[Quiz] Are You Missing This Key Mineral?
You won’t hear doctors or nutritionists talk about it much, but it’s hard to overstate the importance of the mineral iodine.
Iodine is absolutely essential for heathy thyroid function. If you’re not getting enough, your thyroid can’t produce enough hormones, and can that wreak all kinds of havoc on your health.
That’s because iodine—and healthy thyroid function—are necessary for everything from brain development and growth, to healing and energy metabolism.
And there’s a good change you’re not getting enough.
To find out if you’re in this category—and what to do about it if you are—here are 9 key signs that you are deficient in this important mineral.
- Weight gain. Lack of iodine leads to hypothyroidism, which slows down your metabolism. A slower metabolism means you’re more likely to store fat than burn it.
- Weakness. This is another issue that occurs due to a sluggish metabolism. Burning fewer calories for energy means your muscles don’t work as efficiently.
- Tiredness. Once again, this is another symptom of a slow metabolism, brought on by a sluggish thyroid…caused by not getting enough iodine.
- Feeling cold. A slower metabolism means you’re producing less energy, and energy is necessary to warm up your body.
- Hair loss. Thyroid hormones are responsible for renewing your hair follicles. Hair falls out all the time, but when your thyroid is healthy, it replaces the lost hair follicles. If those follicles aren’t replaced as quickly as they fall out, the result is thinning hair.
- Dry skin. Another job of the thyroid hormones is to help with cell renewal. If the thyroid hormones aren’t doing their job, dead skin cells can build up, leading to flaky skin.
- Slow heart rate. Once again, this is due to a sluggish metabolism.
- Memory problems. Thyroid hormones are intimately tied to brain development and function, so it makes sense that not getting enough iodine can have negative effects on memory. One study even showed that people who had low thyroid hormones (caused by iodine deficiency) had a smaller hippocampus—that’s the part of the brain that affects memory.
- Swollen neck. This is one of the most obvious physical signs of iodine deficiency. That’s because when the thyroid gland isn’t getting enough iodine, it tries to absorb more from your blood. The result is a swollen thyroid—and a swollen neck.
Keep in mind that any of these symptoms could be completely unrelated to iodine deficiency. But if you read this list and felt like I was talking about you, then chances are pretty good you’ve got an iodine deficiency.
To find out for sure, go to your doctor and ask for a urine test.
In the meantime, work on incorporating more iodine-containing foods into your diet. A few of the best include cod, tuna, eggs, shrimp, yogurt, and seaweed.
To a brighter day,
Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.
Written By Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.
For years he’s been the trusted doctor for celebrities, world-class athletes, and countless seniors looking to reclaim their health.
And now…for the first time ever… he’s making his medical breakthroughs available to readers all across America.
Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D. is one of the most pioneering and innovative minds in medicine today – and he delivers cutting-edge cures each month through his Natural Health Response newsletter.
Natural Health Response readers get full access to Dr. Gerhauser’s protocols for chronic pain… heart disease… diabetes… Alzheimer’s… and even cancer. These are the very same treatments Dr. Gerhauser recommends to his own patients at his practice in Tucson, Arizona.
In addition to being a board-certified medical doctor, Dr. Gerhauser has earned two master’s degrees and has served as a clinical professor at the University of Arizona.
And as a physician at the world-famous Canyon Ranch, Dr. Gerhauser treated celebrities from around the world who paid dearly for the type of next-generation health information he provides Natural Health Response readers each month.
View More Free Articles
Target the TRUE Cause of Dry Eyes
Cases of dry eye syndrome are skyrocketing. Approximately 20 million folks in the USA alone battle the condition. And that number is rapidly growing among young and older adults alike. That means if you’re not already battling dry eyes—and you’re one of the thousands constantly reaching for artificial tears because your body isn’t producing enough […]
Take A STAND Against High Blood Pressure [EASY!]
Often, what you DON’T do is just as important as what you DO for your health. For example, not smoking, not eating processed food, and not exposing yourself to blue light at night will go a long way toward helping you live a longer, healthier life. The same is true for your blood pressure. Research […]
Fall Asleep FAST and Stay Asleep LONGER
If you’re dealing with a sleep problem, chances are good that you’re dealing with lifestyle problems. Insomnia is typically a telltale sign of circadian rhythm disruption (not enough morning sun, too much blue light from TV at night), stress, too much caffeine late in the day, long daytime naps, etc. You get the picture. But […]
Dietary Trigger for IBD REVEALED
Cases of irritable bowel diseases (IBD)—like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease—have skyrocketed in recent years… especially in industrialized nations. What is it about our modern society that increases the risk and severity of these inflammatory diseases? Scientists still don’t know the cause, but in my opinion, you don’t need to look any further than the […]
5 NATURAL Supplements to Boost Your Mood
Research has revealed MANY things that can boost your mood, including exercise, sleep, spending time with pets, listening to music, and keeping a gratitude journal. But can a better mood come in a bottle? More specifically, a supplement bottle? Scientists say, “YES!” In fact, research has revealed FIVE natural mood-boosting supplements that are proven to […]
Popular Pain Reliever BAD for Your Heart?!
Last week, I explained that mainstream medicine’s options for pain relief always come with a catch. Today, I will reveal a prime example of that “catch.” It turns out that a common pain reliever that’s supposedly the “best option” for people with heart disease might not be as safe as you’ve been led to believe. […]
Food Sensitivities Trigger Mysterious Symptoms
What do joint pain, skin rashes, headaches, and brain fog all have in common? They can all be caused by food sensitivities. Identifying problem foods—and eliminating them from your diet—can improve chronic symptoms ranging from migraine headaches and joint pain to skin rashes, brain fog, and even fatigue and fibromyalgia. The only problem? Most people—and […]
Forbidden Drink SLASHES Colon Cancer Risk 32%
A few weeks ago, I highlighted the alarming increase in colon cancer in people under 55. And I shared the results of a recent study showing that obesity is a key factor driving colorectal cancer in younger people. Of course, thousands of us over 55 are still diagnosed with colon cancer every year. And in […]
Fight Aging at the Cellular Level
I’m an “it’s never too late” kind of guy. You’ve never taken that trip to Italy? Call a travel agent. You’ve always wanted to learn German? Look up Rosetta Stone. Salsa dancing has always looked like fun? Sign up for lessons. And, as it turns out, it’s also never too late to fight back against […]
REAL Relief for Late-Stage MS Symptoms
If you have multiple sclerosis (MS), some days it can feel like you have nowhere to go but down. As the condition progresses, symptoms like poor balance, tingling and burning nerve pain, and slurred speech can worsen. And as hopeless as it can feel, it’s never too late to take steps that can have a […]