Iodine is a mineral that is helping all the cells in our body. Most of us are familiar with it as a supplement to support thyroid health, it is however also an antiseptic. Dentist use to use Iodine as toothpaste. It does play a role in helping to manage hormones like estrogen in the body, due to the impact on the thyroid. Iodine can play a role in detoxifying the body and supporting energy. A lack of iodine can impact sex hormones and even brain health.
"Iodine is a trace element that is naturally present in some foods, is added to some types of salt, and is available as a dietary supplement. In the absence of sufficient iodine, TSH levels remain elevated, leading to goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland that reflects the body’s attempt to trap more iodine from the circulation and produce thyroid hormones." Iodine - Health Professional Fact Sheet (nih.gov)
Iodine comes in several chemical forms sodium and potassium salts, iodate, and iodide, and inorganic iodine, the reduced form of iodine. Foods like dulse, kelp, and iodized salts are ways we get them in foods. I use Prolamine Iodine and Iodine plus from the Standard Process as it is chelated to an amino acid. As all cells of the body need iodine it is important to have it chelated to an amino acid to make sure it gets to where it is needed for thyroid health. The amino acid helps with how the body absorbs the Iodine.
Iodine helps with detoxing the body from bromines and halogens, which we get from the foods and chemicals we encounter daily. The reason we want to detox them is they can impact gut health and impact hormone function. We also have Endocrine disruptors in the scents we use, cleaners, swimming pools, and food color and bromines in a lot of bread. Most of the things in our environment impact our iodine and block it from being used properly. People with a bad gut can have toxins that are released and these can clog the Iodine receptors. It is a trace mineral and if taken too much or not in the proper form it can be harmful.
Most of us are not eating food with Iodine in it and are eating surrounded by an abundance of iodine disruptors. This is part of why we see so many thyroid issues. I wanted to discuss this a topic due to estrogen toxicity being a large cause of breast cancer as women age. This is a way for supporting healthy breast tissue and estrogen production.
I recommend doing an Iodine that is chelated to a protein and knowing if you are deficient or not. It is a great way to support healthy lymphatic tissue and healthy estrogens. You can have a blood test with your doctor to check levels or do an Iodine patch. Dr. Natasha Mc Bride recommends the Iodine patch and how to do this in her GAPS book. This is something I do for my patients during our nutritional visits.
If you are needing help with how to apply it or want to look at the diet and if this is something you need. You can set up an appointment or do a health survey.