The Miracle Mineral, Part One
Chris D. Meletis, ND (with permission from cpmedical.net, access pin: 587556)
Iodine is a trace mineral that is necessary for various functions in the body. It is acquired from the diet, and intake is primarily from iodized table salt in the U.S. Yet, with the new heightened awareness about sodium restriction and the fact that iodine from iodized salt is not very bioavailable, deficiency of this crucial mineral is becoming a very real health concern. Iodine deficiency is implicated in numerous health problems including hypothyroidism, goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), cognitive disorders, neurological disorders, ADHD, breast and prostate diseases and stomach cancer. In addition, iodine deficiency during pregnancy can result in numerous complications as well as severe neurological defects and cretinism (severely stunted physical and mental growth). Iodine is found in each of the trillions of cells in the body. Without adequate iodine levels, life itself is not possible.
The statistics show that iodine deficiency is at an alarming level among the population. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), from NHANES I (1971-1974) to NHANES III (1988-1994), the median urinary iodine concentration in the U.S. decreased by 50 percent. Furthermore, the number of individuals with unacceptable urinary iodine excretion levels below 5 mcg/dL increased by 4.5-fold. This included 6.7 percent of pregnant mothers and 14.9 percent of women of child-bearing age with urinary iodine excretion below 5 mcg/dL.1 The most recent NHANES (2001-2006) indicated that iodine levels in pregnant women in the U.S. were only borderline sufficient.2