Eating foods rich in iodine helps the thyroid to manage metabolism, detoxification. Iodine is a trace element that is naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. Iodine is mostly obtained from food sources particularly vegetables grown on iodine rich soil. Download the old style pdf version of this food fact sheet. Jul 06, 2018 other common food sources of iodine include grains and eggs 10,18. Iodine sources and iodine levels in pregnant women from an. The iodine content of plants and vegetables is dependent on the environment and soil in which they are grown. Development of databases on iodine in foods and dietary. Iodine is a nutrient essential for thyroid hormone th synthesis. Two of the highest sources of iodine are cod and shrimp they contain 198 and 70 micrograms per serving, respectively. An insufficient supply of thyroid hormones to the developing brain may result in neurocognitive impairment 1925.
It took me a short time into my holistic practice of medicine to realize that what i was taught about iodine was incorrect. Jan 17, 2018 the iodine content of plant crops is affected by the content of iodine in the soil i. Iodine deficiency in the fetus is the result of iodine deficiency in the mother. In addition to offering essential minerals, calcium, and vitamin d, milk is a good source of iodine. Iodine is a chemical element with the symbol i and atomic number 53.
Iodine is often found in seaweed and can be mined in the form of sodium iodate and sodium periodate. Iodine in diet food sources in individuals who are overweight or obese can reduce health risks, increase fitness, and may delay the onset of diabetes. Iodine i odine, a trace element found in soil, is an essential component of the thyroid hormones involved in regulating the bodys metabolic processes. Iodine food fact sheet british dietetic association uk. The iodine protocol includes 200 400 mcg of selenium and in some cases requires atp cofactors. If iodine intakes from iodized salt fall because of public health efforts to reduce salt intake, milk and dairy products may become increasingly important sources of dietary iodine in the future. Milk and dairy products are the main sources of iodine for most people. It is important to be aware that most milkalternative drinks e. The wia members involved in the production of iodine and its derivatives iofina, calibre chemicals, sqm, and ajaysqm group explain where iodine comes from and where it is used.
Iodine is an essential mineral thats vital to the proper functioning of the thyroid. Iodine is needed for the cells to change food into energy. Sep 18, 2017 iodine rich foods can be easily incorporated into your daily diet routines as the trace mineral is found in many food sources suitable for all diets, including vegetarian and vegan. Extensively referenced, it includes data on dietary sources of iodine, goitrogens, the effects of iodine deficiency throughout the lifecycle, the pathophysiology of iodine deficiency, as well as strategies for control and monitoring of the iodine deficiency disorders, such as iodized salt and iodized oil. Iodine is found naturally in some foods and is also added to salt that is labeled as iodized. Iodine helps make thyroid hormones, which help keep cells and the metabolic rate the speed at which chemical reactions take place in the body healthy. Exceedingly rich in iodine, fish are a primary source for this trace mineral. High iodine intakes are well tolerated by most healthy. Iodine is considered one of the bodys vital nutrients, responsible for regulating thyroid function, supporting a healthy metabolism, aiding in growth and development, and preventing certain chronic diseases like cancer. Dietary supplements and iodized salt are also sources of iodine. Iodine is a trace mineral and a nutrient found naturally in the body. Iodine, iodine metabolism and iodine deficiency disorders. Iodine reduces thyroid hormone and can kill fungus, bacteria, and other microorganisms such as amoebas. Iodine in food and dietary supplementcomposition databases.
Iodine is an element that is needed for the production of thyroid hormone. In women, it ensures breast and ovarian health, as well. The heaviest of the stable halogens, it exists as a lustrous, purpleblack nonmetallic solid at standard conditions that melts to form a deep violet liquid at 114 degrees celsius, and boils to a violet gas at 184 degrees celsius. Sea vegetables, including kelp, wakame, and nori, are incredible iodine rich foods. The iodine content in nori varies between 1643 mcg per gram, or about 1129% of the daily value 8, 9. Good sources of iodine include bread made with iodised salt and any type of seafood, including seaweed. Iodine is an essential component of the thyroid hormones thyroxine t4 and triiodothyronine t3. Iodinesupplemented animal feeds are potentially the main contributors to the iodine content of milk 6, 7 and eggs. Iodine deficiency iodine deficiency remains a major issue in other parts of the world, including parts of europe, africa and asia. Thyroid hormones regulate many important biochemical reactions, including protein synthesis and enzymatic activity, and are. Other foods have small amounts of iodine from natural sources but contain larger amounts due to direct fortification e. Uses, side effects, interactions, dosage, and warning. Iodine is an essential trace mineral that helps the brain function properly. The consequences of iodine deficiency are well documented, and the global strategy to correct iodine deficiency through universal salt iodization usi has remarkably improved the health of populations worldwide.
Iodine is a trace element that is required for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, which are necessary for adequate growth, development, and metabolism. The median salt added at the table by the subjects was 1. Iodine food and agriculture organization of the united nations. This edition supersedes any previously released draft or final profile. The thyroid gland iodine connection was known just a few years following the discovery of iodine in seaweed in the 1811. The disaster continues in medical school, i was taught that iodine deficiency was a thing of the past.
Iodized salt is the main source of iodine in our diet. Brownstein feels iodine is the most misunderstood nutrient. Baumann proposed that iodine is the active element in the thyroid gland. The thyroid hormones t3 and t4 contain the iodine molecule, and these hormones regulate your bodys metabolism. However, it sublimes easily with gentle heat, resulting in a widespread misconception. Foods high in iodine include nori seaweed, seafood, and fortified salt. The iodine deficiency disorders authoritative source on. It may result in metabolic problems such as goiter, sometimes as an endemic goiter as well as cretinism due to untreated congenital hypothyroidism, which results in developmental delays and other health problems. Bread and milk were identified as significant sources of iodine in the swiss diet as. For more information about drm, please visit our support pages. The recommended daily allowance rda for iodine is 150. As a treatment, iodine helps with goiters enlargements of the thyroid gland and high thyroid levels such as in thyroid storm. Milk products such as frozen yogurt, ice cream, and cheese are also great iodine sources. Intentional iodine in diet food sources is the loss of total body mass as a result of efforts to improve fitness and health, or to change appearance through slimming.
List of 21 foods high in iodine content for hypothyroidism. Includes a variety of protein foods, including seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, legumes beans and peas, nuts, seeds, and soy products. Iodized salt, which is readily available in the united states and many other countries. For instance, iodine comes mostly from seawater so the greater the distance from the sea the lesser the iodine content in the soil. Pdf 1 a spatial survey of iodine and its longlived isotope, 129i, in 40 rivers of the usa, canada, and western europe, reveals that the ratio of. Fortification of foodgrade salt with iodine for the prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders 1 executive summary iodine is a trace element that is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. Women who are planning to get pregnant, are pregnant or breastfeeding need extra iodine and should see their doctor for advice about their individual health needs. In the united states, salt is iodized with potassium iodide at 100 parts per million. A toxicological profile for iodine, draft for public comment was released in september 2001.
The balance of iodine in the thyroid gland is tricky, and both too much and too little iodine can slow down the production of hormones. The general government standard for fortification of salt with iodine is 7677 micrograms of iodine per gram of salt. These hormones are absolutely critical to human health, helping to control energy production and utilization in nearly every cell of the body. These hormones are involved in growth, development and control of metabolic processes in the body.
Unfortunately, many adults dont consume enough iodine rich foods and suffer from an iodine deficiency. To ensure adequate iodine levels but avoid the risk of iodine excess through milk and dairy, it is crucial to reduce the wide variations in milk iodine. Food sources iodized salt, for the most part, is the main source of iodine in our diet. Table salt usage is decreasing and with our new dietary guidelines encouraging less table salt consumption, we are at risk of inadequate iodine intake. Fruits and vegetables, which contain iodine, although the amount depends on the iodine in the soil where they grew and in any fertilizer that was used. One serving of kelp provides multiple times the amount of daily iodine needed. If you do not have enough iodine in your body, you cannot make enough thyroid hormone. Iodized salt is a fortified form of table salt that has been processed to contain significant amounts of iodine. The availability of iodine in foods differs in various regions of the world. When it comes to vegan sources of iodine, the ocean is king. Iodine deficiency is a lack of the trace element iodine, an essential nutrient in the diet. Fruits, vegetables, and bread also provide small quantities of iodine. The pdf and epub for this title are copyprotected and must be downloaded and read using adobe digital editions or software that is compatible with adobe drm. Sea food and eggs had high iodine content, but these foods were not favored by subjects studied.
Many foods can be high in iodine if the soil that they were grown in is rich in. Iodine deficiency is an important global health issue, especially for fertile and. Seaweeds such as wakame, nori or mekabu, which are widely used in some asian cultures for making soups, salads and condiments, are rich sources of iodine. In the uk, the recommended iodine intake for adults is 140 micrograms per day. Iodine food fact sheet british dietetic association. Seaweed such as kelp, nori, kombu, and wakame is one of the best food sources of iodine, but it is highly variable in its content table 2. Most fish are able to extract and concentrate iodine from seawater. Therefore, the dietary requirement of iodine is determined by normal thyroxine t4 production by the thyroid gland without stressing the thyroid iodide trapping. The amount of iodine found in other meats and vegetables depends on the area where the food was grown or raised. Iodine can also be found in plant foods, such as cereals and grains, but the levels vary depending on the amount of iodine in the soil where the plants are grown. A total of 77 mcg are found in one gram of iodized salt.
Some milkalternative drinks are fortified with iodine so it is important to check the product label. Iodine is found naturally in some foods and is also added to salt that is. The consequence of iodine deficiency during pregnancy is impaired synthesis of thyroid hormones by the mother and the fetus. Deficiencies can lead to significant health consequences across the age spectrum, including goiter enlarged thyroid, impaired mental functioning, and reduced productivity. The quantity of iodine depends on environmental factors like use of fertilizers and soil concentration. There is no easy way of knowing how much iodine is in plant foods. Iodized salt and seafood are the major dietary sources of iodine. Only 8 years after this discovery, iodine was used effectively in the treatment of simple goiter. Toxicological profiles are revised and republished as necessary. As a member of the ocean, cod gains iodine from the seawater environment. Iodine is a chemical element essential for the production of thyroid hormones that regulate growth and metabolism. During pregnancy, iodine is essential for the correct development of the babys brain.
Iodine is the fourth halogen, being a member of group 17 in the periodic table, below fluorine, chlorine, and bromine. Among dietary supplements, prenatal vitamins are the most likely to contain iodine, as its inclusion in any dietary supplement is voluntary. Good dietary sources include fish, shellfish and dairy products. The body does not make iodine, so it is an essential part of your diet. Iodine status and consumption of key iodine sources in the u. The amount of iodine found in food sources is small. The mineral content of foods is greatly affected by the soil from which it grew, and thus geographic location is the primary determinant of the mineral content of foods. Prevent this dangerous deficiency by eating the right amount of iodine rich. Iodine fact sheet for consumers office of dietary supplements nih. As a result, dont go overboard enjoy small servings of sea vegetables, or sprinkle them into other meals, like. Mar 31, 2020 like breads and cereals, which are the major sources of iodine in american diets. The iodine deficiency disorders authoritative source. Bread made with iodate conditioners, milk, and iodized salt were the primary sources of dietary iodine in their sample.
It is very important to include high amounts of iodine rich foods in your diet as the body cannot synthesize this mineral. Food sources of iodine sources of iodine include seafood, table salt and bread. Every vegan needs a reliable source of iodine in their diet. This food fact sheet will tell you more about iodine, food sources of iodine and how. It is important to avoid having too little or too much iodine. However, the amount of iodine in foods is not listed on food packaging in the u. Iodine deficiency in europe world health organization. Iodine is found in a range of foods, the richest sources being fish, milk, and dairy products. Humans need iodine for normal thyroid function, and for the production of thyroid hormones. Iodine content in the soil varies from region to region and subsequently foods grown in different regions vary in iodine content as well. A specific kind of iodine called potassium iodide is.
Table 1 iodine sources and concentrations origin chemical form typical concentration. However, many iodized salts dont actually end up containing this much iodine. Dietary sources of iodine article pdf available in american journal of clinical nutrition 144. Individuals in the united states can maintain adequate iodine in their diet by using iodized table salt, by eating foods high in iodine, particularly dairy products, seafood, meat, some breads, and eggs, and by taking a multivitamin containing iodine see below. Urinary iodine concentrations were described in the whole population and in subgroups according to their frequency of intake of milk, fish, eggs. Chatin noted that goiter and cretinism are rare in geological zones rich in iodine and frequent where iodine is in short supply, and that goiter can be prevented by iodine supplementation.
Iodine is a key component of the hormones made in the thyroid gland. Iodine can also be found in plant foods, such as cereals and grains, but the levels vary depending on the amount of iodine in the. In australia all bought breads except organic bread have iodised salt. Iodine is needed for the production of thyroid hormones. Oct 23, 2018 iodine deficiency and diets low in iodine rich foods are associated with an increased risk for thyroid disease, but there are also potential thyroid and hormonal risks associated with taking too much iodine, especially from supplements that contain iodine in the form of iodide. An iodine deficiency can cause symptoms such as fatigue, high cholesterol, lethargy, depression, and swelling of the thyroid gland. You can get recommended amounts of iodine by eating a variety of foods, including the following. Although it seems counterintuitive, research suggests that. The thyroid gland is responsible for managing growth and metabolism.