Iodine deficiency is a lack of the trace mineral iodine in the body. According to the World Health Organization, iodine deficiency is the leading cause of preventable brain damage and mental retardation worldwide. Because your body cannot make iodine, it is imperative to consume adequate amounts of iodine in your diet. In the United States, iodized salt is the greatest source of iodine in the diet.
History
Prior to the 1920s, iodine deficiency was common in many areas of the United States, including the Great Lakes and Appalachian, and Canada. Because of this, many Americans suffered from an iodine deficiency disease called goiter, which is characterized by enlargement of the thyroid gland. As a solution to this problem, American manufacturers began to add iodine to salt. According to the World Health Organization, salt was chosen because it is consumed regularly, widely available and the cost to iodize it is low. In 1993, universal salt iodization was adopted, lowering the rates of iodine deficiency, especially in the United States. The American Thyroid Association notes that approximately 40 percent of the global population still remains at risk of iodine deficiency, because of lack of access to iodized salt.
Prevalence
Iodine deficiency occurs in women more often than men. Iodine deficiency is also more common in pregnant women and adolescents. If a pregnant woman develops iodine deficiency, her baby may be born with neurological damage and severe mental retardation.
Symptoms
Goiter is a common symptom of iodine deficiency. When the body does not have enough iodine, the thyroid gland works extra hard to try to produce thyroid hormone. This leads to a visible enlargement of the thyroid gland and, in some cases, the development of nodules.
Iodine deficiency can also cause hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, muscle cramps, leg swelling and muscle pain.
Prevention
To prevent iodine deficiency, it is important to consume adequate amounts of iodine in your diet. Adults require 150 micrograms of iodine per day, whereas children require 90 to 120 micrograms daily, depending on age. Iodized salt, which is the greatest contributor of iodine in the diet, contains approximately 400 micrograms of iodine per teaspoon. According to "Nutrition and You" by Joan Salge Blake, naturally occurring iodine in foods is low, usually between 3 to 75 mg per serving. Foods that contain iodine include cod, sea bass, haddock, kelp and dairy products. Plants grown in soil that contains iodine also contribute iodine to the diet. Consult your doctor regarding the amount of salt in your diet, as consuming too much sodium, a component of salt, can lead to serious health consequences.
References
- World Health Organization: Iodine Deficiency Disorders
- Linus Pauling Institute; Iodine; April 2003
- Columbia Health Services; What's Up with Iodized Salt - Is It Better for You Than Regular Salt?; September 13, 2002
- American Thyroid Association; Iodine Deficiency; 2008
- Colorado State University Extension; Sodium in the Diet; J. Anderson et al; June 17, 2011
Member Comments