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Showing posts with label Diet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Diet. Show all posts

3 Causes For Weight Gain Due to Lack of Sleep


Research shows a connection between sleep enough ideal. weighing less than eight hours cause bad eating habits that can add weight .Studies by the University of Pennsylvania revealed people awake between 22:00 until 04:00 tend to drink more calories . People who sleep less than eight hours , the average caloric intake of 553 calories increases . 






The study also revealed that lack of sleep can lead to some bad eating habits that could potentially increase the weight . Include the following:* Lots of eating in the morning .Research shows that lack of sleep participants admitted hungry in the morning and breakfast with more servings , and the next day so frequent snacking . Researchers say lack of sleep in one night alone cause a person to eat more because of the triggering of ghrelin , a hormone that stimulates appetite .* Not stop eating junk food .If lack of sleep , the brain will trigger impulsive action and makes you choose your tinggi.Sehingga calorie foods will tend more often eat junk food like pizza and donuts . Healthy foods like fruits and vegetables is not tempting . According to research at the University of California , Berkeley , part of the brain that are used to make complex decisions disturbed and part of the brain that controls the desire to become stronger .* Snacking afternoon uncontrollable .According to research by the University of Chicago and the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee , lack of sleep triggers the body to release a molecule called 2 - AG , which triggered hunger . Study participants who slept only 4.5 hours had a higher molecular levels . These higher levels ahead of the afternoon , so the higher cravings .

Very powerful weight loss tips to shed fat!

Breakfast is the most vital meal. It should not be missed in order to refuel your body from functional metabolic changes during long hours of sleep. It is best to include carbohydrates, fats and proteins for an ideal nutrition such as combinations of fresh fruits, bread toast and breakfast cereals with milk. Maintain a well balanced diet for a healthy living. A well balanced diet is eating different kinds of nutritious foods in proportion. It will boost your energy and will improve your welfare. Excessive as well as deficiency of specific vitamins and minerals can also cause undesirable effects to your health. Be careful of what you buy in the grocery store, an attractive food package and expensive price does not necessarily mean that it is healthy. Famous product endorsers can also be very convincing but you should not believe everything you see and hear from them. It is best that you have your own knowledge of what is good for you. The most important thing to know about allergy is the allergen. Allergens are substances that trigger allergy which can be in the form of dust, pet's hair, scents, pollen and smoke. Trace the pattern of your allergy. Sneezing after cleaning your house might mean that your allergens are dust. Limit intake of processed foods as in canned goods, refrigerated and dried foods. The food processing alters the natural components of the foods which make it less beneficial to the body. The use of chemicals to preserve, control and enhance the flavor can be more damaging to the systems of the body than enhancing health. Consider eating whole foods. Whole foods are nutritious foods having its natural compounds intact. It is neither processed nor refined. It does not contain added chemicals such as flavorings, preservatives and other ingredients. Start eating whole foods by adding slices of fresh fruits and vegetables to each and every meal. Control yourself from eating too much during holidays and parties. Foods prepared can be very mouth watery but you need to resist it by staying away from the preparation. As much as possible, set in your mind that you need to eat only nutritious foods at a non excessive amount. Be conscious of what you are drinking. Sodas, coffee, energy drink and alcohol drinks contain a lot of calories. It concentrates more on making your belly fats bigger. When you feel thirsty, the cheapest and most helpful for your body is to grab a glass of water or diluted freshly squeezed juice instead. Maintain a low fat diet. Foods that are naturally low in fats are fruits, vegetables, beans and grains. Make sure to check the product labels you buy from the market. Fat content label per serving should not be greater than 2 to 3 grams. It is best to choose fat content of 1 gram of fat per 100 calories. Supplement your body with iron nutrition. Iron can only be taken from food sources such as red meats, fish, poultry, cereals, leafy vegetables and raisins. It serves as a fuel to energize our body by helping in red blood cells production. Take iron-rich foods with Vitamin C for an effective iron absorption. Eat banana for breakfast is an effective weight loss plan known as Miracle Morning Banana Diet. In this diet plan, all you need is to eat banana for breakfast; drink adequate water; no more eating after 8:00 PM and sleep before midnight. It is proven to be effective since bananas increase metabolism. Include high-fiber foods in your diet plan. It is a simple means to maintain health and physical fitness. High-fiber foods can be found in whole foods such as fruits, legumes, nuts, grains and vegetables. Fiber contents can help enhance your energy and will keep you away from diseases such as cardiovascular disease.

Combat Inflammation: Diet Tips

When you experience inflammation, it is a very uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous sign that something is wrong. Inflammation takes place when there is a painful swelling in a particular area, with redness and occasionally disables movement or function. If you are experiencing it constantly, it is best to know the reasons behind it and to reduce the inflammation by eating right. Below are some short tips on what kinds of food to eat. It is advisable to talk to an expert with regard to your diet. These should be combined with exercise and the right medication for your inflammation. * Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids These types of food contain the "good" fats and oils which can be found in certain types of fish such as tuna and salmon. Aside from that, you can also take it from certain types of nuts like walnuts, and seeds like pumpkin seeds. Besides these, avocado and olive oil can also give you the monosaturated fatty acids that you need. * Protein-rich Food You need protein in order to help your body repair itself, especially since inflammation can be damaging to your cells. Seafoods and lean meat such as chicken, turkey, and so on are great sources. There are also many non-meat sources of protein such as nuts like almonds and walnuts, soy foods like tofu, and so on. * Well-prepared Fruits and Vegetables Eating fruits and vegetables is mandatory if you want to stay healthy. You can incorporate broccoli, carrots, blueberries, and so on into your diet to help fight inflammation. Stay away from salty, processed, fatty, and sugary foods such as red meats, sausages, soda drinks, candies, and so on because these can increase inflammation. Stay away from the foods that are known to trigger allergies such as chocolates and potatoes. When searching for nutritional supplements to prevent and reduce inflammation, look for Vitamin B complex, A, C and E, with folic acid. These are well known not only to fight inflammation, but also to keep you healthy.

Diets That Work: It's Not That Difficult


If you think you are gaining too much recently, or couldn't bear anymore your own weight, one logical thing you would look for is diets that work. While some go for drinking slimming teas and pills, these only help to give them fake hopes. Proper diet and enough physical exercise remain as the only way to lose pounds.

However, too many diets are now coming out and most of the people end up confused on what actually works. Most diets focus on just simply taking in veggies or fruits. While some tend to reduce the consumption of certain food items like those rich in carbohydrates and calories.


If you are planning to shed pounds in a safe and effective way, you can try following diets that work.

One is named the Sonoma diet. Sonoma diet focuses on fruits and vegetables that basically contain antioxidants that may help in losing extra pounds. Some of the food items that can be eaten are spinach, blueberries, a small amount of almond oil and whole grains. You are also allowed to drink red wine but limit it to only one glass. Sonoma diet is considered by many health experts as an effective diet that doesn't give fake hopes.

Another is known as the negative calorie diet. It is actually like a diet aid. The net calorie count of each food item to be taken must always be less than the total calories taken for you to digest them. Included in the list of food items are fruits, veggies, and low-fat food items. Since the calorie output would be negative, there's a high probability of shedding weight.

The cabbage soup diet is another well-liked diet that you can try. It has been tried and tested effective for a few years already. You just have to eat cabbage soup if you are hungry. The cabbage soup would typically fill you up. The soup is allegedly very low-calorie and would assist you in losing enough weight. This is only one of the long lists of diets that work.

If you're still not convinced if any of the first three is indeed working, then you can try another one. This is named the Zone Diet. Under this diet, you only need to make certain that you are taking the right ratio of carbohydrates to protein and fats. This principally allows you to have command over the insulin concentration on your blood.

Having too much insulin and fats may cause redness of your body. Zone Diet provides help in improving your metabolic rate, helping you to shed pounds faster and better. Supporters of this diet plan aren't actually prohibited to eat certain food items, but it is commended to just avoid pastas and grains.

These are just some of the proven effective diets that work. In trying any ane of these , however , physical exercises must always be accompanied. That will assist you in losing weight in a shorter time period, while making you healthier.

By Amy Bernstein

Manage Your Diet with Hoodia Gordonii

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Do you know that a lot of people are still unaware of how hoodia diet pills impact on a person's health when taken everyday? Many of them are also in the dark as to what types of food can or cannot be taken with the supplements. Indeed, despite being widely-known and used for some time now, many aspects about the products are unfamiliar to many people.


Basically, hoodia gordonii is a natural appetite-suppressing product. It does not have fat-burning qualities nor does it have any unpleasant side effects. What it does is send a message to the brain misleading it to think that you are full; hence, you will lower your intake and lose weight in the process. Many users testify that after taking hoodia, they lose interest in eating.

As for what you can and cannot eat, the sky's the limit but if weight loss and your health is a priority then you should obviously strive to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Again, since hoodia is an appetite suppressant you may not be as hungry as you normally are. In fact, you may be tempted to skip a meal.

Despite feeling full and not having the desire to eat, you should make sure you eat a balanced meal anyway. Your body not only needs the nutrients but the calories are necessary to keep your metabolism burning high. When you restrict calories your body's metabolism slows down so you'll put on weight instead of losing it!

The great thing about hoodia diet pills is that you'll have greater control over what you eat and how much you eat. Since you won't be as hungry as you used to be, you won't be tempted to overeat and you'll be more motivated to eat healthier foods. That's the true power of hoodia gordonii - gaining control over your diet.

Finally, it's important to point out that hoodia supplements, while effective for a lot of people, don't always work. To ensure you have the greatest chance of success with these diet pills it's important you take authentic hoodia diet pills. Unfortunately, most are fake so be sure you do your homework.

Once you find a brand that works, you'll gain more control over your diet without any adverse side effects and you'll have an easier time at reaching your weight loss goals!

By Jack Andrew

The Truth About The Atkins Diet


The Atkins diet is really called the Atkins nutritional approach. It was the brainchild of the doctor named Robert Atkins. He put on a lot of pounds while he attended medical school. A medical Journal had an article about a diet. He decided to improve it and release it under his name.


Dr. Atkins had rather radical theories about the nature of weight gain as expressed in the Atkins diet. He held that saturated fats weren't as bad as people claim. Instead it was carbohydrates that led to the weight problems Americans have. Atkins held that our obsession with fat actually worsened the problem. Many low-fat foods are packed with carbohydrates. Dieters were being tricked into eating foods that would cause them to gain more weight.

The Atkins diet changes this. By cutting out carbohydrates people would burn stored body fats. Lose the fat lose the weight. It's not just a matter of eating less. Dr. Atkins held that your diet could actually help you burn calories. In fact Atkins cited a study that claimed the body would burn an extra 950 calories on his diet. But later reviews of his studies found that his claims were false.

In addition to claims of weight loss, Dr. Atkins said his Atkins diet could help people with type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is most often associated with obesity. Weight loss associated with the Atkins diet, as with any diet, would therefore help people manage type 2 diabetes. But the Atkins diet is also low in carbohydrates, which must be avoided with type 2 diabetes regardless of caloric intake, so by means of this aspect of the diet Atkins claimed those who suffer type 2 diabetes would no longer need medication such as insulin. But that's counter to the prevailing medical theories regarding type 2 diabetes which, although recommending that lowered intake of carbohydrates and weight loss help manage diabetes, ascribe no causal relationship between carbohydrates and type 2 diabetes.

So just how does this Atkins diet work? It follows four phases - induction, ongoing weight loss, pre-maintenance and lifetime maintenance. Here are more details of Induction which is the most crucial of the phases.

The Induction phase is the most difficult phase of the Atkins diet. Atkins is flexible as to the time period but recommends two weeks. Carbohydrates are nearly removed entirely from the diet, only 15-20 grams can be consumed each day. The lack of carbohydrates will prompt the body to convert fat into fatty acids for fuel a process known as ketosis. Weight loss of 20 pounds over this period isn't uncommon that's a staggering amount.

The next three phases of the Atkins diet help establish the levels of carbs people can consume in order to lose weight and to maintain a desired weight. Millions of people are still losing weight on this diet but beware the dangers of taking in too much fat.

For losing weight the Atkins Diet is for sure the right way.

By Slim Slater

Low Fat Diet Holds Great Promise For Reducing Heart Disease

One causative factor that stands out continuously of heart disease is fat in the diet. 400,000 deaths each year may be attributed to obesity. Studies have shown that obesity and heart disease are inevitably linked.

Losing weight can do wonders for your general health and well-being. It may even save you or your loved ones from heart attacks, strokes, and other illnesses in which the role of the "killer" fat is unmistakable.

The worst thing about heart disease is that people can go decades without any sign or symptoms and suddenly have a massive heart attack and drop dead.

If you are currently overweight
than finding ways to control this will greatly reduce your risk of a severe heart attack. You may diet to lose weight, by eliminating certain foods from your diet, by including others in the right amounts, and by the use of nutritional supplements, you can achieve at least a 50 per cent protection against heart attack.

In the United States and Europe butter, eggs, whole milk, cream, meat, fish and poultry fats, and cheese in various combinations is the outstanding fats are being eaten daily.

In these fats, per gram contain 9 calories, which is more than twice the amount of calories than protein or carbohydrate does at four calories each per gram.

By reducing the fat intake will dramatically help you to lose weight. Researchs show that the reduction of fat content in the national diet have many effect on the number of deaths from heart attack.

Pathologists, doctors, and medical researchers, have since produced overwhelming evidence to show that when blood cholesterol and fats are high, the arteries were correspondingly high in the degree of damage or destruction by atherosclerosis. And when the blood levels of fat were low, the damage to heart and brain was also low.

To follow a correct nutritional program, and to follow it consistently, one might almost say religiously is the only one safe and effective way to achieve the correct poundage and to keep it at that figure.

The low-fat way of life can be followed by anyone, anywhere, and it is simple, safe, effective. And it holds great promise for everyone, whether the person has atherosclerosis or not. So Let us "eat to live, not live to eat.

By Haiyan Lai-Heskin


Apnea and Dieting: How to Make Weight Loss Easier

For people with sleep disorders, a healthy diet and regular exercise is not enough to combat weight gain. If you suffer from sleep apnea then beware if you're only losing sleep and not the unwanted fat.

Yes, sleep is necessary for not only mental focus and physical stamina but is essential to regulate your weight!

You might have a hidden sleep disorder that is wreaking havoc on your hormones " and leading to more weight gain!

Sleep apnea related weight gain is all too common. It is estimated that 80 million Americans live with undiagnosed sleep apnea today.

First tackle the sleep problems. Then good sleep will start working for you in your battle to lose weight, instead of against you. Your efforts to lose weight will become much easier if you solve the sleeping problem first.

If you have apnea and are not regularly using CPAP, then you are almost certainly going to gain weight.

Heres some science behind the connection between apnea and weight gain:


1. Most of you don't have time to feel run down from lack of sleep. Your body's solution is to crave immediate energy by carbo-loading in the form of sugar, carbohydrates and other calorie rich foods. In a study by the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, patients with the most extreme cases of sleep problems were also consuming the most calories, protein, cholesterol and saturated fat.

2. The Quebec Family Study found that short sleepers (five to six hours a night) were 35% more likely than average sleepers to have an 11-pound weight gain over six years.

3. It turns out that the best appetite suppressant is a good night's sleep. Poor quality sleep causes levels of the hormone ghrelin to severely increase in your gastrointestinal tract. This hormone is in charge of making you feel hungry. You increase your levels of ghrelin every time you get a bad night's sleep.

By Pam McKee


Weight Loss Programs and Extreme Diets Will Never Work

Many people are very similar to you. They are tired of constantly trying new exercises and diets that just will never work. Your motivated at first, but as time progresses you become tired of it, and you feel as if you have failed again.

Does the above description sound like you? Are you angry and frustrated about why your diet programs are not working? Just like you, many others feel the same way. There are countless reasons explaining why diets fail and this article will cover the most important.

Your weight loss program failed because it was bogus. Extreme diets will burn you out, making it hard to maintain consistency. Exercises using absurd movements and consuming limited types of foods is not sustainable in the long haul. You have to choose an exercise and diet program that you will enjoy doing in the short term and for the long term in order to drop that weight for good.

Another reason why you don't stick to your weight loss program
could be that you were lacking support from those around you. Perhaps family members didn't back you up and pressured you to just take one bite of dessert with the rest of them. Maybe your friends didn't respect your decision to start working out; perhaps they even made fun of you! Support is critical. Try joining a weight loss support group full of people just like you, or hiring a personal trainer to help you stay motivated.

Another reason could be that you were dieting incorrectly (i.e. not exercising, or over exercising and under eating). The goals were never reached and you quit out of disappointment and frustration. Diet and exercise must be done together to experience effective weight loss. A workout plan must include both diet and exercise.

You may not have seen the results you wanted due to your own impatience. It takes time for your body to adapt to a new lifestyle. It could take several weeks before you see any weight loss. Your body is hard to change, so you have to force it to change and be alert by sticking with your diet and exercise plan. If you stay patient with a good plan, you are sure to see results.

A final reason for you to quit your weight loss program could be that you lacked a bona fide commitment. It is impossible to begin a new lifestyle with only half the motivation. Diet and exercise plans require full mental commitment. You will find yourself taking shortcuts around your diet and become frustrated when the scale goes up not down. Personally commit to this workout plan from day 1 and don't look back. Remember that if you continue to do what you always did then you will get what you always got.

Ironically, the secret to weight loss is not actually a secret to anyone. We have always know what it is: a healthy diet and exercise are what will help us lose weight. There is no miracle way to get that perfect body. There is absolutely no "instant fat loss" cure. Pick a healthy workout that you enjoy and will maintain. Keep realistic goals and your diet will have you thin in no time.

By Robert Kaufman
About the Author:
If you want to investigate additional articles about belly fat loss check for additional articles at body fat lose.



Is the South Beach Diet Really Safe?

When it comes to the South Beach Diet, one of the most common questions is, "How safe is the South Beach Diet?" You may be skeptical of the South Beach Diet because you have tried fad diets in the past where a bunch of weight is lost only to be regained with gusto as soon as the diet ends. That type of diet is not safe. But the South Beach Diet is not that type of diet. Simply put, the South Beach Diet teaches you new and healthier eating habits. When you follow these healthy diet habits, you lose weight.

What are the benefits of the South Beach Diet? The biggest benefit found on the South Beach Diet isn't weight loss. It's learning how to eat healthier. The South Beach Diet teaches you how to tell the difference between good and bad carbs, and clues you in on what fats are ok to eat and which ones aren't. These simple facts are what make the South Beach Diet so effective.

There are many foods out there that are not good for us to eat: candy, chips, cake, chili cheese fries. Eating a lot of foods that are high in both sugar and saturated fat is part of an extremely unhealthy diet. In Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet, you eliminate these problematic foods from your diet by reducing your "sweet calories" to 75 per day.

The removal of fruits and grains during Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet is often another bone of contention. This is because we know and understand these foods to be healthy so we question why we should have to give them up at this stage of the diet. South Beach Diets answer to that is, yes, these things are good for us, but only in moderation.

Once the two weeks of Phase 1 is complete, you begin to add fruits and grains back into your diet, but this time in a healthy, informed and sensible way. The important thing about this phase of the South Beach Diet is that you no longer crave those high-sugar, high-fat foods. You have broken the hold they had on you, so now you are free to eat them smartly.

Some have also wondered how the South Beach Diet affects pregnant women. It is not recommended that pregnant women enter into Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet. If you are pregnant and still want to follow the South Beach Diet program, skip over Phase 1 and start the diet in Phase 2.

Likewise, due to the fact that growing is still taking place and two weeks without grains and fruit can make them lethargic, teenagers are quite often discouraged from following the South Beach Diet.

If you are in any doubt as to whether the South Beach Diet will be good for you, it only takes a quick consultation with your doctor or nutritionist who will be more than happy to give you advice. Each and every one of us is different and it may be that the original South Beach Diet needs tweaking just a little to be appropriate for you.

By Linda Miller

Effect of Diet On Arthritis

Arthritis is a disease that is generally common in old people of above 50 years age. There are almost about 100 different types of arthritis a human can suffer with. Every year millions of people do suffer from this painful disease of arthritis. Arthritis is basically a condition in which the lubricating layer of the protecting layer of the joints of our body decreases of gets destroyed due to some reason. Owing to the lack of this lubricating layer the bones gets continuous friction, each time the patients uses his joints like those of ankles, knees, elbows etc. This rubbing of bone leads to a very painful sensation which sometimes is so unbearable. It's quite astonishing to know that this arthritis can be treated by avoiding certain specific diet in your regular meal.

Hence each and every patient suffering from arthritis should be well aware of all those food ingredients that could trigger up the severity of this painful disease.

Proper food habit and a regular exercise is the key to maintain a healthy life. If a proper diet is taken, then the severity of arthritis can obviously be decreased. There are several foods that accelerate the intensity of arthritis hence patients should be well known the foods to avoid with arthritis. All those diets which could enhance your regular weight should then and there be avoided. Overweight is one of the major issues to trigger the arthritis as it causes extra pressure on the joints and even worsen the situation.

It is not said that simply avoiding certain foods can get you free from the clutch of arthritis. A regular intake of adequate diet is also very much essential. Foods rich in carbohydrates and proteins and vitamins are helpful in arthritis. Fruits should be taken in ample amount, as it has large content of vitamins in it.

All the arthritis patients should be well aware of those food ingredients which they need to be away from. Foods that are needed to be avoided with arthritis are milk, flour, sugar, red meat, butter and margarine, chocolate, sugar, caffeine, white potatoes, salt, wheat flour and Bran. These foods are either rich in its fat content or produces acidic behavior inside our body.

Regardless of the above food to avoid with arthritis, there should be a high intake of those foods by the patients which act as a alkali to our body. These foods can neutralize the acidic content of the body that's basically the triggering cause of arthritis pain. Apples, blackberries, kiwi fruit, peaches, mango, cantaloupe, strawberries, sardines, herring, salmon, mackerel, tuna, turmeric are the food ingredients that has a alkaline effect on our body, thus helpful in reducing arthritis.

Above diet information is undoubtedly helpful in reducing the pain of an Arthritis patient but he should also follow a regular Yoga or exercise as suggested by an orthopedic.

By Max Rad

Why Your Diet May Not Be As Rich In Iodine As You Assume

The trace mineral iodine is well known for its crucial role in enabling the body's manufacture of vital thyroid hormones, but it is also important for the health of the immune system and for optimal brain function. It is widely believed by many authorities that iodine deficiency should never be seen in the affluent West, although this problem affects millions throughout the developed world.

Some nutritionists argue, however, that this conventional view is too optimistic, because the content of all minerals in foods is heavily dependent on the mineral content of the soil from which those foods are derived. The assumption must therefore be that the continuing de-mineralisation of farm soils has led to a reduction in the amount of dietary iodine commonly consumed.

Fish and other seafood, however, remain a relatively rich source because these ocean creatures concentrate the sea's iodine in their flesh. Though not commonly eaten in the West, seaweed, or kelp, is also an excellent source of iodine for this reason, and is readily available in the form of a dietary supplements. Dairy products and certain meats may also be a good source, particularly where iodine is routinely added to farm animal feed. But in countries, including most of Western Europe, where animals are grazing fields growing on iodine depleted soils, levels are likely to be much lower.

So even in the West, those not including fish or seafood in their diets, and not using iodised or sea salt, may be at real risk of deficiency. In an effort to compensate for low levels of dietary iodine, the mineral has been routinely added to ordinary table salt in the US for many years. But the practice is not as common in the UK and other European countries, where specially iodised or natural "sea-salt" has been marketed more as a luxury alternative. The problem of insufficient dietary iodine has been compounded on both sides of the Atlantic, however, by increasing concern about the possible adverse health consequences, particularly high blood pressure, of excessive salt intake. Many nutritionists, however, regard these fears as exaggerated, and believe that any such potential problems are far less serious than the consequences of an insufficiency of iodine, and may be easily resolved by the use of the low sodium salt alternatives available.

Iodine, however, cannot in any case be regarded as a luxury. Its essential function lies in the production of the vital thyroid hormones; thyroxine, sometimes known as T4, and tri-iodothyronine, or T3. And as is well known, these hormones are crucially important in ensuring a healthy metabolic rate and the release of energy from food; so an underactive thyroid gland is commonly the villain in cases of excessive weight gain, particularly where this of sudden onset, and in cases of difficulty in losing weight even when following a sensible reducing programme. A healthy thyroid gland is also crucial for the optimal functioning of the immune system.

But perhaps even more importantly, iodine deficiency is also known as a major cause of avoidable brain damage; a problem which the World Health Organisation has estimated to affect an astonishing 50 million people worldwide. Sadly, many of these cases occur in children whose mothers were iodine deficient in pregnancy, resulting in a condition of severely retarded brain development known as congenital hypothyroidism, or "cretinism". Even where such catastrophic consequences are avoided, iodine deficiency in childhood may also have serious effects on the developing brain, leading to low energy and motivation for learning, and measurable impairment of IQ scores.

Since 2001 the Food and Nutrition Board of the US Institute of Medicine (FNB) has prescribed a Recommended Dietary Allowance for iodine of 150 mcg for all individuals over 14, rising to 220 mcg for pregnant women and 290 mcg for those breastfeeding. Somewhat confusingly, however, an excessive consumption of iodine is also associated with a malfunctioning or enlargement of the thyroid gland, as well as mouth ulcers, headaches and gastric upsets, and the FNB therefore advises an upper safe limit for daily iodine consumption of 1,100 mcg for adults. Most people eating a conventional Western diet are unlikely to exceed this level.

With the possible exception of pregnant and breastfeeding women, people in the West who use liberal quantities of iodised salt as a regular seasoning are unlikely to need further supplements. But many commercial multi-mineral preparations contain iodine in reasonable quantities, usually in the form of potassium iodide, and whilst not perhaps strictly necessary, such supplementary doses will do no harm and may be regarded as a useful insurance policy given that, like all minerals needed by the body, iodine functions best in the presence of adequate supplies of all the others. And it should be particularly noted in this context that the effects of any deficiency of iodine may be intensified by any deficiency of selenium, iron or vitamin A.

by: Steve Smith
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