Rootless
There’s one oft-overlooked mineral quietly working behind the scenes to make the thyroid hormones that keep your energy steady and your brain on point. It’s not sexy, but it’s essential. Meet iodine.
Even though it doesn’t get much airtime, iodine plays a central role in hormone production that regulates metabolism, growth, and brain development. Keep reading for the lowdown on what it is, why it matters for hormone health, and how to make sure you’re covered.
WHAT
Iodine is an essential mineral, a mineral that your body needs to function properly but can’t make on its own. This means you need to get it through food or supplements. Although it’s believed to be a potent antioxidant that may defend against cancer, its main job involves producing important thyroid hormones that affect organ, muscle, brain, and central nervous system function, as well as your overall metabolism.
HOW TO GET IT
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 150 mcg daily for most adults, 220 mcg for pregnant women, and 290 mcg for breastfeeding women.
Foods high in iodine:
- Seaweed
- Fish (like cod and tuna)
- Shrimp
- Dairy
- Eggs (especially the yolk)
- Iodized salt
Not sure how to get your daily dose of iodine? Here’s an easy, food-first hack that makes it effortless:
Rootless Daily Bites
Price: $39.60
Powered by the Rootless™ Proprietary Seaweed Blend (dulse, sea moss, sea lettuce, bladderwrack, and sugar kelp) and made with just five whole-food ingredients—dates, almonds, seeds, quinoa, and seaweed—these chewy bites are an easy, food-first way to get your daily dose of essential iodine.
Bonus: They also deliver 40+ micronutrients and antioxidants, including selenium, which works with iodine to support thyroid function and hormone balance.
WHY
Your thyroid (that butterfly-shaped gland in your neck) directs traffic for your whole hormonal system. The hormones it makes influence how steady your energy feels, how your gut behaves, how clear your skin looks, and more.
Life stage matters, too. Pregnancy and breastfeeding increase iodine needs, since you’re supporting both you and baby. During perimenopause and menopause, when hormone shifts can make energy levels and moods feel unpredictable, steady thyroid support becomes even more valuable. Plant-based diets can also make iodine trickier to come by.
Even if you’re not deficient, being mindful helps keep your thyroid—and your hormones—on track.
*It should go without saying, but we’re saying it: Always check in with your healthcare provider before adding anything new to your stack.*
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