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Initially discovered
as a new element in 1811 by Barnard Courtois, knowledge
of this substance has come
to include the host of benefits it brings to the body as
an essential nutrient. For many years, getting enough iodine
in the diet naturally
was difficult in many geographic regions, and remains so
for an unfortunately high percentage of the world’s population
in the developing nations. With the introduction of iodized
salt, meeting the daily iodine requirement became nearly effortless
and
inexpensive in the industrialized nations. In these nations
iodine deficiency is now rare. As developing nations are
able
to make
the shift to iodized salt, their rates of iodine deficiency
and the diseases associated with it have also begun to decrease.
One of the main ways that iodine affects the body and health is
through its interactions with the thyroid gland. Approximately
80% of the iodine found in the body is located in the thyroid.
With the help of iodine, the thyroid is able to produce its hormones,
thyroxine and triodothyronine. These hormones play a major part
in regulating processes relating to growth and development of the
body, and influence the maturation of the reproductive system.
Because of its influence on the thyroid’s
activities, iodine plays a great role in the basic metabolism
processes and levels
in the body. It helps to see to it that the body efficiently
burns calories, preventing excess calories from being stored
as more
fat than the body needs. It has a role in maintaining the
energy level of the body and in helping the skin, teeth,
nails and hair
to he strong and healthy. Iodine also helps to destroy toxins
throughout the body, and helps the body to use both calcium
and silicone.
A deficiency in iodine can negatively affect the health and functioning
of the body and mind in many ways, some of which are more serious
than others. The symptoms of iodine deficiency that affect the
mind range from feelings of frustration and anxiety to depression
to mental retardation stemming from an IQ point decrease of up
to 15 points to the severe mental retardation relating to such
diseases as cretinism, which includes serious physical malformations.
According to the World Health Organization, iodine deficiency is
among the leading causes of mental retardation worldwide. Physical
symptoms of iodine deficiency can include dry, scaly skin, fatigue,
constipation, unusual weight gain, impaired thyroid operation,
goiters, decreased fertility, increased rate of stillbirth, and
growth abnormalities ranging in severity.
It is truly shameful that people suffer such horrific affects
from a deficiency that could be resolved with mere pennies per
person. Iodized salt is so inexpensive, and if could be spread
throughout the poverty centers of the developing nations, the needless
suffering of millions could be alleviated. Infants need to have
40 micrograms to 50 micrograms per day if iodine, children from
1 to 3 years of age need 70 micrograms daily, ages 4 to 6 require
90 micrograms per day, ages 7 to 10 need 120 micrograms daily,
and children aver 11 should have 150 micrograms per day. Pregnant
women need 175 micrograms of iodine daily and breastfeeding women
should have 200 micrograms daily. A mere quarter of a teaspoon
of iodized salt contains 95 micrograms of iodine.
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