Iodine
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Form: Potassium Iodide
Food source: Seaweed, cereals and grains (concentration is dependent on the soil). Also fish, eggs and milk.
Benefits of Iodine
- Regulates hormones
- Energy
- Pregnancy support
- Cardiovascular health
- Neurological health
What is Iodine?
Iodine is an important mineral that is needed for the production of thyroid hormones, helps maintain your body’s metabolic rate, maintains healthy skin and hair and is also crucial during pregnancy. Vegans are at a particular risk of Iodine deficiency because most Iodine is found in seafood and dairy products, and plant milks are rarely fortified with iodine.
Iodine is an essential nutrient as it is used directly for the production of thyroid hormones. The thyroid makes the hormone T4. T4 then travels to the liver and some of the T4 is converted into T3, another type of hormone. T3 is more potent than T4. For the conversion from T4 to T3 to happen, the liver requires Selenium, Zinc, Copper, Magnesium, probiotics, B Vitamins and Vitamin D3. These hormones, T3 and T4, contribute to our normal metabolic rate, energy levels, digestive system, heart health and a range of other processes and organs. You may also enjoy reading ‘Best foods for thyroid health’ and ‘Nutritionist's tips for an underactive thyroid’.
Iodine plays an important role during pregnancy through its role in healthy cell division, cell metabolism, growth, development and normal foetal brain development. So it’s important to ensure you have an adequate amount of Iodine before becoming pregnant. Low Iodine levels can cause improper function of the thyroid gland which could lead to infertility and could even harm the foetus. Discover ‘A nutritionist recommended pregnancy diet guide’.
Iodine can be difficult to gain on a plant-based diet. Popular meal replacement shakes that market themselves as ways to increase your nutrient levels typically do not include Iodine, and we recommend avoiding these meal replacement and protein shakes due to containing sweeteners and the risk they pose to developing diabetes. Learn more in ‘Exposed: plant-sweeteners and diabetes’.
