In order for your body to burn food for fuel it must have a healthy thyroid to kickstart the process. The function of the thyroid gland is to take iodine and convert it into thyroid hormones. Thyroid cells are the only cells in the body which can absorb iodine. These cells combine iodine and the amino acid tyrosine to make T3 and T4 which then released into the blood stream and are transported throughout the body to control metabolism (conversion of oxygen and calories to energy).
So the thyroid needs iodine, but our processed foods contain scant levels of iodine. Plus certain chemicals we ingest daily block iodine in our cells. The three most prevalent are chlorine (in water and cleaning products), fluoride (in toothpaste and water) and bromide (found in commercial baked goods and soft drinks). When we diet and “starve” our cells our metabolism eventually slows down and losing weight becomes more of an effort. Increasing iodine in your diet can help to jump-start your metabolism again.
If you can find iodized salt and are not salt-restricted, you can help by using that condiment. You can also buy iodine supplements containing potassium iodide, sodium iodide and molecular iodine. A recommended dosage is 3-6.25 mg/daily.
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