11 Foods Rich In Iodine That Everyone Should Know About
Eating foods rich in iodine is a must. Unfortunately, almost 2 billion people worldwide are deficient in this mineral. If not addressed immediately, this deficiency may increase the risk of brain damage and mental retardation, which is not reversible.
Iodine is essential for producing thyroid hormones, which are responsible for regulating metabolism and performing many other functions. In adults, its deficiency can result in mental fog and impaired thinking ability. Is there a way out? Yes. Just eating right can help you. In this article, we bring you a list of foods high in iodine. Keep scrolling to check them out!
In This Article
Why Is Iodine Important?
What Are The Foods Rich In Iodine?
What Is Iodine Deficiency?
A Note On Hypothyroidism
What Are The Side Effects Of Consuming Excess Iodine?
Frequently Asked Questions
References
Why Is Iodine Important?
To understand this, we need to look at the functioning of the thyroid gland. This organ is located at the front of the neck, under the voice box. It plays an important role in the metabolism, growth, and development of the human body. The gland achieves this by releasing a steady amount of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) into the blood.
The thyroid gland needs adequate iodine to function at its optimum levels. Deficiency of iodine can lead to an underactive thyroid, where the gland doesn’t produce enough hormones. This leads to undesirable effects. When the thyroid gland doesn’t receive enough iodine for prolonged periods, it becomes enlarged – in an attempt to compensate for the deficiency. This condition is known as goiter, characterized by an abnormally swollen neck. Read More...