Iodine

Basic Information about Iodine

Iodine is a trace element essential for proper and healthy human life. A trace element in biology is an element which the body only needs trace amounts of for proper development; however a complete lack of that element can lead to health problems. Iodine is one of the heaviest elements which are commonly needed by living organisms. It is the second heaviest element known to be used by any form of life behind tungsten.

Iodine and Human Health

The purpose of iodine in the human body is mainly in the creation and regulation of the thyroid hormones thyroxine ( T 4 ) and triiodothyronine ( T 3 ). These two thyroid hormones are created from addition condensation products of the amino acid tyrosine. They are stored in iodine containing protein called thyroglobulin prior to release. The abbreviations of thyroxine ( T 4 ) and triiodothyronine ( T 3 ) represent the number of iodine atoms in each molecule. Thyroxine ( T 4 ) having four atoms and triiodothyronine ( T 3 ) having three iodine atoms.

The thyroid hormones play a role in the human body as a way of acting on gene transcription to regulate the basal metabolic rate. This connection between the thyroid gland and the metabolic rate of the body has received additional research in the immediate past. The reason for the additional research is the finding that this lack of metabolic rate has led many people, mostly in the United States, to have extreme weight gain in comparison to other nations. A total deficiency of thyroid hormones can reduce the basal metabolic rate in the body up to 50%. At the same time if the thyroid gland is producing excessive amounts of thyroid hormones the metabolic rate of the body can increase by 100%. This is one of the reasons that health care professionals recommend that the thyroid gland be checked if a person is having long term problems dropping weight, as it might be a sign of a serious thyroid problem.

Iodine is very important for women who are about to become pregnant, currently are pregnant, or women who are nursing. Iodine is one of the elements which are crucial for proper development and growth in children. Iodine deficiency is the leading cause of preventable mental retardation. This normally occurs due to babies and small children being rendered hypothyroidic by a lack of the element. This problem has largely been eliminated thanks to the addition of iodine to salt. Yet, this fix is really only seen in very wealthy nations. Many of the third world nations and even some of the smaller economic nations in Europe suffer from the consequences of iodine deficiency. It is estimated that European nations pay over a billion dollars in health care costs a year due to a lack of iodine in their diets.

Food Sources of Iodine

Iodized salt, which is simply table salt with iodine added, is the main food source of iodine in the United States. Other foods which are high in iodine include sea foods. Cod, sea bass, haddock, and perch are all good sources of iodine. Kelp and other sea weed forms are very rich in iodine, and are by far the best vegetable source of the element. Dairy products are normally also high in iodine, and foods which are grown in iodine rich soil.

Recommended Daily Allowance of Iodine

The recommended daily allowance was established by the food and nutrition board, and is used for the general term of reference for a healthy diet. These guidelines include the average daily intake sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all ( 97% - 98% ) healthy individuals. The adequate intake established when evidence is insufficient to develop and recommended daily allowance, but is still set to allow for a person to get nutritional adequacy.

The recommended daily allowance of iodine, according to the Food and Nutrition Board ( F N B ) at the Institute of Medicine of National Academies is the following: age zero to six months male 110 mcg / per day, age zero to six months female 110 mcg / per day, age seven months to twelve months male 130 mcg / per day, age seven months to twelve months female 130 mcg / per day, age one year to three years male 90 mcg / per day, age one year to three years female 90 mcg / per day, age four years to eight years male 90 mcg / per day, age four years to eight years female 90 mcg / per day, age nine years to thirteen years male 120 mcg / per day, age nine years to thirteen years female 120 mcg / per day, age fourteen years or older male 150 mcg / per day, and age fourteen years or older female 150 mcg / per day.

There are some general recommendations for variations needed in the recommended daily allowance of iodine. The changes in the amount of iodine which the body needs are depended on many factors including: age, weight, gender, general health, long term medical conditions, and whether a female is pregnant or lactating. Each of the causes will change the amount of iodine needed by the human body. In the case of women who are pregnant or producing breast milk (lactating) it is generally recognized that they need higher amounts of iodine, due to iodine being one of the principle components used to produce breast milk. Any change in the amount of iodine should come from a health care professional, and will most likely be determined based on each person’ s characteristics.

Getting Enough Iodine in a Diet

Culture and communities living closer to the oceans normally have higher amounts of iodine consumption. In a recent study researchers discovered that the Japanese consume a much higher average amount of iodine daily compared to the average consumption in the United States. This is due to the high amount of fish meats, and sea agricultural products consumed in Japan.

Iodine being added to salt is the main way that iodine is consumed in the United States. Nutritional experts recommend that individual seek out and find “iodine salt” for consumption. The addition of iodine to salt should be enough for the majority of people to get a proper amount of iodine in their daily diet.

Iodine is important to the health of the human body. It is also a very common element left out of many health supplement products. Especially products designed to be meal replacement. Meal replacement products are great ways to help individuals to have a quick and healthy meal which can help them to lose weight and add important muscle mass. The majority of meal replacement products are protein based. This is due to the benefits which come from adding the proper amount of protein in a diet. Meal replacement products also have a complex blend of carbohydrates. These carbohydrates are design to provide power to the body, and allow a person to gain the most from their workouts. Most carbohydrates in meal replacement products are design so that they will be used for a long burning fuel, and not be converted and store in the body as fat. Most meal replacements also have a blend of vitamins and minerals which try to fill in a person’s nutritional diet with the essential daily nutrients. Iodine is one of the nutrients most often forgotten by typical meal replacement manufactures.

When looking at possible meal replacement products for weight loss and training find a product which will provide the body with the daily requirement of iodine. This is a good indication that the product has a superior formulation. It is also a good idea to make sure the protein in the product is coming from a whey protein source. Whey protein is the best type of supplemental protein, and will help to power the body to build strong lean muscle mass while burning additional calories.