Iodine-Iodide (I)

Iodine (I2) is a trace mineral that converts in the body or is present in foods as iodide (I-) and other nonelemental forms. The major role of this mineral is the healthy development and functioning of the thyroid gland and the synthesis of thyroxin (T4), a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. The body contains approximately a total of 25 mg.

Iodide is easily absorbed along the gastrointestinal tract and is then transported through blood and from here distributed into the extracellular compartments throughout the body More than three quarters of the iodide in the human body is found in the thyroid gland. When intake is insufficient the thyroid gland enlarges in an attempt to take up more iodide. The kidneys are main route of excretion but also occur through feces and sweat.

Iodide plays a very important role in the regulation of the body’s energy production, rate of metabolism, growth and development, the condition of skin, nails, hair, the conversion of pro vitamin A (carotene) into vitamin A and mRNA and protein synthesis. Iodide is also needed to prevent metabolic malfunction of fat that allows cholesterol to build on the walls of arteries instead of been used or removed.

The RDA estimated for iodide is 150 µg/day and the approximate minimum for preventing the development of goiter is 50 µg/day. Sodium iodide is used to prevent or treat iodine deficiency for those in need. Iodine treatment is beneficial in cases of cretinism due congenital hypothyroidism. Reversal for many of the impairment symptoms in mental and physical development is possible if treatment with iodine begins soon after birth.

Iodine toxicity can occur when excessive amounts are consumed that results in toxic goiter and inhibition of thyroid hormone synthesis. This can be the case with people that consume a lot of seaweed. Seaweed can contain as much as 1.1% iodine by weight. This amount can add up to 140 times the Recommended Daily Allowance. Upper level of 1 mg/day is based on such an affect.

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