THE IMPORTANCE OF IODINE

Iodine is an element you may not really think about, but it is necessary for proper thyroid function. The body does not produce iodine, so we must get it from our diets. According to Dr. David Brownstein, "Iodine deficiency is occurring at epidemic rates. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey showed that iodine levels have fallen nearly 60% over the last 40 years."

Iodine deficiency is one of the most common and preventable world health problems. This deficiency leads to goiter and thyroid disorders.

This file photo shows some of the ways to get iodine in your diet.

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM? WHAT IS THAT?

Endocrine system is not a term we are familiar with, in most cases. It is a collection of glands that regulate our body's important functions. These functions include growth, metabolism and sexual development, pretty important functions. The glands produce chemicals called hormones, which are directly released into the bloodstream. From there they travel to the organs they are targeted to work with. Each hormone's shape is specific to the target cell it affects, binding to hormone receptors on the cells.

The three classes of hormones, defined by their chemical structures are:

• Amino acid hormones, ie serotonin, adrenaline, and dopamine
• Peptide hormones, ie growth hormones, insulin, prolactin
• Steroid hormones, ie cortisol, testosterone, DHEA

Some fish in the great lakes and birds that eat these fish have been found to have problems caused by endocrine disrupters in their environment, as have some alligators in the Florida Everglades. Dr. David Brownstein believes our environmental surroundings may be affecting us humans, too. He believes over 60% of our population is currently suffering from some kind of thyroid problem. And he has no doubt one of the reasons we are seeing such an epidemic of thyroid problems is due to our toxic overload of various chemicals, including endocrine disrupters. Tomorrow we will do into some detail of what he believes these are.

file photo

SYMPTOMS OF THYROID DISORDERS

I do not know much about thyroid disorders, but I am aware they are much more prevalent than most of us realize. Dr. David Brownstein, a Family Physician, has done a lot of research and written on the subject. He is the author of the book Overcoming Thyroid Disorders as well as several other books. He has stated that the most common symptoms associated with thyroid dysfunction include the following:

• Brain fog and poor brain function
• Constipation
• Depression
• Dry skin, weight gain
• Fatigue
• Hair Falling Out
• Headaches
• Menstrual Disorders
• Poor eyebrow growth
• Sense of coldness, including hands and feet

He has also stated that a history of cardiovascular disease, psoriasis, infertility, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, as well as a history of anemia can all be related to inadequate thyroid function.

If you suffer from some of these problems and your thyroid function hasn't been checked, you may want to ask your doctor to do some thyroid testing.

file photo