Easy Ways to Consume More Iodine

According to the most recent studies, today’s adults require about 150 mcg of iodine in their diets each day in order to maintain proper health. For pregnant or nursing women, that number goes all the way up to 290 mcg per day. Unfortunately, not getting enough of this essential element can eventually cause some pretty serious health problems. Iodine levels can be checked with a simple doctor’s appointment in which your urine and/or thyroid are tested. If your physician advises you to consume more iodine, then you are going to need to know how to accomplish that task.

Use a Little More Table Salt

You might have heard that too much table salt can be bad for your health, and for the most part that is the truth. However, those who need to find efficient and healthy ways to consume more iodine will most likely want to get out the salt shaker at the dinner table despite popular belief. Most modern table salts naturally contain sufficient amounts of iodine, and they can serve as an inexpensive way to put more of the element in your everyday diet. In fact, just a half teaspoon of table salt can provide the average person with 100 percent of his or her required daily intake.

Get Familiar with Fish

If you are not too keen on adding extra salt to all your dishes, then perhaps you should start to consider eating the fishes. Seafood, as a natural source of iodine, is also full of essential fatty acids as well as vital vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients. Interestingly, sushi, shrimp, and tuna are all sources of at least 10 percent of your recommended daily intake. When you are able to consume more iodine without sacrificing the health of your other bodily systems, then you have found a perfect iodine source. Get familiar with various fish recipes to improve iodine levels in your body drastically.

Take a Supplement

If adding or subtracting food from your diet plan is not exactly what you are wanting to do, then you could always consider taking some sort of supplement in order to consume more iodine safely and efficiently on a daily basis. As a general rule, you should always do your research on said supplement before you begin taking it. And as always, consult with your doctor or with a certified nutritionist if you are unsure about the side effects or have other important questions.