Iodine health

Iodine is an essential trace element for humans. The average adult body contains between 20 and 50 mg iodine, and more than 60 per cent of this is concentrated in the thyroid gland situated at the base of the neck. The rest is in thyroid hormones in the blood, ovaries and muscles. Worldwide soil distribution of iodine is extremely variable and food grown in areas of low iodine does not contain enough of the mineral to meet requirements.
Such areas include a band across the middle of the USA, the Midlands and South West England, and areas of China, Continental Europe, Russia and South America.

Benefits

Thyroid gland

Iodine is a component of the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine and thyroxin, which determine the metabolic rate of the body. This affects the body's conversion of food into energy and also the way energy is used.

Thyroid hormones are vital for growth and development of all organs, especially the brain, reproductive organs, nerves, bones, skin, hair, nails and teeth. The thyroid is involved in protein manufacture, cholesterol synthesis, car- bohydrate absorption and the conversion of carotene to vitamin A. Thyroxin is an important regulator of body weight.

Absorption and metabolism

Iodine is rapidly absorbed from the gut. Excesses are excreted in the urine.

Iodine
Iodine health
Iodine sources
Iodine recommended daily
Iodine overdose
Iodine sources
Iodine supplements

Other Minerals:

Boron
Calcium
Chromium
Cobalt
Copper
Electrolytes
Potassium
Sodium
Chloride
Fluoride
Iodine
Magnesium
Manganese
Molybdenum
Nickel
Phosphorus
Selenium
Silicon
Sulfur
Vanadium
Zinc