According to the American Thyroid Association, if you don't have enough iodine in your body, you won't be able to produce enough thyroid hormone. Thus, iodine deficiency can cause thyroid enlargement, hypothyroidism, and intellectual disabilities in infants and children born to iodine-deficient mothers. According to Michael B. Zimmermann, your thyroid gland requires iodine to produce thyroid hormones, which have many important responsibilities in your body. But Iodine is not produced by the body, so it must be obtained through diet. For most adults, the recommended daily intake (RDI) of iodine is 150 mcg per day. The requirements are more stringent for women who are pregnant or nursing.
So, what are the foods that can help prevent iodine deficiency disorders? According to Kaitlyn Berkheiser of Healthline, seaweed is an excellent source of iodine. The amount it contains, however, varies depending on the species. Kombu kelp contains the most iodine, with some varieties containing nearly 2,000% of the daily value in one gram. Dairy products are the next best source of iodine, especially in American diets. The iodine content of milk and dairy varies greatly depending on the iodine content of cattle feed and the use of iodine-containing disinfectants during milking.
The use of iodized salt is the next source of iodine. Iodized salt is salt that has been treated with a small amount of sodium or potassium iodide. Iodized salt is necessary for good health, but it should be consumed in moderation. Iodine is a trace mineral found in milk, seafood, grains, and eggs. To combat iodine deficiency, people mix iodine with table salt. Shrimp is high in protein and a variety of nutrients, including iodine. Accordingly, three ounces of shrimp provide roughly 23% of the daily value. Iodized salt is necessary for good health, but it should be consumed in moderation. Iodine is a trace mineral found in milk, seafood, grains, and eggs. To combat iodine deficiency, people mix iodine with table salt. Tuna contains less iodine than lean fish but is still a good source. Three ounces of tuna contains about 11% of the daily recommended amount. Furthermore, eggs are a good source of iodine. The yolk contains the majority of the iodine in eggs. One large egg provides approximately 16% of the daily recommended amount.
Indeed, Iodine is an important mineral, but it is only found in a few foods. As a result, many people worldwide are at risk of developing a deficiency. Iodine-rich foods include seaweed, dairy, tuna, shrimp, and eggs. Furthermore, most table salt has been iodized, making it simple to incorporate iodine into your diet. The foods listed in this article are not only high in iodine, but they're also very nutritious and simple to incorporate into your daily diet.
ZDS DMO II Marie-Claire Gaas, RND
References:
1. 9 Healthy Foods That Are Rich in Iodine
Written by Kaitlyn Berkheiser on February 2, 2018
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/iodine-rich-foods
2. Iodine deficiency
Michael B Zimmermann
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19460960/
3. Iodine Deficiency
