A low iodine diet restricts iodine intake, which is important for human survival. It may be necessary for those with thyroid-related problems, and involves avoiding processed foods, iodized salt, and shellfish. It is usually short-term for thyroid cancer patients and long-term for those with hyperthyroidism.
A low iodine diet is a type of eating plan that restricts a person’s intake of iodine, which is an important element essential for the survival of every human being. Fortunately, most people get appropriate amounts of iodine without trying because it’s abundant in table salt, which most processed foods are full of. Certain health conditions, such as thyroid-related problems, may make it necessary for a person to limit their daily iodine intake. Doctors often place people who have thyroid cancer or hyperthyroidism on the low-iodine diet.
Foods that are safe to eat on the low-iodine diet include fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats. Anything with a label stating no salt added is typically acceptable. A good rule of thumb for following the low-iodine diet is to avoid overly processed foods because they almost always contain massive amounts of salt. A person on a low-iodine diet does not necessarily have to avoid salt completely; You just need to limit your intake of iodized salt and sea salt, which contains iodine. Most supermarkets sell non-iodized salt in the same section as iodized salt and sea salt.
In addition to iodized salts and most processed foods, it may be necessary to eliminate most shellfish on the low-iodine diet. This is because, like sea salt, fish that come from the sea are often high in iodine. Other foods that may contain iodine are milk and eggs. Milk and other dairy products generally contain variable amounts of iodine because it is present in livestock feed and in some ingredients that people use to clean udders and milking equipment. Egg whites are also considered acceptable because they don’t normally contain iodine, but yolks usually do. It may also be beneficial for a person following this diet to check the iodine content in vitamins or other supplements they take regularly.
The low iodine diet should not always be long term. People with thyroid cancer are usually on this type of diet for a few weeks. The purpose of this is usually to prepare them for a radioactive iodine scan. Consuming small amounts of iodine in the weeks before the scan usually helps the body get rid of much of its iodine, which can make the scan more effective when it is performed. People with hyperthyroidism may be required to follow a low-iodine diet for a prolonged period of time to prevent the thyroid from producing too much thyroid hormone.
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