Iodine deficiency places you at higher risk of thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer is the most common cancer in hormone-producing glands and its incidence is on the rise in most parts of the world, including the USA.

A study published this month in the journal Thyroid Research has shown there is strong evidence to support a link between iodine deficiency and subsequent thyroid cancer, particularly follicular cancer. Your thyroid gland has a high requirement for iodine. Thyroid hormones are made of iodine and also the amino acid tyrosine. Iodine also helps to protect your thyroid gland from the harmful effects of radiation and environmental chemicals.

A surprisingly large number of people are iodine deficient. There is a urine test any doctor can order to check if there is enough iodine in your body. We test many of our patients for iodine and the majority of them turn out to be deficient.

Iodine is found primarily in the oceans, therefore seafood and seaweed are a good source. Unfortunately a lot of people don’t eat seafood regularly, and much of the seafood sold today is farmed, where the fish are not fed their natural diet. This usually makes them much lower in iodine. Seaweed is a good source of iodine, but it’s not commonly consumed. Iodine is present in Thyroid Health capsules, along with other supportive nutrients for a healthy thyroid gland.

Reference