Vitamin Supplements

Copper

This metal is particularly important because of its relationship to iron. Only a very small amount of copper is ever needed by the body. It helps in the formation of hemoglobin, acting like a catalyst in this respect. All foods contain some copper, sufficient to meet the normal needs of the body. Anyone who uses a wide variety of foods will not be deficient in this mineral.

Iodine

Iodine is the most spectacular of all the minerals needed by the body. Normally we have only a few grains of it in our whole system. But this is no indication of its importance. All kinds of things happen when the iodine gets out of balance in the body.

Most of the iodine we absorb from our food is quickly picked up by the thyroid gland and changed into thyroxin. This is a powerful hormone, which has important functions all over the body. It regulates all the activities of the various organs and directly controls the rate at which a person grows. People who have too little thyroxin tend to feel the cold more than they should. They are easily fatigued and often have vague aches and pains, as well as anemia.

In more advanced cases of this lack of normal thyroid activity, the individual may show little or no interest in anything. The eyelids may be puffy and the facial expression dull and disinterested. The hair may be coarse, dry, and brittle. There may be swelling of the tongue, and the speech may be hoarse and slurred. This is the typical appearance of a person with hypothyroidism in an advanced state.

When this disease occurs in a baby or a young child, the picture is pathetic. The child is mentally retarded. Physically, he is a dwarf with eyes set far apart, coarse features, thick lips, a protruding tongue, and flat nose. Such unfortunate children can now be helped, provided a correct diagnosis is made early enough to do some good. The sooner the treatment is started, the better the chances of making a full recovery. All of this is due to a lack of normal function of the thyroid gland. When it occurs in babies and young children, it means that there was not enough iodine in the mother’s diet during pregnancy. When the trouble comes later in life, it may follow the surgical removal of the thyroid gland, or perhaps some inflammation of the gland.

Much more dramatic is the case when there is too much activity in the thyroid gland. This may arise from tumors of the gland or from general enlargement of the thyroid. This is referred to as goiter. There is usually a swelling low down in the front of the neck. The whole body is disturbed by the abnormal secretions of the thyroid. The heart beats rapidly, and the patient is extremely nervous and jittery and may suffer from heart failure. The eyes may be prominent and staring. There may be a marked loss of weight in spite of the fact plenty of food has been eaten.

Years ago this was a common disease in midland areas, such as around the Great Lakes and the Rocky Mountain regions. Today, thanks to iodized salt, these conditions are far less common. But they still occur. Such patients need special treatment and should be under the direct care of a well-trained physician.

Some people who think that they are deficient in thyroid try to treat themselves by using thyroid pills. There is some danger in this. Thyroid tablets contain one of the most potent hormones known in medical science. They should be used only on orders from a physician. There are accurate tests available for determining the condition of the thyroid gland. One is known as the protein-bound iodine test. All it requires is a little blood from one of the veins in the arm. Another test is the iodine uptake test, which measures the rate that iodine is absorbed by the thyroid gland when a specific quantity is injected into the vein.

Even though there is little iodine in the body, it is very important to the well-being of the body as a whole. When iodine is missing from the diet, all kinds of troubles may arise, troubles that may continue for several generations. When a girl develops a simple goiter in the neck, it does not mean that she has to undergo surgical operation. All that may be needed is a little iodine to bring the functions of the thyroid gland back to normal.

Prevention is not difficult today. Iodized salt will usually prevent the trouble before it starts. This is probably the most reliable source of iodine. Other sources include sea foods and vegetables that are grown near the seacoast. The need for this mineral is greatest during the years of childhood and adolescence. Pregnancy also increases the demand for iodine, especially in areas where the soil is deficient. If our foods are selected from a wide area, they will usually meet our needs.

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