When we talk about the iodine, it's an element that we typically connect with thyroid health. It's necessary for survival, but very little is needed. It can be derived naturally from a variety of sources. The level of
iodine we get from our plant food depends on the amount of iodine in the soil in which they're grown. One of the best sources of iodine we can find is in seafood and seaweed. It can also be found in such foods as cereals, yogurt, dairy milk, poultry, and eggs.

Even though seafood is an excellent source of iodine, the same is not true for sea salt. Using salt as an iodine supplement wouldn't give you the daily requirement you need. Sea salt only has 2 mcg of iodine per gram. Iodized salt is an alternative and would provide the supplemental iodine needed. However, many people are actively reducing the amount of salt in their diet, especially those diagnosed with high blood pressure. The recommended dietary allowance for infants is 40-90 mcg, for children it's 70-120 mcg, for adults it's 150 mcg, and for pregnant or lactating women it's 200 mcg.

The increase in iodine from 150 to 200 mcg for pregnant women is necessary to allow the baby proper development prior to birth. After birth, it's critical for children to get the RDA during their formative period so they have good physical development, including their brain function. It's necessary to supplement our iodine intake, since our thyroid can't store the amount of iodine we need, which is only a one small teaspoon for an entire lifetime. Therefore, it's wise to take an organic iodine supplement on a daily basis.

The thyroid uses a significant amount of the iodine consumed, but it's also vital to several other parts of our body. The prostrate gland uses iodine, as does the skin, the spleen, the intestines, the blood, and the salivary glands. The kidneys and the liver also use iodine. There have been studies involving a connection between hypothyroidism and breast cancer, as well as an association between breast cancer and areas where there is an iodine deficiency.

The thyroid gland has the capability of storing iodine, but not in quantities needed for optimum health. When there is a reduction in thyroid hormone synthesis, due to iodine deficiency, hypothyroidism results. Conditions that can arise from hypothyroidism are weight gain, lethargy, high blood cholesterol, mental retardation, and reduced heart function. Care should be taken when supplementing iodine. It would be extremely difficult to intake too high a level of iodine through food. But when supplementing the element, attention should be given to the amount taken on a daily basis.

There are many iodine supplements on the market. Choose wisely. Look for all-natural ingredients that include water products, such as kelp and blue green algae. An herbal formula that's non-toxic and digestible to assure you'll receive the optimum benefit from the supplement you're taking.

Suzanne VanDeGrift has developed this article, on behalf of Dherbs.com.