Iodine Rich Foods

vRole of Iodine

The role of the mineral iodine in the thyroid gland is to make a hormone called thyroxine. This hormone is needed to regulate metabolism which in turn allows the body to burn calories efficiently as fuel. In fact, the production of thyroxine is diametrically proportional to the basic metabolic rate. Thyroxine also regulates development and growth in children. This dietary mineral is also necessary for protein synthesis and influences

Blood pressure
Heart rate
Helps metabolize fat
Helps mucus in the respiratory tract to loosen
Regulation of estrogens
Temperature
Weight
Iodine Deficiency

When insufficient dietary iodine is consumed, it can result in an enlarged thyroid gland commonly known as a goiter. While this isn't the only cause for goiter, it is the most common reason attributed to this condition around the world. Other symptoms of iodine deficiency include:

Depression
Fatigue
Weakness
Weight gain
Iodine Rich Foods

For the thyroid to function properly, it is important to take in small amounts of dietary iodine. As a water-soluble miner found in foods, it is stored in the thyroid. While iodized salt is one source of iodine, when looking for natural sources of the dietary mineral, one the best places to look is the sea; salt water to be specific. Iodine is found in creatures that thrive in saline water as well as the plants that grow from the soil at the bottom of these salt water bodies. Iodized salt is also a source of iodine. The following list of iodine rich foods help to see how easy it is to consume iodine naturally:

Asparagus
Cod
Cow's milk
Dairy products
Dulse
Eggs
Fish oils
Garlic
Haddock
Herring
Lima beans
Mushrooms
Nori
Salmon
Sea Bass
Sea Kelp
Seaweed
Sesame seeds
Spinach
Strawberries
Summer squash
Swiss chard
Tuna
Turnip greens
Yogurt