Iodine is an essential mineral a person’s body needs for optimal thyroid function, muscle development, and average growth. The body uses iodine to make thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism and brain function.
If a person doesn’t get enough iodine in their diet, they may develop an iodine deficiency disease called hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism can cause many symptoms, including fatigue, depression, weight gain, and high cholesterol levels.
The good news is that there are simple ways to boost the body’s iodine levels naturally by increasing the amount of seaweed (including kelp) in the diet or taking a high-quality supplement.
But before going into the specifics of how to increase iodine levels, it’s essential to understand why anyone should care about improving their iodine levels. Here are some of the most common symptoms of iodine deficiency.
Dry Skin and Lips
Dry skin and lips are common symptoms of iodine deficiency. Dry skin can be itchy and flaky, especially on the hands, feet, knees, and elbows. If a person already has dry skin, adding iodine to their diet may help ease these symptoms by reducing the time they spend scratching at their skin or slathering moisturizer on it.
Iodine has also been shown to help improve the health of the skin. In one study, researchers found that people with a deficiency in iodine had higher sebum levels on their faces than those who were getting enough iodine in their diet. Sebum is an oily substance secreted by hair follicles that keeps skin moisturized and protected from damage caused by acne-causing bacteria.
Research has shown that iodine deficiency can lead to dry skin, although it’s unclear exactly why this happens. One theory is that the thyroid gland needs iodine to produce T4 and T3 hormones in the body. These hormones regulate metabolism, which may be why people with iodine deficiency gain weight, experience fatigue, and suffer from brain fog.
