IODINE for fertile wellbeing
Here is my August fertility and lifestyle guidance video. It also contains information on some of my other cards but if you are only interested in the nutrient benefits of iodine I suggest you read more below
card 23: Iodine rich organic foods.
Whilst my last blog discussed the more esoteric nature of the cards, the goddess Durga and a yoga pose the final card I drew from the creation fertility toolkit for the month of August is card 23. Organic Foods. Again this card is very important – this is it’s 3rd appearance this year (March, June and now August). As I drew the cards I felt the guidance message for this month was clear – it is time to consider sea foods in particular the nutrient iodine and it’s impact on hormonal wellbeing plus environmental contamination and toxins from sea foods (not only related to global wellbeing but it’s impact on hormonal health), the importance of eating seasonally; and consider methods used to catch/fish.
iodine for fertile wellbeing
IODINE: Iodine is an essential mineral commonly found in seafood, dairy and some veggies and fruit. Did you know 30% of the world are deficient?
Who’s likely to be iodine deficient? You are more likely to be deficient during pregnancy; whilst breastfeeding; if you live in countries where there is little iodine in the soil (this includes South Asia, Southeast Asia, New Zealand and most European countries) and if you live in a land locked country or do not live or go to the seaside regularly. Also, those people who don’t use iodized salt or who has specialised diets – such as vegetarians; vegans and people who are dairy free.
12 possible symptoms of iodine deficiency:
Tiredness and fatigue: low iodine levels may leave you feeling tired, sluggish and weak. Your body needs iodine to make energy and a baby!
Hair loss: An iodine deficiency may prevent hair follicles from regenerating although of course B12 and iron can present the same symptoms.
Dry, flaky skin: iodine helps skin cells regenerate; helps your body sweat and hydrates skin cells
Coldness: Iodine helps generate body heat
Memory: Iodine is crucial in pregnancy for foetal brain development but a deficiency may cause you to struggle to learn and remember things too!
Menstruation issues: heavy or irregular periods. This is because unbalanced hormone levels maybe unable to regulate the menstrual cycle.
Fertility: Women with moderate to severe iodine deficiency may have a more difficult time conceiving. Iodine concentration is high in the ovaries and studies have found a correlation between levels in follicular fluid and follicular development.
Heart: An iodine deficiency may slow your heart rate, which may leave you feeling weak, fatigued, dizzy and at risk of fainting – something nobody needs – especially when they are trying for a baby or during pregnancy.
Hormonal disturbances including hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland uses iodine to produce the thyroid hormones, thyroxine, T4, and triiodothyronine, T3. Sometimes an iodine deficiency can present as a swelling in the neck. This is called a goitre and is a common symptom. It happens when your thyroid gland is forced to make thyroid hormones when there is a low supply of iodine in the body.
Pregnancy and breast feeding Iodine is especially important for pregnant and breastfeeding women because they have higher needs. An iodine deficiency during pregnancy may cause foetal stunted growth and brain development.
Weight gain Low iodine levels may slow your metabolism and encourage food to be stored as fat, rather than be burned as energy. This can lead to weight gain.
Menopause – as you will note symptoms of iodine deficiency are closely linked with peri menopausal symptoms – not really surprising. Within clinic I often see iodine deficiency; sub clinical thyroid; adrenal fatigue and fluctuating oestrogen levels impacting including peri-menopause impacting you fertility health.
Iodine is also believed to act as an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, apoptotic, antiviral, and antibacterial agent.
The recommended daily intake for iodine (RDI) is 150 mcg per day. This amount should meet the needs of 97–98% of all healthy adults. Pregnant woman need 200 mcg daily and lactating women need 290 mcg daily
Seaweed: Kombu, kelp, dashi, wakame, nori, dulse, hikiki, bladderwrack
Sea veggies: samphire, sea lettuce, irish moss, agar agar, arane
Algaes: spirulina, chorella, seagreens and blue-green algaeFish: tuna, cod, haddock, Atlantic halibut, pollack Sea Salt: Iodinised
Important to remember: This article is part of the August new moon lifestyle and fertility guidance and we must remember to consider protecting not only ourselves but the planet!
Fish in season during August in the UK: cod, coley, crab, dab, dover sole, grey mullet, haddock, halibut, herring, langoustine, lemon sole, mackerel, monkfish, pilchard, plaice, pollack, prawns, red mullet, salmon, sardines, scallops (queen), sea bass (wild), sea bream, sea trout, shrimp, squid, whelks: (eattheseasons.org.uk)
Download this pdf to ensure you buy happy and healthy fish ( mscuk.org goodfishguide.org UK)
Or download guides from WWF Make better seafood choices
Or watch this video if you are USA based to help you MonterayBayAquarium Seafood watch.
You may also be interested in joining the campaign against plastics in water https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/
Associated words: Iodine deficiency, seaside, can your physical or emotional symptoms be associated with your food choices/iodine; eat seasonally, plant based, seaweeds, sea vegetables, sea algae, iodinised salt, fish, shellfish, toxic load, organic, healthy, conservation; creation fertility toolkit; Can environmental toxins affect fertility?
References: Iodine:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2673527
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6373336/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320130.php
