Foods that Heal * Iodine * Author Bryan K. Marcia, Ph.D. Date: 1996/07/23 Forum: sci.med.nutrition --------------------------------------------------------------------------- HIGHEST IODINE FOODS BEST SOURCES: kelp; Nova Scotia dulse; sea plants and fish; fish roe OTHER GOOD SOURCES: agar; artichokes; asparagus; bass; beans; blueberries; Brussels sprouts; carrots; chervil; chives; coconut; cucumber; eggplant; fish; garlic; goat milk; whey; green peppers; haddock; halibut; herring; kale; leaf lettuce; loganberries; mustard greens; oats; okra; onions; oysters; peanuts; perch; pike; sweet potatoes; quail; rutabaga; seaweed; silver salmon; sole; spinach; squash; strawberries; Swiss chard; tofu; ripe tomatoes; trout; tuna; turnips and their tops; watercress; watermelon IODINE IN THE HUMAN BODY: The "metabolizer" element Aids in assimilation of calcium, silicon, chlorine, fluorine. Integral to brain function; found in spleen, blood, saliva, tears; vital for thyroid, spleen, liver; deters goiter; influences teeth and bone metabolism; essential for children; neutralizes albumin toxins; prevents sores, ulcers. BIOCHEMICAL NOTES: Oxidizes rapidly; destroyed or injured by high temperatures. * Iodine and the thyroid gland with it's secretion are there to guard the brain by neutralizing toxins that may pass up into the brain. If the thyroid gland could not secrete that important thyroid secretion (Iodothyrin) which is essential for the brain and its function, the person would be in risk of brain trouble. * A diet lacking in trace iodine weakens thyroid function. * When there is a lack of iodine in the body, the range of respiration is decreased and the pulse runs up above 95 beats per minute. * Iodine increases oxidation in the system thus increasing oxygen in the system. * In iodine starvation, the brain is sick, cannot think or reason. * Intellectual thinking calls for abundance in iodine, as well as phosphorus and lecithin. * Iodine assists in phosphorus assimilation. * Beef in the fall contain three times as much iodine as that shipped between December and May. * A pulsating throat is a definite sign of thyroid (iodine) deficiency. Iodine excess a rarity. * When iodine is not available, iron and calcium are improperly metabolized and oxygenation in the brain and glands is reduced. * A major indication of iodine starvation is an extremely nervous condition. Indication of iodine deficiency are claustrophobia, fears, flabby arms, depression, and pronunciation difficulties. * The initial stages of iodine deficiency go unnoticed since they are not distinctive. The advanced stages are much more pronounced. * Drug iodine and iodine added to drinking water are more likely to be harmful as they are unorganized forms which are not assimilative to the body.