Why Most People Are Iodine Deficient and Do Not Know It

Part 1 of 3: The Iodine Series

Your body requires iodine for every single cell to produce energy. Iodine is an essential component of thyroid hormones, which regulate many important biochemical reactions including protein synthesis, enzymatic activity, and metabolic rate. [1] Your thyroid depends on it, your brain depends on it, as thyroid hormones are required for proper central nervous system development. [1,2] Your hormones depend on it and your body cannot manufacture iodine on its own. This makes iodine an essential nutrient you must get from food or supplementation. [3]

Most people walking around today are iodine deficient and completely unaware. They wake up exhausted, and  they experience brain fog throughout the day. They gain weight and cannot pinpoint why. Their skin feels dry, their mood shifts for no apparent reason, and they assume this is just normal aging or stress.

Your body is remarkably intelligent. It sends you clear signals when something foundational is missing. Fatigue, brain fog, sluggishness, weight gain, and poor mood are all your body’s way of communicating that a critical nutrient is absent. Your body already knows what it needs. The question is whether you are paying attention or not.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Iodine is an essential nutrient your body cannot produce. Every cell requires the thyroid hormones T3 and T4, which are made from iodine, to generate energy. [1]
• Common signs of deficiency include fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, dry skin, poor mood, and weakened immunity, and most people dismiss these as “normal”
• Pregnant women, children, people living far from the ocean, and those eating diets high in goitrogenic foods face the highest risk. [4]

Iodine deficiency is one of the most overlooked root causes of fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, and hormonal imbalance. Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of preventable intellectual disability in the world. [1,6] An estimated two billion individuals globally have insufficient iodine intake. [2] Understanding your iodine status is a foundational step in your healing journey. The free 6 Secrets to Total Body Detox course provides practical guidance for supporting your body’s restoration.

HOW YOUR BODY IS DESIGNED TO HEAL

Your thyroid is a bow-tie shaped gland in your neck that serves as the master regulator of your metabolism, energy, and hormonal balance. This gland absorbs iodine from your blood and creates two critical hormones: T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). T3 contains three molecules of iodine. T4 contains four. Every single cell in your body requires these hormones to produce energy. [8]

When iodine levels are sufficient, this system operates beautifully:

• Your metabolism functions at an optimal rate
• Your brain receives the fuel it needs for clarity and focus
• Your energy levels remain steady throughout the day
• Your hormones communicate clearly across your endocrine system
• Your immune system stays strong and responsive
• Your skin, hair, and nails maintain their natural vitality

Thyroid hormones regulate several essential physiological processes including growth, development, metabolism, and reproductive function. [9] This is your body’s intelligent design at work. Your thyroid simply needs the raw materials to fulfill its purpose.

THE HIDDEN ROOT CAUSE

In my clinical experience spanning more than three decades, I have observed iodine deficiency becoming increasingly common. Several factors contribute to this.

Declining Iodine in the Food Supply

Since 1924, table salt in the United States has been iodized. This made a significant difference, and supplementation in iodine-deficient regions even increased the general IQ of the population. [5] And still, the U.S. government documented a measurable decline in American iodine levels between the 1970s and the 1990s. [1] Most foods simply lack meaningful iodine content.

Who Faces the Greatest Risk

Certain groups are especially vulnerable to iodine deficiency: [1,4,6]

• Pregnant women: Iodine requirements increase significantly because the developing baby depends on it for brain and bone development. Production of T4 increases by approximately 50% during pregnancy. [1]
• Children: Proper brain development requires adequate iodine. Chronic deficiency has been shown to reduce IQ by 12 to 13.5 points. [5]
• People living far from the ocean: Ocean-based foods remain among the richest natural iodine sources
• People eating high amounts of goitrogenic foods: Foods like cassava, millet, and certain cruciferous vegetables can reduce iodine absorption by the thyroid. [4]
• People avoiding seafood and dairy: These have traditionally been primary dietary iodine sources

RESTORING YOUR IODINE LEVELS NATURALLY

STEP 1: RECOGNIZE (Identify the Deficiency)

Pay attention to your body’s signals. Common signs of low iodine include brain fog, poor mood, low energy, weight gain, fatigue, weakened immune function, and in women, breast heaviness. [1] An enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) is another clear indicator. [7]

STEP 2: NOURISH (Restore Iodine Through Clean Sources)

Several plant-based foods provide iodine naturally. Seaweed varieties like wakame, nori, dulse, kombu, and hijiki are among the richest sources. Produce grown in iodine-rich soil also provides meaningful amounts. Clean, bioavailable nascent iodine supplementation supports consistent daily intake.

STEP 3: BALANCE (Support Your Thyroid Holistically)

Iodine works in partnership with selenium, which is critical for converting inactive T4 into active T3. Selenium also protects the thyroid from oxidative stress. [4] Vitamin B12 supports energy production when thyroid function is compromised. These nutrients work as a team.

STEP 4: PROTECT (Sustain Optimal Levels)

Maintain consistent iodine intake through clean food sources and supplementation. Begin with the free 2-Day Liver Cleanse PDF to support detoxification pathways that work alongside your thyroid. Filter your water to reduce chlorine and fluoride exposure. Choose organic produce to minimize synthetic chemical burden.

LIFESTYLE & PRACTICAL ACTIONS

Immediate Action Steps:

• Incorporate seaweed into your weekly meals: wakame in soups, nori as wraps, dulse flakes on salads
• Filter your drinking water to remove chlorine, fluoride, and contaminants that compete with iodine at thyroid receptor sites
• Read labels on personal care products and household items for brominated compounds
• Support your liver’s detoxification pathways through clean eating and periodic cleansing

Daily Habits for Sustained Iodine Support:

• Morning: Hydrate with pure distilled water and take iodine supplementation on an empty stomach for optimal absorption
• Throughout the day: Choose whole, organic foods rich in minerals and antioxidants
• Evening: Prioritize restful sleep to support your thyroid and endocrine recalibration

COMING IN PART 2: This is just the beginning. In Part 2 of this series, I take you deeper into how iodine powers your thyroid, your hormones, and your energy,  and why iodine deficiency creates a cascade of endocrine system malfunctions that most practitioners never trace back to the root cause.

“Health starts when toxins stop.” Dr. Edward Group, DC

The power that made the body heals the body. Your healing begins now.

With truth and love, Dr. Edward Group, DC Global Healing Institute

CONTINUE YOUR LEARNING: FREE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Free Resources to Support Your Journey:

• Discover the 6 Secrets to Total Body Detox course for a complete understanding of how to support your body’s natural cleansing systems
• Download the free 2-Day Liver Cleanse PDF to guide you in activating your primary detoxification pathway and support your endocrine system
• Watch Group’s YouTube channel for ongoing education about iodine and natural health

REFERENCES:

[1] National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. “Iodine – Health Professional Fact Sheet.” https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-HealthProfessional/

[2] Zimmermann, M.B. “The role of iodine in human growth and development.” Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology, 2011; 22(6):645-52. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21802524/

[3] National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. “Iodine – Consumer Fact Sheet.” https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-Consumer/

[4] Triggiani, V. et al. “Role of iodine, selenium and other micronutrients in thyroid function and disorders.” Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders Drug Targets, 2009; 9(3):277-94. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19594417/

[5] Farebrother, J. et al. “Iodine and Iodine Deficiency: A Comprehensive Review of a Re-Emerging Issue.” Nutrients, 2022; 14(17):3474. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9459956/

[6] World Health Organization. “Iodine Deficiency.” https://www.who.int/data/nutrition/nlis/info/iodine-deficiency

[7] Delange, F. “The disorders induced by iodine deficiency.” Thyroid, 1994; 4(1):107-28. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8054857/

[8] National Academies of Sciences. “Dietary Reference Intakes: Iodine.” NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK222323/

[9] Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University. “Iodine.” Micronutrient Information Center. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/iodine

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER:

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for educational purposes and represents Dr. Edward Group’s professional insights gained through more than three decades of clinical practice as a Doctor of Chiropractic. His specialization in natural healing, detoxification protocols, and the body’s innate healing capacity has been developed through working with thousands of individuals worldwide. The protocols and principles shared here reflect his clinical observations and expertise in supporting the body’s natural restoration processes. Individual experiences vary significantly based on numerous factors including current health status, toxic burden, consistency with cleansing protocols, environmental exposures, lifestyle choices, and each person’s unique biological healing timeline. This information empowers you to make informed decisions about your health journey.