Nutrition
7 Best Iodine Rich Foods to Boost Metabolism and Support Thyroid Health
Your thyroid gland needs iodine to make hormones that are crucial for regulating your body’s different functions, Iodine is required for the thyroid gland to produce two specific thyroid hormones, T3 and T4 (triiodothyronine and thyroxine). They control every cell and organ in our bodies. They play the role of regulating metabolism.
What is iodine?
Iodine is a trace mineral found in saltwater and soil in varying amounts. The most common dietary sources include iodized salt, fish, and dairy. The iodine in dairy comes from supplementation of cattle feed and the disinfectants used in milking. Not exactly whole food sources. Fish are high in iodine because they eat plenty of macroalgae which is high in iodine (and also where much of the iodine in supplements comes from).
How iodine impacts thyroid health
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the middle of your neck above the collar bone that regulates your metabolism by producing hormones that control how cells use energy. Your metabolism regulates many important functions, but most people know of it because of its impact on metabolism.
Hypothyroidism is a decrease in thyroid hormone production. Hyperthyroidism is an increase in thyroid hormone production. Certain nutrients significantly impact thyroid health, like iodine, selenium, and zinc.
How to know if you are deficient in iodine
Your body will eventually present symptoms of hypothyroidism if you’re not getting enough iodine. The most common are slowed metabolism, fatigue, cold sensitivity, weight gain, and goiters (thyroid gland enlargement). Too much iodine may cause hyperthyroidism. Symptoms include high metabolic rate, rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, weight loss, and mood swings.
7 plant-based foods rich in iodine
- Seaweed
- Cranberries
- Potatoes
- Prunes
- Strawberries
- Lima Beans
- Iodized Salt