Eating For Health

Years ago, a deficiency of iodine was common in many parts of the US.   Then Iodized salt became available and that solved the problem.  Now, however, pregnant women, and others may have low levels of iodine, and some doctors are reporting kids with iodine deficiency.  What is iodine and why do we need it? Iodine is a mineral our body needs for many functions and one our bodies can’t make but we can get it from foods we eat.      Our thyroids need iodine for our metabolism helping our bodies turn the food we eat into the energy we need every day.   Iodine also helps our thyroid regulate our:           Body temperature           Brain development and mental activity           Breathing           Heart Health           Digestion During pregnancy and after the baby is born, iodine helps the babies bone and bra...

Everyone has a salt shaker in their home.   For years this shaker was filled with Morton’s salt.   Everyone used Morton’s salt.   Then sea salt seemed to be popular.   Now the rage seems to be “pink salt”.   It has been around for a while. Apparently Trader Joe’s started selling pink salt in 2009.   If you read the label, most pink salt seems to branded as coming from the Himalayas in Pakistan.   However, one source said it comes from just south of the actual Himalayas in Pakistan.   There are lots of health claims for using sea salt and pink salt in place of Morton’s salt.   What salt should people use?   What is the benefit of using Morton’s Salt? One reason to use Morton’s salt is to get enough iodine. If you look at a package of Morton’s salt you will see the words: “Iodized salt.   This salt supplies iodide, a necessary nutrient.”     Why is iodine added to Morton’s salt?   Someone asked the Mayo Clinic , “I...