rubbing between the palms of your hands.

Smoked salmon

Smoked salmon is another great source of iodine. Be sure to look for smoked salmon that does not contain any form of the word ‘nitrite” and

“nitrate.” Oatmeal and whole wheat contains trace amounts, however you must look for organic and whole grain whole wheat. For oatmeal it must be the entire grain so look for Irish steel cut  oats; you won’t find it in the microwaved type-sorry!

When looking for seaweed, fish, roe (fish eggs), and seafood choose areas with the least amount of pollution to ensure minimal contamination of pollutants and heavy metals.

Look for foods that are grown near the ocean or sea such papayas, mangoes, pineapples, as the will contain higher amounts of iodine.

**A word of caution: Avoid Sea plants and seaweeds if you are pregnant.  

Are you Iodine deficient? Take the Iodine liquid Test
Low thyroid function or hypothyroidism Take the test

What is Hypothyroidism
Natural remedies for thyroid problems ~ Iodine
Psychological Connections to Hypothyroidism and low thyroid
Take the Iodine liquid Test
Stop the Thyroid Madness Try some natural thyroid therapy
The Basal Body Temperature Test for Low thyroid
Hypothyroidism diet and Goitrogen
Thyroid disorders ~ Hypothyroidism

If you are currently on any medications for thyroid conditions please do not you’re your medication. It is between you and your healthcare practitioner on the course of your wellness. This section is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, cure, or treat thyroid conditions. Please consult with your medical healthcare practitioner before implementing any of these recommendations, especially if you are currently on medication. If you are concerned about the function of your thyroid gland there are tests available to assess thyroid function. Please seek a qualified healthcare practitioner for more information.