Iodine is a natural chemical element, like oxygen, hydrogen and iron. It occurs in a variety of chemical forms, the most important being iodide, iodate and elemental iodine. It is present in fairly constant amounts in seawater but its distribution over land and fresh water is uneven. Deficiency is especially common in mountainous areas (e.g., Himalayas, Andes, Alps) and areas of frequent flooding, but many other areas are also deficient (e.g., Central Africa, Central Asia, much of Europe).
Iodine is an essential part of the chemical structure of thyroid hormones. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front part of the neck. It produces two hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), that are released into the bloodstream and carried to target organs, particularly the liver, kidneys, muscles, heart, and developing brain.
We need iodine because thyroid hormones are essential to life. The thyroid hormones act in target organs by influencing many different chemical reactions, usually involving manufacture of key proteins. The body must have proper levels of thyroid hormone to function well.
The vision of ICCIDD is a world virtually free of iodine deficiency disorders.
 The International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders is a non-profit, non-government organization for the sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency and the promotion of optimal iodine nutrition worldwide. |
The need for iodine
|
