Iodine from Kelp: For Thyroid Health and Function • Maintains a normal metabolism • Acts as an antibiotic in the body • Regulates both the thyroid and pituitary glands • Beneficial to the pancreas and the prostate What is Iodine from Kelp? Iodine is a mineral needed to make thyroid hormones, which are necessary for maintaining normal metabolism in all cells of the body. People who avoid dairy, seafood, processed food, and iodised salt can become deficient. One needs the proper amount of iodine for optimal thyroid function. The iodine content of seaweeds/algae is quite variable and depends on species, location, season, plant part, harvesting method and storage conditions. Of the edible seaweeds/algae, kelp (primarily Laminaria) contains some of the highest naturally occurring amounts of iodine. Kelp is a species of marine algae and is high in vitamins, nutrients, and minerals that it works wonderfully as an all round every day vitamin. It is particularly useful as a women's vitamin, because it is high in iron, calcium and potassium, all of which tend to be essential for women during menstruation, and while pregnant or nursing. Kelp has a salty taste to it and people have been known to use it in place of salt. It is also a natural source of iodine and this is where a lot of it's medicinal, healing and wellness power comes into play. Iodine is vital for good thyroid function, which in turn is essential for health. Iodine deficiency during pregnancy and early infancy can result in cretinism (irreversible mental retardation and severe motor impairments). In adults, low iodine intake (or very high intakes) can cause hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism can manifest as low energy levels, dry or scaly or yellowish skin, tingling and numbness in extremities, weight gain, forgetfulness, personality changes, depression, anaemia, and prolonged and heavy periods in women. Goiter, an enlarged thyroid gland visible between the Adam's apple and the collar bone, is often present. Hypothyroidism can also cause carpal tunnel syndrome and Raynaud's phenomenon. Hypothyroidism can lead to significant increases in cholesterol levels and homocysteine levels is implicated in about 10% of cases of high cholesterol levels. Correcting hypothyroidism can lead to a 30% drop in cholesterol and homocysteine levels. How does Iodine from Kelp work? When human cells are attacked by free radicals, the antioxidant vitamins and minerals in the food we've eaten come to our defense. Kelp contains algin, a common emulsifying agent used in products ranging from pudding to paint, beer to make-up. Now scientists have determined that kelp, which boasts the highest concentration of iodide of any plant or animal, passively takes in this element from seawater and then releases it when needed to detoxify harmful reactive oxygen species, which are generated by such external forces as pollution and intense light, as well as by internal metabolic processes. The findings made by an international team of scientists from the United Kingdom, Germany, United States, Switzerland, France and the Netherlands, reveal iodine's biological role as an inorganic antioxidant, the first to be described in a living system, and also point to the intriguing effects of iodine in scavenging free radicals in human blood cells. Iodine is essential to your body, because it helps the thyroid gland to function properly. In turn, the thyroid controls growth, energy and metabolism in your body. Since kelp is a natural source of iodine, it is absorbed by your body more slowly and safely than chemical iodine is. For people that are allergic to chemical iodine, kelp is an ideal alternative. Kelp regulates both the thyroid and pituitary glands, plus it activates all glands in your body. It is wonderful for nail growth and hair loss and it can help regulate your body temperature. It even helps if you have problems with chronic low body temperature. Kelp is beneficial to the pancreas and the prostate. In fact it helps with both female and male organs in the body. It also builds cell membranes, helps the digestive system, can help prevent the growth of tumors, can help cleanse the body of radiation, and normalise glands and hormones. That last part makes it an excellent supplement to take while pregnant, particularly because Kelp contains such high mineral content as well. The naturally high iodine content of Kelp helps it act as an antibiotic in your body as well. When there is an infection in your body, Kelp will help assist the thyroid to release more iodine into your blood stream and iodine kills infections.