Iodine: Benefits and How Does it Help in Hair Growth?

Iodine is a mineral that is necessary. To function effectively, your body needs it but is unable to produce it on its own. You must consume it instead.

Most people consume enough iodine through their diets. It is mostly found in dairy products, seafood, and seaweed. It can be found in large quantities as iodized salt.

It also exists in the soil of the Earth, albeit the composition varies from region to region. As a result, produce’s iodine concentration varies.

Iodine is necessary for thyroid health. It is necessary for your thyroid to create hormones that are vital to metabolism.

Hypothyroidism, which means that your thyroid isn’t functioning as well as it should, can result from a deficiency and cause problems including fatigue, joint discomfort, and infertility.

Due to its function in healthy bone and brain development, the mineral is also crucial for pregnant women and young children.

Iodine is a mineral that is commonly obtained through diet. However, some people require a supplement to make sure they fulfil their needs.

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What Is Iodine?

Iodine is a micronutrient that is important for the development of all of your body’s organs and tissues in addition to helping your hair grow.

This necessary mineral aids in the production and control of thyroid hormones. Iodine deficiency prevents the thyroid gland from producing thyroid hormones, which causes the hair follicles in your body to shrink.

Iodine deficiency causes dry, brittle hair, thinning hair, and hair loss.

Why Your Body Needs Iodine

Iodine is a trace element that occurs naturally in your body and plays crucial roles in maintaining regular bodily functions.

Your cells use iodine in the process of converting food into energy, and your thyroid needs a regular supply of iodine for normal function. Iodine is necessary for appropriate cellular activity.

Iodine can be consumed through pharmaceuticals, but you can also get your recommended daily amount through iodine-rich foods.

Some dairy products, iodized salt, some fish (including cod, sea bass, haddock, and perch), kelp, and land-dwelling plants growing in iodine-rich soil can all provide you with the daily recommended amount of iodine.

The Food and Nutrition Board states that individuals can safely consume up to 290 micrograms per day while nursing or pregnant women can have as little as 150 micrograms.

Selenium is another trace element that is commonly mentioned among the many others that your body needs to function normally. It’s essential to proper function at tiny dosages.

Benefits Of Iodine For Hair Growth

You might be surprised to learn that your hair is significantly impacted by how well your thyroid is functioning. This is so that the thyroid gland can generate the hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine, which control how quickly your hair grows.

So, any thyroid condition brought on by a lack of iodine might result in hair that is dry and coarse. One of the most frequent reasons for hair loss in women is due to this.

Hair loss can be a symptom of severe hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels). The problem of hair shedding known as telogen effluvium, which causes diffuse non-permanent hair loss, is associated with this ailment.

However, female pattern hair loss, commonly known as female androgenic alopecia, has been connected to this illness (AGA)

Excellent antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activities are possessed by iodine. It has the ability to combat any infections that might be growing around your hair follicles and resulting in hair loss.

Iodine treats a number of hair issues, including brittle hair and hair loss. Iodine is said to prevent premature greying, strengthen hair from the roots, and make hair thick, according to anecdotal evidence.

How Iodine Deficiency Affects Hair Growth?

Iodine deficiency has an effect on the general health of hair. Low iodine levels in hypothyroidism can result in dry, coarse hair, which in turn leads to breakage and hair loss.

The strength of the roots can be impacted by high thyroid hormone levels, whilst low levels might hasten hair ageing.

Get some iodine into your diet and hair as soon as possible should be your next step.

How To Use Iodine For Hair Growth

Use of white (decolorized) iodine is the quickest and most efficient technique to stop hair loss brought on by iodine shortage. It is said to have had success curing alopecia-related bald patches.

It is also asserted to stop hair loss by eradicating any fungal infections that can be weakening your hair and eroding your hair follicles.

1. Application Of Iodine

As usual, wash your hair, then let it air dry.

Apply some white iodine to the regions that are balding when your hair and scalp are totally dry.

To achieve optimum absorption, gently massage it into your scalp.

White iodine should be diluted in a few tablespoons of water before usage if it irritates your scalp when applied straight.

To see results, use this application repeatedly each day. On regions where hair loss is excessive, you can also use white iodine twice daily.

2. Foods Rich in Iodine

To properly resolve your hair problems, you must address your body’s iodine shortage, despite the fact that white iodine can help heal hair loss and promote hair growth to some level.

Iodine must be added to your diet in order to achieve that. Here are some foods that are high in iodine that you can start eating!

Sesame Seeds

Codfish

Dairy Products

Dried Seaweed

Garlic

Oysters And Shrimp

Iodized Salt

Corn, pineapple, navy and green beans, strawberries, cranberries, bananas, prunes, turkey, Himalayan crystal salt, baked potatoes, rhubarb, tuna fish, and watercress are some more sources of iodine.

Why Iodine Deficiency Is Bad For You

Iodine insufficiency is something you definitely do not want. A goitre, often known as an enlarged thyroid gland, or hypothyroidism can result from a lack of iodine (medical conditions where the thyroid is unable to make enough thyroid hormone).

Women are more likely than men to suffer from these conditions. Lack of iodine in children’s diets can cause cretinism, an increasingly uncommon genetic disorder that impairs both physical and mental development.

According to the National Library of Medicine, iodine poisoning is extremely uncommon, although in some cases, an excess of iodine can result in hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

Conclusion

Iodine shortage can cause hair follicles to shrink, resulting in dry, unmanageable hair. Iodine is therefore essential for preserving the health of your hair and reducing hair loss.

Iodine is a crucial mineral needed for hair growth due to its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral effects.

Iodine can be used for hair growth topically, as supplements, or through foods like sesame seeds, dairy products, and iodized salt that are high in iodine.

Before boosting your consumption, you should speak with your doctor and get checked for iodine insufficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Iodine Should You Take Per Day?

The amount of iodine is greatly influenced by the user’s age, gender, and health, just like with many other vitamins and nutrients.

For most adults, doses of 150 mcg per day seem to be safe. Women who are pregnant or nursing need larger amounts of iodine.

Consuming Too Much Iodine Cause Hair Loss?

Iodine overdose cannot result in hair loss. But it can also result in more severe issues like enlarged lymph nodes, internal bleeding, goitre, inflammation of the thyroid gland, and thyroid cancer.