Iodine: benefits and harms to humans. Norm, deficiency and excess of iodine in the body and possible diseases

The benefits of iodine to the human body have long been known to everyone. This chemical element and halogen is necessary for normal life, because it is involved in the formation of thyroid hormones. They are responsible for metabolic processes and heat generation. Iodine is actively involved in human growth and development. Without iodine, the thyroid gland that produces thyroxine cannot function.

There are a number of diseases that arise due to a lack of this substance in the body, a huge number of people, entire nations suffer. The problem of iodine deficiency is also acute in our country. But iodine benefits only in doses necessary for the body. Excessive content of this chemical element also negatively affects the general state of health.

In the article, we consider the benefits and harms of iodine for the human body, in what products it is contained, what daily norms are for its normal functioning, what threatens with a deficiency or oversupply. The reader will know by what symptoms this can be recognized and how to avoid health problems.

Iodine benefits

In humans, on the front of the neck, under the larynx, there is a very important gland - the thyroid. It is not only a storage of iodine and produces iodine-containing hormones, this gland itself is regulated by them. Thyroxine and triiodothyronine act on various types of body tissues and play an indispensable role in the proper functioning of the nervous system, energy metabolism, regulation of body temperature, and maintenance of water balance. These hormones affect the metabolism of beneficial substances such as fats, proteins and carbohydrates, and enable other endocrine and digestive glands to function properly.

The role of thyroid hormones for the growth and development of all body systems is irreplaceable. If the fetus during pregnancy has a problem with the lack of these hormones due to iodine deficiency, then it can even affect the mental development of the newborn baby. In adults, the nervous system first responds to a lack or excess of iodine in the body . A person becomes either too overexcited or lethargic and lethargic.

Iodine brings benefits only when observing the daily norm, because this chemical element enters the body only from the outside. This is food, iodine-containing vitamins or medications. In no case can you decide on the need for one or another supplement to the diet, since an excess of iodine is as harmful to a person as his lack.

Daily rate of iodine

Doctors sometimes prescribe more iodine to adolescents who have intensive growth and sexual development at a given age.

Symptoms of iodine deficiency

With insufficient intake of iodine, the thyroid gland is not able to produce the right amount of hormones. This condition is called hypothyroidism. This is a serious disease that is pretty hard to recognize.

Consider its main features:

• Slowing down metabolism and energy processes leads to the appearance of excess weight in a person.
• Due to lack of energy, a person experiences weakness. Work that was previously handled easily is very difficult.
• Even resting all day, a person experiences extraordinary fatigue.
• If you notice when combing a lot of hair falling out on a comb, then think about the reason for this loss. With hypothyroidism, hair follicles cannot recover due to a lack of hormones.
• This factor also leads to dry skin, since the cells of the skin are not able to recover, and many dead are accumulated.
• You already know that the benefits of iodine for the body are expressed in the correct energy and heat exchange. With a lack of hormones, a system malfunction occurs, which makes a person begin to experience chilliness, often even freezing in a warm room.
• From iodine deficiency, the heartbeat slows down, which is accompanied by headaches and frequent dizziness, lowering blood pressure.
• The lack of iodine is also reflected in the tendency to learn and remember.
• In women, hypothyroidism is accompanied by menstrual irregularities. Allocations can be both plentiful, and, conversely, scarce.
• In pregnant women, such a shortage can lead to the birth of an inferior child or even a miscarriage.
• The only clear sign that patients usually immediately pay attention to is an increase in the volume of the neck. Endemic goiter appears, most women suffer (about 20% of the country's population). This is explained simply, the thyroid gland tries to produce the necessary number of hormones, for this its tissue grows to compensate for the small amount of production.

Iodine-containing products

The main supply of such a necessary halogen for the body comes from food. Now about the use of iodine for a person they talk a lot on TV and write in articles. We will also consider with you where we can get such an element we need.

• Seafood - most iodine is found in kelp. This is such an algae. Salad with seaweed is not only tasty, but also healthy. When choosing what to buy - river or sea fish, give preference to the latter. Eat oysters and shrimp, mussels and squid, as well as fish oil.
• Vegetables - all root vegetables are useful: carrots and radishes, potatoes and onions, garlic and beets. A lot of iodine in green foods - asparagus and spinach, rhubarb and lettuce, cabbage, as well as in tomatoes.
• Berries - a large amount of such necessary iodine is in blackcurrant, strawberry, as well as in dark grapes and aronia, strawberries.
• Useful eggs, especially the yolk.
• Fruits - persimmons, bananas and feijoa, as well as our apples, plums, apricots and cherries.
• Useful nuts, both walnuts and cedar.
• Cereals - buckwheat and millet.
• The iodine content is high in natural dairy products, namely in milk, cottage cheese and hard cheese.

Useful Tips

Iodine will benefit if the products containing it are not subjected to prolonged heat treatment. Eat more vegetables and fruits raw.

If you use iodized salt in cooking, then add it to dishes after turning off the heat on the stove.

There is also an iodized mineral water on sale, before buying, examine the number of elements included in its composition.

Excess iodine

Experts have identified that iodine benefits and harms, depending on its amount. With excessive intake or diseases leading to the fact that this element is not absorbed by the body, hyperthyroidism can occur. This disease can be accompanied by swelling of the thyroid gland, the formation of nodes on its surface, the so-called seals with a large number of active cells that produce the hormone.

This may be due to autoimmune disorders, viral inflammation, tumors of the thyroid or pituitary gland, as well as due to ovarian struma.

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

An excess of thyroid hormones is expressed by malfunctions in all body systems.

• On the part of the nervous system, increased excitability and nervousness are observed, a person often cries and is anxious, a slight tremor of hands, sleep disturbances are felt, quick speech is heard, some kind of confusion of thoughts.
• The cardiovascular system responds by impaired blood pressure (an increase in upper rates and a decrease in lower), tachycardia and heart failure, rapid pulse.
• Acceleration of metabolic processes leads to weight loss, even if a person eats well, increased sweating is noted.
• From the respiratory system, shortness of breath is felt due to congestion in the lungs.

• Gastrointestinal tract - frequent diarrhea, pain in the abdomen.
• Muscles atrophy, causing fatigue when walking and other movements.
• The disease is reflected on the genital area of ​​people. In women, a cycle disorder occurs, and men suffer from a decrease in potency.

As you can see, iodine brings benefits and harm to the body, so it is important to comply with the daily intake. And knowing the symptoms of disorders in the body, you can accurately understand if you have excess iodine or its lack.

Iodine properties

When we use the word "iodine", we all mentally recall a small bubble with a brown liquid. But in fact, iodine is a solid. It looks like dark violet (sometimes black-gray) crystals that shine like metal in the light. The smell is quite specific. When heated, a violet-colored vapor is released, which when cooled again turns into crystals.

To get familiar to many liquid in bottles sold in pharmacies, iodine must be heated under pressure.

Iodine application

We examined in detail the benefits and harms of iodine for humans, namely its excess or deficiency. However, iodine is universally used as an antiseptic and a therapeutic drug.

What is done with the help of liquid pharmaceutical iodine, we consider further:

• treat skin lesions, since iodine has an anti-inflammatory effect;
• it is an integral element of many agents for the treatment of sore throat, which are treated with tonsils or used to rinse with tonsillitis and stomatitis;
• iodine mesh warms the bruised place, bumps from injections, bronchi when coughing.

Data about diseases associated with iodine deficiency make you think about the need for this substance. Annually, 1.5 million people in Russia alone turn to a doctor with such a problem. Take care of your health!