Iodine Supplements

About Iodine Supplements

Located on the periodic table of elements, iodine is an essential mineral for optimal health and wellbeing. Naturally found in a range of foods, high concentrations of iodine are found in sea vegetables, including kelp and wakame. The best dietary sources of this mineral in developed nations is sushi prepared with seaweed. The popularity of sushi in Australia has certainly offset the commonality of iodine deficiencies and insufficiencies.

Regular table salt was once iodised, delivering this vital mineral along with sodium chloride. Iodine was also once used for the sterilisation of dairy processing equipment, due to this mineral's powerful anti-bacterial properties. Farmers have largely switched to chlorine-based anti-bacterial treatments, leading to reduced iodine content in dairy. Even though these were forms of iodine fortification, they were belived to have a positive impact on iodine status in Australia and their cessation may be linked to more widespread iodine deficiencies.

One of the most important roles iodine plays is supporting thyroid hormone synthesis. The thyroid gland, situated behind the thyroid cartilage on the throat (more visible in lean males), has the important role of synthesizing thyroxine (T4), which contains four atoms of iodine. Iodine is therefore a structural component of thyroid hormones, playing an integral role in regulating the metabolism. Thyroxine or T4 is converted in the peripheral tissues to triiodothyronine (T3), which contains three atoms of iodine. This hormone is believed to be an even more potent promoter of the metabolism. Selenium is another mineral which is important for the synthesis of T3, by supporting deiodinase enzyme activity.

Iodine offers important antioxidant activity and supports breast health. The Canadian Journal of Surgery reported in 1993 the importance of iodine replacement for the management of fibrocystic breast disease. The intellectual development of children depends on an adequate level of this mineral, as reported in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition back in 2005. These roles make Iodine a crucial mineral and one that science does not yet fully comprehend.