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.
13 possible symptoms of iodine deficiency:
1. Tiredness and fatigue: low iodine levels may leave you feeling tired, sluggish and weak. Your body needs iodine to make energy and a baby!
2. Hair loss: An iodine deficiency may prevent hair follicles from regenerating although of course B12 and iron can present the same symptoms.
3. Dry, flaky skin: iodine helps skin cells regenerate; helps your body sweat and hydrates skin cells
4. Coldness: Iodine helps generate body heat
5. Memory: Iodine is crucial in pregnancy for foetal brain development but a deficiency may cause you to struggle to learn and remember things too!
6. Menstruation issues: heavy or irregular periods. This is because unbalanced hormone levels maybe unable to regulate the menstrual cycle.
7. Fertility: Women with an 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.
8. Heart: An iodine deficiency can slow your heart rate which can 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.
9. Hormonal disturbances including hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland uses iodine to produce thyroid hormones, thyroxine, T4, and triiodothyronine, T3.
10. Goitre 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.
11. 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. Think how many women suffer with a thyroid disorder during pregnancy and post baby!
12. 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.
13. 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 an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, apoptotic, antiviral, and antibacterial.
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 algae Fish: tuna, cod, haddock, Atlantic halibut, pollack Sea Salt: IodinisedThis moon cycle:
Consider regular seaweed baths
Using iodine and seagreens as a condiment to meals
Opting for foods high in iodine
Visit the sea side!
The healing power of Agnus Castus
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
Justine Evans ND, BSc N Med – Fertility Expert & Hormone Alchemist works exclusively with all stages of reproductive health including fertility and pregnancy. She is the Founder of Creation Fertility and its products. Justine offers a multi dimensional approach to hormone health blending Nutritional Therapy with alchemy and yogic philosophy.
Call 07747 133170 to book an appointment with her now or if you wish to find out whether you are iodine deficient.
Justine offers clinics on line, in Twickenham, Greater London and Stroud, Gloucestershire