5 Signs that Warn You’re Not Eating Enough Iodine

Iodine deficiencies can cause serious damage to any individual, and it can even lead to brain damage. Studies show that more than 2 billion people from all over the Earth suffer from iodine deficiency while up to 5 million of the affected ones can feel the symptoms of the disease.

Some foods can help you be in control of your iodine intake, making sure that you do not experience any of the unwanted symptoms. But first, we need to take a better look at the signs that warn you of your deficiency.

• You Can’t Shed Off Pounds

If you feel like you are constantly in a state of fatigue, you might be having a thyroid disease. Even if you exercise regularly and eat healthy, your metabolism can’t seem to shake off the excess pounds, allowing you to gain unwanted weight.

• You are Continuously Lifeless and Tired

If your metabolism is slow and sluggish, it’s not just your weight that suffers from it, but also your state in general. If the fat conversion into energy is slowed down because of your thyroid gland, you might need a change in your diet.

• You’re Prone to Infections and Allergies

Iodine deficiencies cause your immune system to weaken. Because of this, you might find yourself always suffering from some sort of cold, flu, coughs and many others. Plus, once your thyroid gland is predisposed, you are also more vulnerable to the invading microbes and free radicals which can cause harm to your body.

• You Suffer from Depression

It’s not out of the ordinary to feel glum from time to time. However, if this is starting to affect your lifestyle, your sleeping pattern and your appetite, it might be a sign that you have an iodine deficiency in your body. In this case, you will need to consume more foods that are rich in iodine.

• You Experience Hair Loss and Dry Skin

Iodine deficiency might be the reason why your hair and skin don’t look their best lately. If you want to avoid shedding hair all over the place, you might want to add more iodine to your diet.

Here are some foods that are well known for their richness in iodine, and which you definitely need to add in your diet is case you start experiencing iodine deficiency symptoms:

• Milk
• Cheddar Cheese
• Cod
• Yogurt
• Potatoes
• Canned Tuna
• Stick Fish
• Lobster
• Shrimp
• Turkey Breast
• Dried Seaweed
• Strawberries
• Bananas
• Cranberries
• Dried prunes
• Green Beans
• Navy Beans

While there may be iodine deficiencies that ask for medical attention, it is a good idea to add these to your diet in order to avoid such extreme circumstances. If you still continue to experience the symptoms, it might not be a bad idea to visit your doctor.