And How to Get More in Your Diet

Crystal Maceira, CBP, LMT, MH
January – February 2025 • Vol 4, No 14

Iodine is a mineral that plays an essential role in women’s health. It is a vital micronutrient for all stages of life, including fetal development and early childhood. Iodine is metabolized in the human body through a series of stages involving the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid gland and blood.

Despite being present in only small amounts, iodine is crucial for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland, which regulates hormones that control metabolism, growth, and development. In this article, we will explore why iodine is so important for women’s wellbeing and how you can ensure you are getting enough of it in your diet.

Iodine’s Importance for Women’s Health

While the majority of iodine is in the thyroid gland, it can be found in several other areas of the body: mammary glands, eyes, gastric mucosa, cervix and salivary glands. The human body requires iodine to produce thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), two hormones produced by the thyroid gland. Its deficiency interferes with the synthesis of these hormones.

When that happens, the pituitary steps in by increasing the TSH, which then stimulates the thyroid to increase the uptake of iodide and makes sure that the release of the thyroid hormones are in enough supply. Animal studies have proven that iodine normalizes elevated adrenal corticosteroid hormone secretion related to stress and reverses the effects of hypothyroidism on the ovaries, testicles and thymus.

The mammary glands have a trapping system for iodine similar to that of the thyroid gland, they seem to “compete” with the thyroid gland for ingested iodine. When iodine disappears into the breast tissue, it also decreases the ability to supply the thyroid gland with enough iodine.

The Dangers of Iodine Deficiency Disorders

Iodine deficiency is a significant public-health problem worldwide, particularly in developing countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 2 billion people globally have insufficient levels of iodine intake. This has led to increased rates of goiter, cretinism, stillbirths, miscarriages, and congenital abnormalities. Goiter is a condition where the thyroid gland becomes enlarged due to iodine deficiency. Cretinism refers to severe mental-retardation conditions caused by lack of iodine during fetal development. Additionally, iodine deficiency can impair cognitive development in children and reduce productivity among adults.

How Iodine Can Help Prevent Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer affecting women today. According to Cancer.org, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer. It is the second leading cause of death among women. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, studies suggest that adequate iodine intake may play a protective role against this disease. Research has shown that one of the main causes of this form of cancer is the lack of iodine. Research also shows that iodine helps to regulate estrogen production, which is a hormone associated with breast-cancer risk. There is strong evidence that a lack of iodine increases the risk of breast cancer.

Iodine supplementation has been shown to reduce the size and growth rate of breast tumors in animal models. If you were to research other areas of the world, especially Japan and Iceland, you’d find very low incidences of breast cancer due to their high intake of iodine-rich foods, like seaweed.

Iodine Supplementation for Women’s Wellbeing

In addition to its importance for thyroid function, iodine also offers several benefits for overall health. For example, iodine supports immune system function, promotes healthy skin, hair and nails, and helps to detoxify the body from heavy metal