Can Seafood Prevent Goiter?
By: Mark MonteiroTotal Views: 61, Word Count: 524,
Goiter is a medical term used for a disease related to thyroid. It causes the swelling of a thyroid gland and surrounding tissues of the neck in humans. Though there are multiple causes for goiter, a well-known and commonly found one is the deficiency of iodine. Can it be prevented? And can seafood prevent goiter? The answer is affirmative.
Iodine deficiency is a common cause accounting for more than ninety percent of the goiter cases. Breathing and swallowing difficulties can be experienced when there is a swelling in the thyroid.
Why is Iodine so Important?
Iodine is one of the most important minerals that keep your brain in working condition. Iodine also helps to produce an energy which keeps us active for twenty-four hours. It has a pivotal role in the formation of hormones of a thyroid gland. Now, you can imagine what deficiency of iodine can do to your brain and body. If a brain does not get enough iodine to function, mental retardation can occur.
Iodine if consumed regularly can prevent goiter and can shrink the swelling in most of the cases. Women, especially during pregnancy time, are more prone to goiter. Today, more than 40% of the world's population is on the iodine deficiency map.
Sources of Iodine
Iodine can be found in numerous foods. Sea-foods and sea-vegetables are rich sources. If taken regularly, iodized salt can prevent the mishap. Nowadays, iodine is also available in tablets that can be consumed after consulting the physician. Eggs, milk, cheese, bread, soy milk, etc., are some of the easily available and largely popular edibles which are the best known sources of iodine.
How can Sea-Food Prevent Goiter?
Kelp, a sea-vegetable is a mega source of iodine. Hijiki, dulse, nori, etc., are some of the sea-vegetables that are high in iodine. Sea-water fish is one of the best known and daily consumed edibles in most of the countries, which is again a great source of iodine. It can be said that the people who consume sea-food are less prone to thyroid related diseases. The geography of a country and the availability of iodine also affect the people living in those countries. African countries, India, and Russia are among the mostly affected places on the world map because of the above stated reasons.
How Much Iodine should be Consumed?
Ideally an adult needs not more than 150 micrograms of iodine every day. Women may require more than that because of their extra needs. An iodine intake must be kept under the limits otherwise serious problems can occur and hypothyroidism or goiter may get worse.
There are multiple types of goiters and different treatments are in practice for them. If the goiter is painless and not noticeable, there is no need of treatment. If you have the basic knowledge of this disease, the symptoms can be recognized at an early stage. There must be a regular intake, only then can seafood prevent goiter.
A quick visit to your family doctor may help you avoid the misfortune. Treatment of goiters ranges from simple iodized tablets to complex medical surgeries.
About the Author
Dr. Mark Monteiro is graduated from the Hazard University and done his MBA from the he University Of Illinois College Of Medicine. Currently he is working as general physician at Elmhurst Loyola Center for Health. For over 15 years he has been a pioneer in the field of physician health. He has contributed to the treatment of many diseases like- ASTHMA, TUBERCULOSIS, HIV, HEPATITIS AND ITS TREATMENT
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