Iodine in biology
Iodine in biology refers to the essential role that the chemical element iodine plays in various biological processes. Iodine is a trace element that is vital for the normal growth and development of most life forms, especially mammals.
Role in biology[edit | edit source]
Iodine is an essential component of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which regulate various physiological processes in the body. These hormones are produced by the thyroid gland and are crucial for normal growth and development, as well as for the regulation of metabolism.
Iodine is also involved in the function of the immune system, where it acts as an antioxidant and a regulator of cell growth and differentiation. It is also essential for the normal development of the central nervous system in fetuses and young children.
Dietary sources[edit | edit source]
The primary dietary sources of iodine include seafood, iodized salt, and certain types of seaweed. Dairy products and grains can also be good sources of iodine, depending on the iodine content of the soil where the animals are raised or the crops are grown.
Iodine deficiency[edit | edit source]
Iodine deficiency is a serious health problem that can lead to goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland), hypothyroidism (reduced function of the thyroid gland), and cretinism (severe physical and mental retardation in infants and children). It is the most common cause of preventable mental retardation worldwide.
See also[edit | edit source]
Nutrition information of Iodine in biology[edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
