Are you iodine-rich? | Iodine | Thyroid
15 years ago, iodine was absolutely not to be used for thyroid disease. Today we know differently, and I gladly incorporate iodine into my daily life to strengthen my thyroid.
At the beginning of my health journey, when I started to understand the extent of the thyroid's importance for our well-being, it was a complete mess. I was busy trying to understand my condition and why my body and mind were behaving the way they were. An imbalanced thyroid affects every single cell in the body, and the most peculiar symptoms arise. It was exhausting and frightening not to recognize myself in my own body. It was also frightening to realize that there was no credible expertise in healthcare regarding the thyroid, hormonal imbalance, and autoimmune diseases.
One example was the question of iodine. Fifteen years ago, iodine was absolutely not to be supplemented for thyroid disorders. As I delved deeper into herbalism, I learned that hypothyroidism has traditionally been managed with iodine. In herbalism, algae (or seaweed and sea vegetables, which might be the more accurate term) are traditionally used. Some algae, like kelp, have a very high iodine content. It is a very gentle way to supplement iodine, which I think is an added bonus.
I have previously written about algae, seaweed, and sea vegetables and recommended several good books and blogs. You can find that post here. I especially want to highlight Ryan Drum, who previously ran the Fucus Man website and writes extensively about the thyroid and the importance of iodine supplementation.
I try to incorporate algae into my daily diet, but I also apply iodine to my skin, thereby absorbing a small amount of iodine. Some people use iodine internally, even in high doses, and report significant improvements. Personally, I know that my body, and especially my stomach, cannot handle such powerful treatment. Instead, I apply Lugol's iodine solution directly to my skin, thereby providing my thyroid with a little extra nourishment without risking an overdose.
Do you use iodine, and how do you do it?
