
Although many do not know the importance of iodine in the body, it is the mineral responsible for the hormonal activity of our body, especially thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland needs iodine to produce thyroid hormones, so it is a necessary mineral for the human diet. But, to take care of the thyroid, are iodine-rich foods necessary? Is it enough to eat a healthy diet?
Tips for taking care of your thyroid
According to Dr. Ariana Paola Canche Arenas, a specialist in internal medicine and Master in clinical nutrition, it is not necessary to eat a diet that is especially rich in iodine. “Today almost all foods, even salt, have iodine in their composition. If we eat a balanced diet there is no risk of iodine deficiency.”
In the event that there is some type of thyroid problem, this health expert recommends that the diet be reviewed by a doctor and specialist nutritionist. In this way, the foods that will best suit the patient will be recommended, taking into account the characteristics of their case.
Foods that have more iodine
To eat a healthy diet, it is not necessary to obsess over foods that are rich in iodine, since a balanced diet provides the necessary contribution. As proof of this, these are some of the foods that your diet has to contain and that will be providing you with iodine.
+Fish and seafood
Fish and shellfish are one of the best sources of iodine, especially in the case of products such as herring, prawns, mussels, salmon or prawns are foods very rich in iodine. Also fish oil or cod liver oil. These foods, in addition to iodine, provide different vitamins of group B, as well as vitamins A and D.
+Dairy products and their derivatives
Milk, yogurts and cheeses provide iodine in addition to calcium and vitamins; as well as cereals such as rice, rye or wheat.
+Vegetables
On the other hand, we also find vegetables, especially onions, garlic, Swiss chard or green beans, as well as edible algae such as kelp.
Do not forget that the most important thing is to eat a healthy diet that includes, in a balanced way, all the nutrients that your body needs to be healthy.