Although diabetes is officially an epidemic that most of us associate with difficulty regulating blood sugar levels, insulin resistance is far more common with more than 3 million cases in the U.S. alone each year. Most people suffering from insulin resistance are unaware, and this can also be tied to specific conditions. In women, very often conditions that involve estrogen dominance including fibroids, endometriosis, and PCOS come with insulin resistance and cravings for sweets, refined carbs and sugar in general. These are issues that plague many of my clients. Because an increased intake of sugar can increase estrogen levels, this leads to worsening of those conditions and a continuous downward spiral of sugar addition, fatigue, irritability, horrible periods, growth of cysts or worsening of their condition and more.
Iodine is involved in stabilizing blood sugars because it reduces the need for insulin. Iodine is a trace mineral not readily discussed as a solution to these issues because it is thought of as being essential only for thyroid health, but it also can regulate the amount of sex hormones in the body. Iodine is indeed needed to make T4 and T3, two important hormones for the regulation of metabolism and thyroid health. When it comes to the health of the female reproductive system, iodine is essential as there are receptors for it in the salivary glands, breasts, eyes, stomach, brain, cervix, and even the arteries. In men iodine also supports the testicles and prostate. When dealing with fibrocystic breasts, ovarian cysts, and cancers of those regions, iodine is usually deficient. Radiation, smoking, stress or high levels of cortisol, liver damage, lack of bile, endocrine disruptors like pesticides or insecticides, and high levels of estrogen from birth control pills or excessive hormone consumption in diet all can block absorption of iodine.
Some symptoms of iodine deficiency include: weight gain, brain fog, fibrocystic breasts, prostate enlargement, depression, cysts on the ovaries, slow thyroid, goiter, menstrual cycle issues, PCOS, dry eyes or dry salivary glands, migraines, thyroid nodules, miscarriages or still born pregnancies. Its ideal to take iodine with a blend of other trace minerals or from a whole food source like sea kelp or seaweeds daily. Beware of where tou source your sea vegetables to avoid heavy metals. If taking in isolation, using a tincture or supplement can work. The RDA for iodine is 150 mcg per day, which some practitioners consider too low, especially when treating long term deficiencies. However, when supplementing iodine, balance is key as too much can cause toxicity symptoms such as: burning of the mouth, throat, and stomach, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, a weak pulse, cyanosis, and coma. These symptoms are rare and require excessive intake, so as long as you are supplementing in moderation under the supervision of a health practitioner, you should be fine. -XO Raw Girl
References:
Guilliams, T. G. (2014). Supplementing dietary nutrients: a guide for healthcare professionals. Stevens Point, WI: Point Institute.