Iodine makes up the principal element in the body by maintaining the normal production of thyroid hormones through thyroid gland. Recommended dietary intake of iodine maintains normal thyroid gland function, which takes part in regulating detoxification, cellular metabolism, calcium homeostasis, and growth of the body. When sufficient amount of iodine is not taken then it could lead to fatigue, lethargy, autism, iron deficiency, hypothyroidism associated with goiter (enlargement of thyroid gland), weight gain, reduced metabolic rate, anxiety, and impaired immune function. Hence, adequate intake of iodine plays an important role in regulating thyroid gland function. Here is a brief outline about iodine rich foods that helps to modulate thyroid function, thus preventing thyroid disorders.
Kelp
Seafood is considered to be the richest source of iodine as it contains high levels of iodine. Kelp is one among the most edible seaweed and vegetable that contains abundant iodine. Kelp is available in the Asian market in various forms such as dried form and as kombu, a fresh kelp. Kelp in dried form can be cooked after soaking it in water. It can be taken as a side vegetable dish or a salad.
Eggs
Eggs are considered to be the best iodine rich food sources. Moreover, each egg can contain different iodine levels because the amount of iodine administered to each hen varies. In fact, the iodine content of an egg depends on the iodine intake of the hen. It has been estimated that most of the eggs, weighing about 50 grams each contain iodine between 13 and 70 mcg. However, a hen on iodine rich diet can produce an egg containing up to 200 mcg of iodine. The iodine rich diet can commonly include eggs along with a portion of shrimp omelet, which is also a good source of iodine.
Watercress
An oldest leafy vegetable that has been used from olden era is watercress. Sprigs of watercress make an abundant source of iodine and can be used to garnish various dishes. Besides containing iodine, watercress contains many healthy nutrients like potassium, beta carotene, vitamin c, magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin k and calcium. Additionally, watercress is the richest iodine containing plant source and is thus recommended for people on a vegetarian diet.
Sea Vegetables
The sea is considered as a biggest store house of sources that contain abundant iodine, which include kelp, arame, hiziki, kombu and wakame. A single serving of kelp can fill up the recommended daily iodine requirement by providing more than 4-fold iodine content to the body and thus, is the only source that contains richest levels of iodine. The iodine level in a tablespoon of various sea vegetables are as follows: a teaspoon of kelp contains 2000/mcg of iodine, a tablespoon of hiziki contains 780/mcg iodine, a tablespoon of arame contains 730/mcg iodine, an inch of kombu contains 1450/mcg iodine and a tablespoon of wakame contains 80/mcg of iodine. These sea vegetables can be used to garnish soups and salads.
Dairy Products
Similar to eggs, the milk products can contain varying levels of iodine depending upon the daily iodine intake by the cow. It has been claimed by the research studies that the milk iodine level can vary in different seasons. This is because the iodine content of milk produced by a cow during winter is higher during winter when compared to the milk produced by a cow during summer. On an average, the iodine concentration in a cup of cow milk is estimated to be around 58 and 116 mcg. It has been reported that the iodine concentration is higher in the milk produced by the sheeps and goats. Mozzarella cheese is considered to be the milk product with richest iodine concentration. Some of the probiotic milk products that contain high concentration of iodine include yoghurt, cheese, ice cream and butter milk, to mention a few. Moreover, the iodine concentration can vary depending on the type of the milk product and its derivative.
Foods fortified with iodine or Iodized Salt
According to research, one can obtain recommended iodine through diet by the consumption of iodized foods and salt. The national salt iodination standards have been set up by the WHO and various other health organizations in many countries to supply iodized salt. Iodizing salt is extremely cost effective and can be included in any dish. Most importantly, it helps to prevent the dietary iodine deficiency. UNICEF claims that iodized salt has been taken in about 66 percent households all over the world.
Kelp
Seafood is considered to be the richest source of iodine as it contains high levels of iodine. Kelp is one among the most edible seaweed and vegetable that contains abundant iodine. Kelp is available in the Asian market in various forms such as dried form and as kombu, a fresh kelp. Kelp in dried form can be cooked after soaking it in water. It can be taken as a side vegetable dish or a salad.
Eggs
Eggs are considered to be the best iodine rich food sources. Moreover, each egg can contain different iodine levels because the amount of iodine administered to each hen varies. In fact, the iodine content of an egg depends on the iodine intake of the hen. It has been estimated that most of the eggs, weighing about 50 grams each contain iodine between 13 and 70 mcg. However, a hen on iodine rich diet can produce an egg containing up to 200 mcg of iodine. The iodine rich diet can commonly include eggs along with a portion of shrimp omelet, which is also a good source of iodine.
Watercress
An oldest leafy vegetable that has been used from olden era is watercress. Sprigs of watercress make an abundant source of iodine and can be used to garnish various dishes. Besides containing iodine, watercress contains many healthy nutrients like potassium, beta carotene, vitamin c, magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin k and calcium. Additionally, watercress is the richest iodine containing plant source and is thus recommended for people on a vegetarian diet.
Sea Vegetables
The sea is considered as a biggest store house of sources that contain abundant iodine, which include kelp, arame, hiziki, kombu and wakame. A single serving of kelp can fill up the recommended daily iodine requirement by providing more than 4-fold iodine content to the body and thus, is the only source that contains richest levels of iodine. The iodine level in a tablespoon of various sea vegetables are as follows: a teaspoon of kelp contains 2000/mcg of iodine, a tablespoon of hiziki contains 780/mcg iodine, a tablespoon of arame contains 730/mcg iodine, an inch of kombu contains 1450/mcg iodine and a tablespoon of wakame contains 80/mcg of iodine. These sea vegetables can be used to garnish soups and salads.
Dairy Products
Similar to eggs, the milk products can contain varying levels of iodine depending upon the daily iodine intake by the cow. It has been claimed by the research studies that the milk iodine level can vary in different seasons. This is because the iodine content of milk produced by a cow during winter is higher during winter when compared to the milk produced by a cow during summer. On an average, the iodine concentration in a cup of cow milk is estimated to be around 58 and 116 mcg. It has been reported that the iodine concentration is higher in the milk produced by the sheeps and goats. Mozzarella cheese is considered to be the milk product with richest iodine concentration. Some of the probiotic milk products that contain high concentration of iodine include yoghurt, cheese, ice cream and butter milk, to mention a few. Moreover, the iodine concentration can vary depending on the type of the milk product and its derivative.
Foods fortified with iodine or Iodized Salt
According to research, one can obtain recommended iodine through diet by the consumption of iodized foods and salt. The national salt iodination standards have been set up by the WHO and various other health organizations in many countries to supply iodized salt. Iodizing salt is extremely cost effective and can be included in any dish. Most importantly, it helps to prevent the dietary iodine deficiency. UNICEF claims that iodized salt has been taken in about 66 percent households all over the world.
About the Author:
As the founder of Biosanes Mrs. Clark really loves providing health and wellness strategies to the masses. If you wish to educate yourself regarding this particular blog post coupled with other health related tips and tricks. click the link
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