What is iodine?

Iodine is a mineral needed for normal thyroid function. It’s found in seaweed, fish and milk.

Wait, what’s a thyroid?

The thyroid is a gland situated in the neck just below the Adam’s apple.

Image courtesy of worldhealth.net

Found it! What does my thyroid do?

It plays a very important role in maintaining normal cognitive function like thinking and problem solving. The thyroid also maintains body temperature, controls your metabolism, regulates heart function and contributes to physical and cognitive growth and development in early life.

Wow! So what happens if my thyroid doesn’t function properly?

Some of the signs of an underactive thyroid, known as hypothyroidism, include decreased energy, dry skin, thinning hair and feeling cold all the time. Muscle aches and forgetfulness can occur too.

Gosh. Is hypothyroidism common?

Well, the World Health Organisation has declared that the UK has a national problem of iodine insufficiency. And research papers in 2011 and 2014 identified 76% of British teenage school girls and 66% of adult women as iodine deficient.

Ladies! Eat more seaweed!

Crikey. Should I be worried? How do I treat an underactive thyroid?

If your thyroid is borderline, or you have some of the symptoms, you may find consuming more iodine makes a big difference.

Better get my iodine on then! What if I don’t eat dairy or animals?

Iodine can be manufactured and added to salt or taken in supplements. But seaweed is the most concentrated form of natural iodine, easily absorbed by the body.

It's easy to enjoy a vegan diet without becoming iodine deficient.

What kind of iodine isn’t easily absorbed by the body?

There are different types of iodine. Potassium iodide found in salt and supplements is absorbed very quickly and excreted again within three hours. However, natural iodine found in seaweed is absorbed by the body slowly and excreted over the next three days. This creates a much more stable, steady supply of iodine for the thyroid.

So there are side effects if I have too much iodine?

Too much iodine can be over-stimulating and lead to an overactive thyroid, known as hyperthyroidism.

Oh oh. How do I find a happy medium then?

Mara Seaweed is your best natural source of iodine. One serving (2g or 1 tsp) will provide you with your recommended daily amount of iodine and it’s easily added to food during cooking as a seasoning. Far more enjoyable than taking a pill and much more delicious!

Just one teaspoon of Mara seaweed a day can maintain normal thyroid function.

Sold! Where can I try some of this thyroid-friendly seaweed?

Visit Mara's shop and use SEASKEPTIC to get 15% off your first order.