Iodized salt is any salt that has been fortified with the essential trace mineral-- iodine. Iodine as well as sodium (salt), can be found in most plants including fruits and vegetables. But the amounts you are able to obtain from plants may not always be enough especially if they have been grown in poor soil. Therefore, iodized salt can help to maintain a healthy balance of iodine in the body. The benefits of using iodized salt are numerous, as the whole body depends on these two minerals in order to function properly:
Improved Thyroid Function
Our bodies needs iodine for the thyroid to produce a couple of essential hormones called thyroxine and triodothyronine. These hormones help to regulate the metabolism and the growth and development of the body.**Improved Brain Function**
Iodized salt can improve the functions of the brain, such as memory, concentration and the ability to learn. An iodine deficiency can lower the IQ by as much as 15 points.Healthy Pregnancies
Iodized salt in moderation can help to prevent miscarriages and stillbirths. It can also help to avoid cretinism, which can affect the physical and mental growth of the baby while it is in the womb or shortly after it is born. Cretinism may affect the speech and hearing as well as other bodily movements.**Fights Depression**
Depression and feelings of anxiety and frustration may be the result of an iodine deficiency. Iodized salt can help to ensure that you are getting enough iodine to prevent these emotional feelings from occurring.**Weight Control**
Iodine is important for regulating the metabolism. When it is too high, you may not be able to gain a healthy weight, and if it is too low, you may gain weight, or be unable to lose it. Additionally, iodized salt can increase your energy levels so that you will exercise more.Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Iodized salt can prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying in the intestines and can help you to prevent many symptoms of IBS, such as headaches, fatigue and constipation.**Improved Appearance**
It can help to cure dry and flaky skin, and improve the growth of your hair and nails. It also plays a role in developing and maintaining healthy teeth.**Removes Toxins**
Iodized salt can help to remove harmful metals such as lead and mercury as well as other harmful toxins from your body. This can help to restore a healthy pH level in your body.**Fights Cancer**
Studies have shown that an iodine deficiency may contribute to certain types of cancersuch as breast, ovary, lung and prostate cancers.**Heart Health**
Iodized salt can help to create hormones which regulate the heart rate and blood pressure. It can also help the body to burn extra fat deposits that contribute to heart disease.We only need about 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. of iodized salt daily, as 1/2 tsp. contains as many as 200 micrograms of iodine. The recommended daily dosage for the average adult is 150 micrograms. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consume between 175 to 200 micrograms daily. Most processed foods contain salt, but usually this salt is not iodized. So you need to take the necessary steps to ensure that you are getting enough from iodized salt or from other foods.
**I assume this information is basically accurate. The items I marked are of particular interest to me!
Who knew?
Very interesting, Who knew?! Love Di ♥
ReplyDeleteGood to know..thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteRebecca, love your informative post! Who knew, is so right!
ReplyDeleteHappy I found your blog!
Nancy
Nancy's Notes
You know Rebecca I never use salt either on my table or stove top......I didn't know how good it was for us......:-) Hugs
ReplyDeleteHoly smokes, Rebecca. I didn't know all that about iodized sale. Glad that's the kind I buy. ha! Susan
ReplyDeleteAs a salt-lover, it's great to hear something GOOD about it! 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. a day sure isn't very much to reap all these benefits, is it? Very good info!
ReplyDeleteWow those are some very interesting facts...
ReplyDeleteThanks Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI needed this info. I don't use salt as a rule, always preferring "sweet" to "salty." And I know salt abounds in processed foods that I need to get away from. But will tuck this helpful education away for future use.
Blessings!
I just stumbled over here from a chain of blogs that I cannot remember but this is information that I desperately needed. I didn't even KNOW there was iodized and uniodized salt. I just purchased sea salt because it was supposed to be better some how. My thryroid is underactive (recently diagnosed) and hubby said maybe it was due to the low salt diet we had been on when my mother lived with us a few years ago. Hmm. .. . thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteLanie - that got me thinking about Sea Salt & I found this: "Iodized sea salt may be the perfect substitute for regular iodized table salt and natural sea salt. It contains essential minerals, which naturally are found in sea salt, as well as iodine, which is found in table salt. On top of that, it contains less sodium than regular table salt.
ReplyDeleteWhat Is It?
Iodized sea salt is basically the same as other sea salt, only it has iodine and possibly other ingredients added to it. The salt naturally contains essential trace minerals such as iron, magnesium, calcium and small amounts of iodine. However, the amount of iodine non-iodized sea salt contains is not enough to supply you with your daily recommended intake. Therefore, iodized sea salt may be a better choice in order for you to obtain proper amounts of iodine."
So there IS a difference in I & unI sea salt, too!
Well I was going to ask about sea salt since that is what I have been using and you answered that above...I need to see what I am buying...get info. I have a lot of weight to loose and need all the info I can get to get if off...thanks
ReplyDeleteI knew some of the facts, but not all of them, thanks for the information. I also enjoyed the post about baking soda too.
ReplyDeleteSue