Iodine in the human body. What products have iodine?

Iodine in the human body plays a crucial role. In the table of DI Mendeleev he stands at number 53. His biological component is very strong.

Role of iodine in the human body

This element is involved in the formation of the most important for human thyroid hormones, which are responsible for proper growth and development, for the metabolic processes involved in the functioning of our body. The chemical microelement of iodine in the human body is required in a strictly defined amount for the proper development and operation of the thyroid gland. You can get the necessary portion of this element only from the outside. Therefore it is important to know what food is rich for them.

The emergence of iodine

For the first time iodine was discovered in 1811 by B. Courtois, a French chemist. He began to heat seaweed with sulfuric acid, thus a new element of the periodic table was obtained. Iodine, as a chemical element, is the rarest on the planet. Its share is 4 * 10 ^-5 %. Despite this, it is found everywhere. Especially a lot of it in the seas, in the waters of the ocean, in the air of the coastal zones. The biggest concentration of iodine is in seaweed.

Functions of iodine

The content of this microelement in our body is very small, about 30 mg but, despite this, its value is great. Main functions:

- promotes normal functioning of the thyroid gland;

- participates in the energy metabolism;

- affects the maintenance of optimal body temperature;

- Responsible for fat and protein metabolism;

- necessary for growth and development of the body;

- affects the stable state of the nervous system.

The role of iodine in the human body is difficult to overestimate. It affects the mental activity of the body, healthy skin, teeth, hair, nails. It is extremely important for the healthy growth of children, helps develop mental abilities. The work capacity thus increases, the excessive irritability decreases.

A child who has received less iodine in the womb will have shortcomings in the development of various organs. In the future, such children often suffer from a developmental backdrop and psychoneurological abnormalities. At usual sizes of a thyroid gland and a weak change of hormones it is very difficult to determine a goiter disease. If there are such symptoms as: headache, general malaise, chest pain, decreased emotional background, and this is not related to another disease, it should be examined by an endocrinologist.

Lack of iodine

Iodine deficiency is mainly affected by those regions that live far from the maritime climate. In Russia it is approximately 70% of the total area of the country. People need to monitor the consumption of food containing iodine on their own. The value for the organism is enormous. Therefore it is very important to know what products contain iodine. Especially pregnant women and children. If the body does not have enough, then the goiter grows, the gland becomes large.

Manifestations from lack of iodine:

Infertility;

- risk of miscarriage;

- lagging behind the child in development;

- risk of cancer of the gland;

- congenital pathologies.

Signs of iodine deficiency

1. Endometric goiter.
2. Lack of operability.
3. Fast fatigue.
4. A feeling of irritability.
5. Hypoteriosis.

To recognize if enough iodine is present in the human body, a simple test will help. In the evening, wetting a cotton swab with alcohol-containing solution, apply strips on a small area of the body. In the morning, carefully consider the places on which the solution was applied. If you do not find anything there, then, accordingly, you need to urgently replenish stocks, consuming foods containing iodine. Well, if the iodine strips remain visible on the body, then you do not need to use it.

Excess iodine

Iodine in the human body is involved in many processes. If it receives enough, the thyroid gland functions normally. But not only its lack is dangerous for the body, but its overabundance.

Supersaturation in the body can arise because of its incorrect use, or rather the use of its inorganic-type substitute. It is available in tablet form and in dietary supplements. Iodine in the preparations is poorly absorbed by the body. Suppose, if you eat a lot of fish, seaweed, persimmons and other products containing trace elements in organic form, the organism has time to assimilate it in sufficient quantity, and the remnants are deduced naturally.

Well, if you use iodine in medical preparations, then the body absorbs it completely. Because of this, supersaturation may occur. It manifests itself as a disease as hypothyroidism. This is a disease caused by a deficiency or excess of thyroid hormones.

Also, an overdose can get a person directly involved in the extraction of this mineral. Symptoms of iodine poisoning:

- irritation of the respiratory tract;

- iododerma - skin disease;

- salivation, lacrimation;

- a runny nose, a sore throat;

- the taste of iron in the mouth;

- nausea, vomiting;

- Fast fatigue, dizziness, tinnitus.

The content of iodine in products

What products have iodine? An interesting fact, most of them are under water. All kinds of freshwater fish, marine life, algae, shrimp and others. Most people get iodine with food. Foods rich in it can be of both animal and vegetable origin.

But there is another way to deliver it to the body. Through the air. The content of iodine in products can not be compared with its concentrations in the air. Very lucky with these residents of coastal regions. In the sea air it is contained in huge quantities.

Animal sources of iodine origin:

- fish - freshwater, marine;

- seafood - oysters, crabs, shrimp, sea kale;

- dairy products - butter, milk, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk;

- chicken eggs.

Vegetable sources of iodine:

- fruit - persimmon, apples, grapes;

- vegetables - lettuce, potatoes, tomatoes;

- berries - currants, cranberries;

- cereals - buckwheat, rye, wheat.

Reduction of iodine content in foods is facilitated by their heat treatment, especially frying. Therefore, it is better to eat raw foods, and if possible, fresh ones.

Application of iodine in medicine

This micronutrient is popular in medicine since ancient times, although it is rarely used in concentrated form. This is an exceptional drug with increased biological activity and all-round action.

It is mainly used as a variety of medicines and preparations. Iodine is an essential microelement for the natural functioning of the human body. In medicinal form it is used as an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory agent. It also has a disinfecting effect in skin diseases, cuts, wounds. It is used internally for atherosclerosis, thyroid disease.

Preparations containing:

- organic iodine - a solution of 5% or 10% alcohol;

- inorganic - "Iodide of potassium", "Sodium iodide";

- substances that break down - "Iodoform", "Iodinol";

- radiopaque means.

An alcohol-containing iodine solution is found in each medicine cabinet. He is treated with wounds and cuts. In hospitals, it is used to prepare the skin for operations of various types. When applied externally to the upper respiratory tract, it acts as an expectorant. There are contraindications for the use of iodine inside:

- kidney disease;

- pulmonary tuberculosis;

- Individual intolerance to the drug.