Kelp is a sea vegetable used as a diet staple in many parts of the world. Kelp contains a large amount of many different minerals and vitamins. Iodine is one of the minerals found in kelp. Iodine is a trace mineral required by your body for normal growth and development. Additionally, iodine can help to protect your body from many health conditions. Doctors use the iodine from kelp to protect against radiation, toxic heavy metals and some cancers. You should speak with a medical professional prior to using any kelp iodine supplement.
Metabolic Rate
Your thyroid gland produces many hormones that regulate your body functions, including metabolism. Not having the right amount of iodine in your system can inhibit your thyroid from making the hormones thyroxin and triiodothyronine. Thyroxin and triiodothyronine directly affect your heart rate, body weight, blood pressure and temperature. Iodine also plays a role in maintaining energy levels within your body and helps your body use the calories you consume without storing them as fat.
Anticancer and Detox Properties
Kelp iodine also has anticancer properties. According to the book, "Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can't Live Without It," some types of cancer cells shrink when exposed to iodine. Doctors also recommend iodine after radiation exposure and to protect your body from potential radiation exposure. Additionally, iodine can flush or remove toxins from your body, including mercury, lead and fluoride. Iodine can also help to strengthen your immune system and support the health of your hair, nails, skin and teeth.
Iodine Deficiency
Iodine deficiency commonly results in an enlarged thyroid. Goiter is a condition caused by hypothyroidism that causes your thyroid to grow to a very large size. In regions that have a pronounced iodine deficiency, conditions such as cretinism are common. Cretinism is a congenital disorder that causes severe mental retardation. Other less severe symptoms associated with an iodine deficiency include depression, abnormal weight gain, constipation, fatigue and decreased fertility.
Precautions
An excess of iodine in your body can also lead to health problems. When exposed to excessively high levels of iodine, your body can slow or stop the production of thyroid hormones, causing temporary hypothyroidism. Other thyroid diseases caused by too much iodine include some thyroid cancers and thyrotoxicosis, which is characterized by excess levels of thyroid hormones in the bloodstream. You should, therefore, not to exceed the recommended dose when taking a kelp iodine supplement. You should only use liquid kelp supplements under a doctor's supervision.
References
- "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine"; Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno; 1997
- "Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can't Live Without It"; David Brownstein; 2009
- "Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Home Reference Guide to 550 Key Herbs With All Their Uses as Remedies for Common Ailments"; Andrew Chevallier; 2000
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