Iodine

What is Iodine?

Iodine is a mineral, it is non-metallic, blackish-grey substance and in nature is found as a compound.

Why is it needed?

The largest of the endrocine (hormonal) glands, the thyroid gland, produces hormones and iodine is necessary for the formation of these.

The hormones it produces are vital for a variety of reasons; for growth, cell oxidative processes, bone formation, nerve formation and reproduction. Thus these hormones play a major part in the regulation of the body's metabolism.

Where is it found?

Seafood, iodised salt, seaweed such as kelp. It is found in dairy produce and vegetables that have been grown in iodine-rich soil.

What happens if you are deficient?

Deficiency can lead to low thyroid function, goitre and cretinism, but is it very rare in the Western world to be deficient in this mineral.

What conditions has it been used to treat?

Primary:

• Used as an antiseptic
• Used to treat those who have iodine deficiency-induced goitre
• Hypothyroidism
• Nuclear accidents - Following a nuclear attack, radioactive iodine enters the body and accumulates in the thyroid. If, however, the victim is given iodine just before or soon after the incident, then the radioactive iodine cannot accumulate in the thyroid gland because the thyroid will already have had its "fill" of the "good" iodine.

Secondary:

• Fibrocystic breast disease

How much is normally taken?

It is not recommended that people take iodine supplements as due to the introduction of iodised salt it is very rare for people to be deficient anyway.

There are those who avoid salt and sea-vegetables and are also vegetarians but they are the only group of people that perhaps could do with taking 150 mcg per day.

Are there any contraindications or side effects?

High doses could interfere with thyroid function.

It is thought now that goitre can also be the result of too much iodine in the diet when for years it is thought to have been the result of low levels of iodine.