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Why Iodine is Important, How Much is Needed, and How it is Used by the Thyroid Gland.



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Let's look at some general things first. Minerals are found in plants. Plants get their minerals from the soil. The soil gets minerals from water washing over the rocks. For vitamins to do their job, they require minerals. They can also be obtained from food or supplements.

Minerals such as iodine and trace elements represent less than one-half of one percent of the total nutrients we consume every day. Yet without them our bodies would be unable to efficiently use the carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in our diet. Many vitamins and enzymes need a mineral co-factor to function properly.

What you should look for is a Chelated Mineral supplement that is carefully formulated with a balance of essential minerals and ultra trace minerals sourced from the highest quality suppliers in forms that are readily absorbed by the body.

The first mineral we will examine is Iodine pictured above. It is a crucial component in the production of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, growth, reproduction, and the synthesis of protein. Supplemental it is especially important for people on a vegetarian diet, those who avoid seafood, or those who must restrict their salt intake.


Why does the body need it?


The major function of the thyroid gland is to produce thyroid hormone in an amount sufficient to meet the body's needs. To make thyroid hormone, the thyroid uses it. If it is not available in the diet, the thyroid may produce an insufficient amount of hormone. *


How much of it does the body need?


Areas in the United States where iodine deficiency occurs are scarce. In North America, it is added to salt and bread. It is also present in additives, water sources, medications, and dietary supplements. The daily intake varies widely throughout the world. A minimum of 60 micrograms of elemental iodine per day is required to make thyroid hormone. The following lists examples of average intake in various countries and the recommended amount of consumption. *



How it is used by the thyroid?

 

The process by which the thyroid uses it is actually quite complicated and certain steps are still unclear. Essentially, iodine is converted to its free elemental form, called iodide. Iodide enters the thyroid gland through a special transport mechanism. Iodide then undergoes a process called oxidation and is incorporated into intermediate hormones called MIT (Monoiodotyrosine, which contains 1 iodide) and DIT (Diiodotyrosine, which contains 2 iodides.) These compounds then combine to form the active hormones, tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). T3 is the most biologically active thyroid hormone. It is formed by combining a MIT with a DIT (so the total of iodides in the molecule is 3). T4 is formed in much greater quantity by combining a DIT with another DIT (so that the total of iodides in the molecule is 4). These hormones are then stored in the thyroid gland and released into the blood stream. *



Based on the above summary, it is evident that thyroid hormone is actually made up of iodide/iodine directly. So you can see the importance of this important mineral in relation to the function of the thyroid gland. Alright, I am glad the scientific technical stuff is over for now.

I hope the above information helps to provide a basic understand of why it is important, how much this mineral is needed, and how it is used by the thyroid gland.

Click here for more information on Iodine and it’s relation to the thyroid gland and to see effects of deficiency!

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For More Information on Other Important Minerals Click Below.


ZINC SELENIUM MAGNESIUM CHROMIUM COPPER MANGANESE VANADIUM


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 Reference

*  Source: http://www.medicinenet.com
    Medical Author: Ruchi Mathur, M.D.
     Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

 


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