These days there is a lot of talk about the importance of iodine. In fact, here in Australia a lack of iodine intake has re-emerged as a significant public health issue.
Low iodine intake is a common cause of thyroid health problems. This is to due to the fact iodine is used to manufacture the thyroid hormones which regulate many of the body’s metabolic processes.
Interestingly, the thyroid acts as a ‘sponge’ to absorb and concentrate iodine from the blood supply to keep up production of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
Are Iodine Supplements Good For Thyroid Health?
The Australian Thyroid Foundation now state that 1 in 7 Australians will be affected by some form of thyroid disorder during their lifetime, with women making up the majority of diagnosed cases.
Iodine supplements are effective for preventing and treating an iodine deficiency. They are generally considered safe when taken as recommended. As iodine is normally only required in small amounts to be effective a balanced intake of this nutrient is recommended.
When researching iodine supplements it’s important to know that iodine is often expressed in trace, or microgram quantities on a nutritional label. It’s also good to know that 1000 micrograms equals 1 milligram.
In Australia there are guidelines on how much iodine can be recommended. You therefore won’t see approved iodine supplements containing large amounts of iodine in the realm of milligram dosing. The government guidelines state that iodine supplements cannot recommend more than 300 micrograms per day for adults.
Bladderwrack: A Modern Herbal Thyroid Tonic
Bladderwrack is a specialised type of seaweed that is also known by its botanical name Fucus vesiculosus. This traditional thyroid remedy is a natural source of iodine.
There are two features to look for when selecting a good quality Bladderwrack product:
+ it should list the actual amount of iodine that is contained in each capsule or tablet.
+ it should guarantee a standardized amount of iodine per capsule so you know exactly how much iodine you are getting.
In Summary
Iodine is an essential nutrient required to support day to day activity of your thyroid gland. For this reason, if you are low in iodine taking a good quality iodine supplement or Bladderwrack product may be an effective measure to restore your iodine levels.
YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN…
- Why Iodine Is Essential For Thyroid Gland HealthDid you know an adult body contains 15-20 mg of iodine, 70-80% of which is stored in the thyroid gland? When the body does not get enough iodine the thyroid cannot make the critical hormones that sustain life. An enlarged…
- What’s The Future For The Standard of Care For Hypothyroidism?Back in the 1970’s a prescription for levothyroxine, the thyroid hormone preparation that supplies a synthetic form of thyroxine (T4), became the standard of care for hypothyroidism. At the core of this treatment approach is the belief that hypothyroid disorders…
- Here’s What You Need To Know About Thyroid Health IssuesYou may already be aware thyroid health issues take a serious toll on your health. The small butterfly-shaped thyroid may be small…BUT the hormones it produces have a powerful influence on your entire body. When there is too little thyroid…
- Why Iodine Is Essential For Thyroid Gland HealthDid you know an adult body contains 15-20 mg of iodine, 70-80% of which is stored in the thyroid gland? When the body does not get enough iodine the thyroid cannot make the critical hormones that sustain life. An enlarged…