The effect of iodine

Table of contents:

1. the effect of iodine

2. what is the daily iodine requirement?

3. which foods contain a lot of iodine?

4. iodine as a food supplement

5. conclusion

1. the effect of iodine

Iodine is a chemical element. More precisely, it is a trace element which is indispensable for humans as well as for animals. Iodine is widespread in nature. The trace element is found in small quantities in rocks and soils.

Iodine is the prerequisite for the production of thyroid hormones. The human organism needs iodine for the production of the hormones L-thyroxine and triiodothyronine. If there were no iodine, the human organism could no longer produce thyroid hormones, which would, however, be indispensable for the metabolic processes. Iodine regulates the human body temperature. Furthermore, the trace element is involved in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins.

Iodine is one of the important trace elements. Since the body cannot produce iodine itself, it should be taken in daily through a balanced and varied diet. When the human organism absorbs iodine, it passes through the gastrointestinal tract into the blood and from there further into the thyroid gland. About 80 percent of the trace element is consumed in the thyroid gland.

2 What is the daily iodine requirement?

The German Society for Nutrition (DGE) recommends a daily dose of
180-200 micrograms of iodine for adults. For a small child the recommended amounts of iodine are naturally lower. However, the daily dose increases if you do a lot of sport, as iodine is excreted through sweat.
The recommended daily intake of iodine for pregnant and breastfeeding women is about 230 µg.

Many people nowadays unfortunately suffer from iodine deficiency. In Germany about 30% of the population is affected. The iodine requirement of the human organism is determined by the formation of the thyroid hormone. In general, the daily iodine supply depends on many different factors: age, sex, weight, height and metabolic situation.

An iodine deficiency can be recognised by the most varied symptoms. On the one hand, an iodine deficiency is manifested by listlessness, headaches, digestive disorders or scaly skin. On the other hand, many complain of low resistance or severe fatigue. In order to know exactly whether an iodine deficiency is present or not, one should definitely see a doctor. The doctor can easily determine the area you are in by taking a blood sample.

In order to remedy an iodine deficiency, one must know the cause. If you have been on a diet low in iodine, you can easily change this. Changing your diet with foods rich in iodine can be very useful. A poor storage capacity can be caused by smoking or alcohol. Those who suffer from this should minimize their consumption so that iodine can be better absorbed by the body again. Anyone suffering from a severe iodine deficiency should consider taking iodine preparations (iodine capsules or iodine tablets). Iodine preparations ensure a healthy balance by regular intake.

3 Which foods contain a lot of iodine?

Foods with high iodine content: (data in µ/100g)

• iodised table salt approx. 2000
• Sea salt approx. 50
• Haddock approx. 300
• mussels, prawns approx. 130
• Cod approx. 150
• Saithe approx. 100
• Redfish ca. 90
• Herring approx. 50
• Tuna approx. 50
• Sole approx. 20
• Champinions approx. 5
• milk approx. 8
• eggs approx. 8

4. iodine as food supplement

The trace element iodine should normally be absorbed by the body daily. The best way to do this is naturally through a healthy and balanced diet. However, many people find it very difficult to cover their complete requirement of trace elements. In this case, iodine should best be taken in addition in the form of food supplements.

Iodine is available in the form of dietary supplements in stores. It is offered in the form of iodine capsules and iodine tablets. Both forms are easy to handle and quickly enter the circulation. However, iodine tablets are sold in pharmacies, which in many cases have been manufactured with artificial additives or abroad. Iodine capsules often contain only the active ingredient in a vegetable cellulose shell and can therefore be produced without fillers.

Iodine capsules or iodine tablets should be taken with sufficient liquid (for example water or juice). It does not matter whether iodine is taken before or after a meal. However, if you have a sensitive stomach and cannot take iodine tablets or iodine capsules on an empty stomach, you should eat something first and then take the food supplements.

In general, it should always be ensured that the product was produced in Germany in order to guarantee a consistently high preparation quality. If you buy a preparation from Germany, you can be sure that the product was also produced safely and is of high quality.

5. conclusion

Iodine is an essential trace element. It is particularly important for the human organism, as it is responsible for the production of thyroid hormones, among other things. Nowadays many people suffer from iodine deficiency. Those who do not manage to take up sufficient iodine have the possibility to take iodine in the form of food supplements. These are available as iodine capsules and iodine tablets in stores. It is important that the product was manufactured in Germany to avoid additives.

Further sources:

• Use of Antibacterial Agents To Elucidate the Etiology of Juvenile Oyster Disease (IOD) in Crassostrea Virginica and Numerical Dominance of an Alpha-Proteobacterium in JOD-affected Animals
• Roseovarius Crassostreae Sp. Nov., a Member of the Roseobacter Clade and the Apparent Cause of Juvenile Oyster Disease (JOD) in Cultured Eastern Oysters
• A PCR-based diagnostic assay for the detection of Roseovarius Crassostreae in Crassostrea Virginica Affected by Juvenile Oyster Disease (JOD)
• The Effect of Iodized Oil on Goitre Size, Thyroid Function and the Development of the Iodine Basedow Phenomenon
• Scanning Electron Microscopic Findings on the Rabbit Meninges After Local Lavage With Polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine Complex
• Use of the 16S-23S rDNA Internal Transcribed Spacer of Roseovarius Crassostreae for Epizootiological Studies of Juvenile Oyster Disease (JOD)