The season of flu and respiratory infections begins. At the same time, the number of people suffering from coronavirus is growing every day.

For that reason, experts advise increased intake of iodine in the body. Daily iodine intake is one of the good ways to reduce the risk of coronavirus infection.

Iodine is one of the 22 trace elements that is vital for the normal growth and development of the human body. About 60% of iodine in the human body is stored in the thyroid gland. Iodine cannot be produced, but must be taken into the body through food. Iodine as a microelement plays a very important role in the normal functioning of the thyroid gland, which secretes the hormones T3 and T4, which control almost all metabolic processes in the body. Without iodine, thyroid hormones cannot be synthesized.

Iodine also has a role in the optimal utilization of calories, which prevents the sweetening of energy in the form of fat deposits. Some of the roles of iodine in the body are the removal of toxins from the body and in the utilization of various minerals, such as calcium and silicon.

Symptoms of iodine deficiency

Iodine deficiency can lead to serious disorders in the body. These symptoms include thyroid dysfunction, goiter, depression, mental retardation, decreased ability to work, decreased concentration, large weight gain, reduced fertility, rough and dry skin, risk of premature birth, fatigue, constipation. In more severe forms of iodine deficiency, mental retardation, known as endemic cretinism, occurs. According to the WHO, iodine deficiency is one of the leading causes of mental retardation worldwide.

Important sources of iodine

Iodine is present in large quantities in marine plants and animals, including sea shells, algae and other seafood. Some algae can also absorb iodine from seawater, making them significant sources of iodine. It is good to include in the diet and canned fish such as sardines, tuna, then lobster, cod, flounder, herring, perch, salmon, sea bass and shrimp. Garlic, beans, chard, sesame, soy, nuts, cereals and spinach are rich in iodine. Iodized salt is another important source of iodine, even in some countries iodine is added to dough as a stabilizing agent in the bakery industry.

The daily needs for iodine are very small and amount to only about 200 micrograms for an adult. Iodine is needed to ensure the proper development and metabolism of the organism.

Some of the important roles and aspects that iodine affects in the body are:

Metabolism

Iodine affects the production of thyroid hormones, which are directly responsible for controlling metabolism in the body. The speed of metabolism affects the function of many systems and organs in the body, as well as the processes in the body, including the absorption of food, the sleep cycle, the transformation of calories into useful energy. Thyroid hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine also affect the heart, blood pressure, body weight and temperature. The body maintains basal metabolism with the help of these hormones, which also affect protein synthesis.

Energy level

Iodine plays an important role in maintaining optimal energy levels in the body, ensuring efficient use of calories without allowing them to be deposited as excess fat.

Health of hair, skin, nails, teeth

Iodine in the body enables the formation of healthy and shiny hair and skin, healthy teeth and nails. Iodine is an important element in hair care and its deficiency can lead to hair loss. In addition, iodine increases the strength of the follicles, improves the strength and quality of the hair itself.

Reproductive system

Iodine helps the normal growth and development of the reproductive organs. Sufficient iodine in pregnant women is essential to prevent premature birth and the development of cretinism in newborns. Iodine is the most important for the formation of a healthy and branched neural network of the fetus, and iodine deficiency in pregnancy, but also during breastfeeding, causes serious mental illness in the child, reduced IQ, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, hearing impairment…

In addition to affecting the health of the baby after birth, iodine deficiency can even affect conception and its deficiency can lead to infertility.

One of the problems that pregnant women often face is iodine deficiency because iodine is consumed more during pregnancy for the needs of the baby as well as for milk production after birth. Iodine passes into breast milk and is consumed more during lactation. Studies have shown that a pregnant or breastfeeding woman can lose more than her daily dietary iodine needs and this can lead to serious iodine loss for her and her newborn.

Strengthening the immune system

The thyroid gland has many other functions. It also has a role in strengthening the immune system. Iodine has a role in neutralizing free radicals. Like vitamin C, it stimulates iodine, increases the activity of antioxidants throughout the body and thus provides a strong defense system against various diseases. Some studies have shown that iodine protects brain cells from the harmful effects of free radicals by binding to fatty acids in cell membranes, leaving less room for the harmful effects of free radicals.

Fibrocystic disease

Iodine has been shown to be very effective in treating fibrocystic breast disease characterized by the formation of benign, painful lumps, and research results show that it is effective in as many as 65-70% of cases. It is an excellent tool for the treatment of ovarian cysts and polycystic ovary syndrome. Studies have shown a significant association between iodine molecules and a reduction in the symptoms and signs of fibrocystic breast disease.

Cancer prevention

Probably the most important properties of iodine, in addition to its effect on the thyroid gland, are its anticancer properties. Some studies have shown that cancer cells shrink after being injected with iodine, they can even die and then the malignant cells are replaced by healthy cells. The exact mechanism of this action is not known, but studies have revealed this positive link.

As for thyroid cancer, iodine has been shown to be essential in preventing this extremely dangerous form of cancer. Studies have shown that people with this disease show an improvement after iodine intake, and the occurrence of thyroid cancer is far more common in people who suffer from iodine deficiency. In essence, iodine is both a prevention and a cure for patients with thyroid cancer.

The role of iodine in detoxification of the organism

Iodine removes harmful substances in the body such as fluorides, lead, mercury, biological toxins. Iodine also has a certain antibacterial effect, especially against the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which causes gastric infection and which is associated with the occurrence of gastric cancer.