Iodine, which cannot be produced by the body, is taken from the outside through food. Iodine, which has an important role in the development of the baby in the mother's womb, is an indispensable nutritional source for health at all stages of life. The amount of iodine to be taken daily varies according to age and the need of metabolism. While seafood is a good source of iodine, eggs, meat and dairy products also contain iodine.
What is iodine?
Iodine is a useful element that is not produced by our body and can be taken with food. It can only be taken orally through foods containing iodine or with added iodine. The half-life of iodine is normally about 10 hours, in cases of iodine deficiency this period is extended. The body of a healthy adult contains approximately 15-20 mg of iodine, 70-80% of which is stored in the thyroid gland.
What are the functions of iodine in the body?
Iodine is an essential element in the production of thyroid hormone, the development of the fetus (baby in the womb) and the newborn baby, and is an indispensable nutrient source for health at all stages of life. Iodine is a key component in the production of thyroid hormones, including thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroid hormones are important for the body to use energy optimally, stay at the required temperature, and function properly for the brain, heart, muscles and other organs. Thyroid hormones, and therefore iodine, are essential for fetal growth, bone maturation and brain development. According to WHO (World Health Organization), insufficient iodine intake is the most common preventable cause of mental retardation.
What is the daily iodine requirement?
The amount of iodine to be taken daily may vary according to age and need. However, the figures determined by the world health organization are as follows;
Infants 90 μg/day (0-59 months)
Children: (6-12 years): 120 micrograms/day
Children: (>12 years): 150 micrograms/day
Adolescents and adults: 150 micrograms/day
Pregnant and lactating women: 250 micrograms/day
What are the harms of iodine deficiency?
In the case of iodine deficiency, thyroid hormone synthesis decreases and the thyroid gland enlarges. Since thyroid hormone is a necessary hormone for all metabolic activities in the body, thyroid gland slowdown due to advanced iodine deficiency can have very serious consequences. Iodine deficiency is especially important during pregnancy and newborn period. The most severe disease caused by severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy is cretinism, which inhibits physical and mental growth. However, even mild to moderate maternal iodine deficiency during pregnancy can lead to low intelligence in children. For this reason, many associations around the world, such as the Turkish Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism, recommend that all pregnant and lactating women use iodized salt and additionally take iodine supplement containing at least 100-150 micrograms of iodine per day.
What are the symptoms of iodine deficiency?
Symptoms of iodine deficiency can be listed as follows;
Swelling in the front of the neck, or goiter, is the most common symptom of iodine deficiency. It occurs when the thyroid gland has trouble producing thyroid hormones due to iodine deficiency.
In addition, since iodine contributes to the regeneration of hair and skin cells, hair loss and skin dryness may occur in case of its deficiency.
Since thyroid hormones affect the regulation of the menstrual cycle in women, this period may be heavy or irregular in women with iodine deficiency.
What are the harms of iodine excess?
Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of goiter and nodule formation in the world. It is very important that there is a preventable cause. As the iodine deficiency in a population is corrected, the frequency of goiter decreases. On the other hand, it is known that in some countries (such as Brazil, Chile, Japan, Ivory Coast), excess iodine has a goitrogenic effect because iodine causes a decrease in the synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones. Therefore, although iodine supplementation is very important, it is necessary to avoid excessive iodine intake at the same rate. Especially during periods when the thyroid gland, called hyperthyroidism, works fast, iodine intake may be stopped by the physician during the treatment in order not to accelerate the production of hormones. Sometimes, an overdose of iodine can cause the nodules of patients with thyroid nodules to become active, causing excess hormone secretion.
What foods is iodine found in?
Since iodine is an element that cannot be produced by the body, it must be taken from outside.
Seafood is a good source of iodine. Because the oceans are rich in iodine. However, it is an expensive and limited resource for our country.
Although the iodine content is lower than most seafood products, eggs, meat and dairy products are also richer in iodine than most plant foods.
The main source is iodized refined salt. Unless otherwise stated by the doctor, absolute iodized refined salt should be used. Salts such as rock salt and 'gourmet' salts are generally not recommended.
In order to ensure adequate iodine intake in infants in the period of initiating complementary foods, it should be noted that supplementary foods/foods made at home and sold in the market contain absolute iodine.
Common dietary sources of iodine can be listed as follows;
Iodized refined table salt
Cheese
saltwater fish
Cow milk
Seaweed (including kelp, red seagrass, and nori)
Egg
shellfish
frozen yogurt
soy milk
soy sauce
Which salt should be used?
The results of the multicenter study conducted for iodine deficiency screening in Turkey between the years 1997-1999 revealed the extent of iodine deficiency in Turkey. Since the 1950s, the use of iodized salt has become widespread. With the mandatory iodization of table salt, the problem has been solved to a great extent in urban centres, but it is thought that the problem persists especially in rural areas. It does not recommend the use of salts such as rock salt, gourmet salts, which are unrefined, whose content is not clearly known or other additives are added naturally or artificially. Unless otherwise stated by the doctor, absolute iodized refined salt should be used.
How should iodine be used in pregnant women?
Although iodine concentration measurement in random urine sample is recommended in pregnant women for community screening, individual measurements are not significant. Although studies on pregnant women in our country have been limited and limited until recently, there is still a serious deficiency in pregnant women, although iodine is sufficient in many regions of our country. It is necessary to ensure that pregnant women receive adequate iodine support.
What can iodine deficiency cause during pregnancy?
Iodine deficiency during pregnancy can have effects on the development and delivery of the baby. Severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. It can also cause congenital abnormalities such as cretinism, a severe and irreversible type of mental retardation. In studies conducted among pregnant women in our country, iodine deficiency was found in a significant proportion of pregnant women despite using iodized salt. It should be decided which iodine supplements may be needed during pregnancy and lactation, if necessary, by looking at the urine iodine concentration and by discussing it with your doctor.
As a result;
All people in Turkey should use iodized refined salt. Patients with Hashimoto's disease, nodular thyroid disease, and hypothyroidism, which are especially common, are also included in this generalization. Iodine intake may be restricted by doctors in some diseases that progress only with rapid functioning of the thyroid gland or with an inflammatory attack. Adequate iodine intake is vital for the mental and physical development of the whole society from infancy.
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