The thyroid gland is an organ in the front of the neck that regulates metabolism and normal growth and development throughout the rest of your body. It does this by producing two hormones, known as T3 and T4, which the thyroid releases into the blood. Endocrine gland is the more technical term for any organ, such as the thyroid, that has the primary purpose of creating hormones. In order to perform this function, the thyroid needs iodine from your diet. Milk is an excellent source of iodine and is beneficial to proper thyroid function.
Iodine Intake
Iodine is a trace mineral that the thyroid gland incorporates into the two hormones. Keeping iodine intake within a specific range is absolutely essential to proper health. If iodine intake is too low, then you can develop hypothyroidism — the underproduction of thyroid hormones — or the enlargement of the thyroid gland. Excess iodine can also block the production of thyroid hormones and may increase the risk for an autoimmune disease, in which your own immune system attacks the thyroid gland.
Iodine Content in Milk
The recommended dietary allowance for an average adult is 150 micrograms of iodine per day. Pregnant and breastfeeding women need as much as 220 and 290 micrograms, respectively. However, the iodine content in a standard 8 oz. serving of milk can vary considerably depending upon the amount of iodine in the cow's feed and the nutritional status of the cow at the time of milking. A 2004 analysis of 18 different milk brands by researchers from Golestan University Medical School in Iran and Boston University School of Medicine found that iodine content can range between 88 and 168 micrograms per serving. Therefore, milk alone can supply most or all of the necessary intake.
Role of Milk
For infants, breast milk is the main source of iodine in the diet. Iodine is particularly necessary during these developmental years. Without it, varying degrees of growth and developmental abnormalities, such as mental retardation, can develop. As the human palate becomes more varied, milk no longer becomes an essential source of iodine. Breads, eggs, saltwater fish, shellfish, iodized table salt, soy products and other dairy products are all capable of supplying iodine in your diet.
Safety
Since the tolerable upper limit for iodine intake is 1,100 micrograms per day, milk poses little danger of overwhelming the thyroid gland with iodine, unless paired with iodine supplements and other high iodine foods such as seaweed. It's rare for diet alone to supply more than 2,000 micrograms per day. Most American diets contain less than 1,000 micrograms of iodine.
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