ByDr. Edward F. Group

Guest Writer forWake Up World

The thyroid gland synthesizes thyroid hormones andiodineis an essential trace mineral that is crucial for the thyroid to function properly. Eating foods rich in iodine ensures the thyroid is able to manage metabolism, detoxification, growth and development.

Research has shown that alack of dietary iodinemay lead to enlargement of the thyroid gland, lethargy, fatigue, weakness of the immune system, slow metabolism, autism, weight gain and possibly even mental states such as anxiety and depression.

The good news is that there are many popular foods with iodine, all of which are easy to incorporate into your daily diet.

The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for iodine is 150 micrograms daily for everybody over the age of 14. The RDA for children ages 1-8 is 90/mcg every day, ages 9-13 is 120/mcg every day. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, it is recommended that you get 290/mcg every day.

Iodine Rich Foods

1. Sea Vegetables

The ocean hosts the largest storehouse of iodine foods, including Kelp, Arame, Hiziki, Kombu, and Wakame. Kelp has the highest amount of iodine of any food on the planet and just one serving offers 4 times the daily minimum requirement. 1 tablespoon of Kelp contains about 2000/mcg of iodine, 1 tablespoon of Arame contains about 730/mcg of iodine, 1 tablespoon of Hiziki contains about 780/mcg of iodine, 1 one inch piece of Kombu contains about 1450/mcg of iodine, 1 tablespoon of Wakame contains about 80/mcg of iodine. I recommend sprinkling these into soups or salads.

2. Cranberries

This antioxidant rich fruit is another great source of iodine. About 4 ounces of cranberries contain approximately 400/mcg of iodine. I recommend buying fresh organic berries or juice. If you buy cranberry juice from the store, be aware of how much sugar it contains.

3. Organic Yogurt

4. Organic Navy Beans

Many beans are a great food source of iodine and navy beans may top the list. Just 1/2 cup of these beans contain about 32/mcg of iodine. Beans aren’t just an iodine food, they are also incrediblyhigh in fiber.

5. Organic Strawberries

This tasty red fruit packs up to 10% of your daily iodine needs in just a single serving. One cup of fresh strawberries has approximately 13/mcg of iodine. Try buying fresh, organic strawberries from your localfarmer’s market, they do not disappoint!

6. Himalayan Crystal Salt

This form of salt, also known as gray salt, is an excellent source of naturally-occurring iodine. While many types oftable saltare iodine-enriched, they are also stripped of all their natural health properties and are chemically processed. Just one gram ofhimalayan saltcontains approximately 500/mcg of iodine.

7. Potatoes

The common potato is an easy addition to most meals and is one of the richest sources of iodine in the vegetable kingdom. Leave the skin on and one medium-sized baked potato holds 60/mcg of iodine.

Iodine Supplements

If you’re not a fan of the iodine foods listed above, then you can always take an iodine supplement. There are many differenttypes of iodine supplementson the market, so knowing the differences between each is vital. I recommend a transformative nano-colloidal detoxifiednascent iodine supplement, which the body is quickly able to turn into its own effective mineral iodides for maximum absorption.

– Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

Previous articles by Dr. Group:

• 10 Natural Remedies for Kidney Stones
• The 9 Best Herbs for Lung Cleansing and Respiratory Support
• 12 Uses For Iodine (And Other Tips, Research, and Resources)
• The Benefits of Himalayan Salt
• Lung Cleansing With Peppermint Oil
• How to Flush the Liver
• Natural Remedies For Bad Breath
• 10 Foods That Detox the Body
• The Benefits of Organic Hemp Milk + How to Make Your Own
• Seven Facts You May Not Know About Coconut Oil

About the author:

Dr. Edward F. GroupfoundedGlobal Healing Centerin 1998 and is currently the Chief Executive Officer. Heading up the research and development team, Dr. Group assumes a hands-on approach in producing new and advanced degenerative disease products and information.

Dr. Group has studied natural healing methods for over 20 years and now teaches individuals and practitioners all around the world. He no longer sees patients but solely concentrates on spreading the word of health and wellness to the global community. Under his leadership, Global Healing Center, Inc. has earned recognition as one of the largest alternative, natural and organic health resources on the Internet.