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• Worried About Iodine Deficiency?

  Iodine, a non-metallic mineral, is required by humans in trace amounts for proper development and growth. An iodine deficiency leads to an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter), slowed metabolism and weight gain, as well as other symptoms of hypothyroidism such as fatigue and intolerance of cold. It can also cause neurological, gastrointestinal and skin abnormalities.

  Humans need at least 150 mcg of iodine per day. Daily intakes of up to 1,100 mcg daily for adults and children over four are considered safe.

  You can get iodine naturally by eating saltwater fish and seafood, kelp and other sea vegetables as well as vegetables grown in soils that contain iodine. Dairy products also provide iodine if the animals graze on plants growing in iodine-rich soils. If you are eating a healthy, balanced, varied diet, you’re probably getting enough iodine. However, if you eat mostly processed foods, don’t rely on them for your iodine requirements: the salt processed foods contain is not iodized. Incorporate more of the whole foods mentioned above to boost your iodine intake. You can also use unrefined (gray) and refined (white) sea salt – they do not have the additives such as aluminum compounds to prevent caking that commercial salts do, and sea salt contains trace amounts of iodine.

• Walnuts Are Winners

  If you’re looking for an all-natural, high-quality source of antioxidants, one of your best bets is walnuts. A new analysis has found that a handful of walnuts has nearly twice the antioxidants as an equivalent amount of any other nuts, and that the antioxidants in walnuts are two to 15 times as potent as vitamin E. The analysis, by Joe Vinson, Ph.D., of the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, ranked walnuts above eight other varieties of nuts including almonds, pecans, pistachios, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, cashews, macadamias and peanuts. In a presentation to the National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society in March 2011, Vinson noted that nuts in general are packed with high quality protein as well as vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Even though nuts are high in calories, Vinson said only about seven walnuts a day are needed for the health benefits documented in earlier studies.

  Start enjoying walnuts’ health benefits now, and try this savory Garlic Walnut Dip. For a sweet, walnut-studded finish to a meal, try my Carrot Cake recipe.

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Originally posted 2011-07-09 17:30:06. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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