Iodine is important for thyroid function and brain development. Prolonged iodine deficiency can lead to intellectual disabilities. Iodine can be found in fish, sea salt, and iodized salt. The recommended daily allowance is 150 micrograms. Iodized salt has prevented many cases of iodine deficiency, but it remains a problem in some developing countries. Charities are involved in increasing the distribution of dietary supplements and healthy foods to regions in need.
Iodine in the diet is important for thyroid function. In people with prolonged iodine deficiency, not only the thyroid is at risk, but also brain development. People who do not get enough iodine in their diets can develop intellectual disabilities, and iodine deficiency is the leading preventable cause of intellectual disabilities worldwide. Many nations have required iodine supplementation of food supplies to keep their populations healthy.
Natural sources of iodine include fish, algae, sea salt, and plants that grow in iodine-enriched soil, such as fertilized soil mulched with algae and fish. People can also receive dietary iodine through supplementation, as seen with salt, and it is also present in some medications. For healthy adults, the recommended daily allowance is 150 micrograms. People who eat a balanced diet and have access to iodized salt generally meet this dietary requirement without the need for additional supplements.
In the body, dietary iodine enters the intestine, where it is absorbed. It reaches the thyroid and is used in the production of thyroid hormones. Low iodine levels cause the inability to produce enough hormones. The body responds to low hormone levels by producing thyroid-stimulating hormone. Over time, this causes the thyroid to swell. Meanwhile, hormone deficiency leads to problems with brain development. Historically, people with intellectual disabilities due to iodine deficiencies were said to have ‘cretinism’, and this term is still used clinically in some regions.
Getting enough iodine in the diet is essential for thyroid health and brain development. Although people only need small amounts of this mineral, if they experience prolonged deficiencies, it can have a permanent impact on their lives. People can also develop health problems as a result of excessive iodine intake, a concern only at very high levels.
The widespread adoption of iodized salt has prevented many cases of iodine deficiency throughout the world. Salt was chosen for this supplementation because it is cheap and widely used. Chronic iodine deficiency remains a problem in some developing countries where iodized salt is not widely available and where people may not have access to the foods they need to eat a balanced diet. Charities concerned with global health issues are involved in increasing the distribution of dietary supplements and healthy foods to regions in need, including refugee camps, harsh environment areas, and impoverished communities. These food distributions ensure that people get the dietary iodine they need, along with other key nutrients and minerals.
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