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**Video Transcript** Today, I’m going to talk about an important nutrient. It’s one that many of us don’t get enough of, increasing the likelihood of developing a wide range of health conditions. The nutrient I’m speaking of is iodine How Iodine Affects the Body First of all, what is iodine and what is it good for? It’s a naturally occurring substance, like a mineral. The body uses it to keep healthy. For example, the thyroid gland absorbs iodine and uses it to make thyroid hormones. These hormones are then used to stimulate your metabolism – that is, give you energy, help to maintain a healthy weight, and keep you warm. Insufficient iodine can lead to an underactive thyroid gland and even enlargement of the thyroid, a condition called “goiter”. Many other areas of the body need iodine too.The adrenal glands, ovaries, breasts, prostate, stomach, salivary glands, skin, and muscles require iodine for optimal function. If these tissues don’t get enough, it may lead to lack of sweating, fibromyalgia, and cysts of the ovaries and breasts. It’s also important for proper brain development - babies born to mothers with low iodine tend to have lower IQs. Iodine protects against cancer. It causes cancer cells to commit suicide so that they can’t go on and form tumors. Testing for Iodine Deficiency To find out if you’re low in iodine, you can get a 24 hour urine test from your doctor. You can also get a rough idea of your iodine status by using the iodine “patch test”. Paint a 1 inch square of iodine tincture onto your forearm. If the square disappears within 24 hours, it’s possible that you’re low in iodine – go get the urine test. Sources of Dietary Iodine How do we make sure to get enough iodine, then? Kelp, a sea vegetable, is the easiest way to get iodine in the diet. It can also be taken as a supplement – good ones include Lugol’s iodine solution, Iodoral, and, Nascent Iodine. Of course, if you’re thinking of supplementing with iodine, check with a qualified health practitioner to make sure you’re getting the correct amount. Remember the health benefits of iodine and that it's important for more than just your thyroid! Thanks for listening. For ongoing information and tips about your health, tune into my YouTube channel and read some more of my Articles of Health. They just may save your life! Until next time, this is Dr. Pat Nardini, ND, putting “Your Wellness First!”