Increase your iodine intake (video)

Stig talks about salt and iodine

Iodine is a mineral that plays a crucial role in normal thyroid function and contributes toward the production of thyroid hormones. It also supports normal cognitive abilities and the function of the nervous system.

Subtitles are available in English and Swedish – Click on the cog symbol to change the subtitle language.

Iodine deficiency is a widespread problem in many countries and is a condition that can have serious consequences. A lack of iodine can lead to reduced production of thyroid hormones, which can result in hypothyroidism. A typical sign of a severe deficiency is an enlarged thyroid gland, also known as a goitre. Symptoms of iodine deficiency can also include an impaired metabolism, fatigue, muscle weakness, bowel problems, unexplained weight gain, dry skin and sensitivity to temperature changes. It is especially important for pregnant and breastfeeding women to have good levels of iodine, as iodine deficiency during pregnancy can affect the child’s growth and neurological development.

You can get a sufficient iodine intake through your diet, by for example eating iodised salt, animal products or kelp. Iodised salt has long been recommended in Sweden, but recently many have ignored it and started instead eating salts like Himalayan salt – which is unfortunately not enriched with iodine. The iodine content of animal products varies depending on whether or not the animals have received iodine-enriched feed/rock salt. Another way to absorb iodine is by eating the brown algae, kelp which naturally contains high levels of iodine. Stig recommends limiting your intake of salts, both sodium and chloride; instead the salt you consume should be iodised (such as Seltin). Stig also recommends increasing your intake of iodine which he personally does by adding kelp to his diet.

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