Deficiency of this mineral could stop you from losing weight

If you find yourself not losing weight despite sweating it out at the gym, then you may need to take a deeper look at your food intake.

Certain nutrients are required for the body. Fats, carbs and vitamins are required in specific quantities but we often overlook like mineral in our diet. Recent studies have shown that we don’t get nearly enough iodine in our diet.

Putting on weight, brittle nails and hair, feeling low on energy and an enlarged thyroid gland is a sign that we have iodine deficiency. “Recently, I experienced health issues that were quite unusual for me,” nutritionist Jessica Sepel wrote on her blog.  “I had puffiness, brain fog, low energy, low thyroid function, interrupted sleep and fluid retention. None of it made sense until I discovered that I had low iodine levels.”

Jessica also explained that iodine is important as it helps our thyroid function effectively. “The thyroid regulates many bodily processes such as breast health, hormonal balance, energy, sleep and immune function,” she said. If the thyroid gland doesn’t function properly, it leads to weight gain due to a condition called hypothyroidism, said DailyMail.

Eating too much of vegetables like cauliflower, and broccoli can result in iodine deficiency. “These veggies contain goitrogens, which are substances that interfere with iodine absorption and can lead to thyroid issues.” If gut health is compromised, then your body is not able to absorb minerals like idone well, despite consuming good amounts of it.

Milk and dairy are the main source of iodine for several people, and upping the intake of these foods can restore iodine levels in your body. Fish and shellfish are also a great source with prawns and white fish being especially good. Prunes, beans, and whole grains are also a good source of iodine.

“Since I found out about my low iodine, I have been supplementing with iodine under the guidance of my doctor,” Jessica said. “During this time, I noticed a huge improvement in my energy, sleep and thyroid function.”

In recent years, the Indian government has made it compulsory for all common salt to be iodised. This ensures that our body doesn’t lack iodine as salt is something we consume of a daily basis.