Did you know why we all need Iodine?

Iodine plays a crucial role in the human body and is particularly essential for growth and development. Our body uses iodine not only in our thyroid gland but in every single cells we have. It helps the body to make thyroid hormones which we need for proper bone and brain development during pregnancy and childhood, but it is very important for cell health, metabolism and even for the skin.

We need iodine to function well in a daily bases and it’s especially important for female health. It is mistakenly believed, that iodized salt can provide the necessary iodine intake for our bodies, but iodine evaporates within a few days from salt, after it's opened, and the same happens during the cooking process.

Iodine or other kind of supplements from Drinagh Pharmacy can be found locally in Dunmanway, Skibbereen, Schull and Bantry or you can order online.

How much iodine we need daily?

Recommended daily intake levels

• 1 to 8 years old – 90mcg
• 9 to 13 years old – 20mcg
• 14 years old and upwards - 140 to 150mcg
• Pregnant women – 200 to 220mcg
• Breastfeeding women - 290mcg

One of the best natural source of iodine is seaweeds, like nori, kelp, kombu, wakame. It is found in a very small trace in animal protein food too, the most in fish and a lot less in dairy, eggs, beef liver, chicken.

Nutrition

Those whose diet is very strict, not includes any animal products or seafood but eat regularly a big amount of goitrogens – substance that interfere with the way the body uses iodine – such as soy, cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts etc.) may develop deficiency if they not balance iodine back with supplements.

What else the body needs for a better use of iodine?

To help iodine to absorb better and go where it’s needed, the body also need Selenium, Vitamin C (taken separately), Vitamin D, Magnesium.

Deficiency

In adults, an iodine deficiency of less than 10-20 mcg a day can lead to inadequate thyroid hormone production, called hypothyroidism, which disrupts normal metabolic functions like regulating heart rate, body temperature, and body weight. A lump or swelling in the neck, called goiter, often accompanies hypothyroidism. 

Toxicity

High iodine intakes are usually well-tolerated in most healthy people and do not cause problems. This has been observed in countries such as Japan and Korea that eat iodine-rich seaweed regularly. But some people with autoimmune thyroid disease or who have a history of chronic iodine deficiency can be sensitive to receiving extra iodine. Please, always consult with your GP or Pharmacist before supplementing with anything, including Iodine content products.

How can we help you?

For more information call or send an email to our Pharmacists.

Look up our Vitamin selection Online, free shipping orders over €30 in ROI.

Credits: Harvard University, National Library of Medicine – Journal of Cancer, https://pixabay.com/