Yes, we have the problem here in New Zealand of iodine defiency. The content of iodine in our soils is low, as is selenium. Could this be why we have one of the highest cancer rates in the world? Despite our clean/green image and environment? One must wonder! The essential elements are low in our soils and the impact on health I gather can be profound.

So in my ignorance, I gave up a source of iodine in iodised salt, and used natural salt as an alternative. I had nothing to fall back on in regards to gaining iodine from foods I was consuming. Over time, I was alarmed at the deterioration, which caused worse symptoms than normal. I knew something was wrong. So testing discovered severe lack of iodine.

I went back on iodised salt as a test and with my multi vitamin/mineral supplement powder which contained iodine, I picked up within a day or two. It was a very speedy improvement. So I knew how much I desperately needed iodine. I do not advocate the use of table salt as a rule, as there are other ways of getting enough iodine. But it does go to show that it is a very necessary element and natural salts do not appear to contain enough to cover a person living in a country that is already low in iodine.

I think now they have or are going to replace bromide with iodine again in bread here in new Zealand because of the alarming rise in iodine deficient illnesses increasing in new zealanders. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/food/news/article.cfm?c_id=206&objectid=10498883