Iodine is particularly important. This nutrient is essential for the production of the hormone thyroxin, which your thyroid uses to regulate many bodily functions, including metabolism.
If you don't have enough iodine, your body cannot produce adequate levels of thyroxin. This leads to the symptoms commonly associated with hypothyroidism. In fact, even small iodine deficiencies can have profound effects on thyroid function, and can even lead to goiter.
Goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. When there is a deficiency of iodine, the raw material needed to make the thyroxin hormone, the thyroid gland has to work harder and harder in an effort to produce more of the hormone. It then becomes enlarged as a result.
Fortunately, dietary iodine supplementation has been shown to be very effective at treating both hypothyroidism and goiter.
Therefore, to ensure you are getting the iodine you need, you can start by eating more iodine-rich foods. These include:
Baked potato, with skin
Cooked navy beans
Next, reduce your exposure to bromide, fluoride, and chlorine. Start by reading labels and choosing fluoride-free toothpaste. You can also install a water filter for your kitchen and shower alike to reduce the amount of chlorine and fluoride you drink, as well as absorb through your skin.
*BEFORE YOU TAKE ANY SUPPLEMENT, PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER LICENSED HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL TO DETERMINE IF IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR YOU. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.