According to the American Thyroid Association, roughly 40 percent of people around the world are at risk of iodine deficiency. And while we wouldn’t think that iodine deficiency would occur in the United States, it does.
According to Life Extension magazine, experts have had a hunch about this concept for years. Nearly a decade ago, researchers examined 88 samples of table salt containing iodine. And what they found can only be described as astonishing.
Researchers discovered that not even half of the samples provided the amount of iodine needed for the to perform optimally. Even scarier, we’re consuming less salt in general, which means we’re getting even less iodine. In fact, Life Extension magazine reports that iodine deficiency has increased more than fourfold over the past 40 years. And experts say that almost three-fourths of healthy adults may be at risk.
What Is Iodine?
Iodine is essential when it comes to producing thyroid hormone. However, the body can’t make it on its own. As a result, it must be obtained through food and water.
Those in the know say that 90 percent of iodine comes from what we eat, with the other 10 percent coming from water. When it comes to food choices, fish and green, leafy vegetables are good sources of iodine. It can be found in milk, meat and cereals. And, of course, salt contains iodine. This is where most of our iodine comes from.
When it comes to iodine deficiency, there are a number of risk factors to take into consideration. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements, you fall into a risk group if you don’t consume iodized salt. Iodized salt is the most common way that iodine deficiency is avoided. Worldwide, just 30 percent of households do not consume iodized salt. However, with Americans consuming less salt to boost cardiovascular health, we’re getting less iodine in general.
Women who are pregnant are at high risk for iodine deficiency. In fact, healthcare providers say that getting enough iodine is one of the keys to a healthy pregnancy. When you’re expecting, you need approximately 50 percent more iodine than when you aren’t pregnant.
You are also at risk if you consume foods that are grown locally and you live in a place where the soil is iodine deficient. This is most common in mountainous regions and river valleys in other parts of the world. For example, iodine deficiency is common in the Andes and South and Southeast Asia.
Yet another risk occurs if you don’t consume enough iodine in your diet, and at the same time, eat foods containing goitrogens. Goitrogens inhibit the body’s ability to use iodine. You can find goitrogens in soy. Plus, they can be found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower. That said, this is not usually a concern in the United States.
Iodine deficiency can cause numerous health problems. The first of these is that your body might not be able to produce enough thyroid hormone, causing the thyroid to become enlarged. It can lead to hypothyroidism, which can increase the risk of miscarriage in pregnancy.
Further, a lack of iodine can be very dangerous to fetuses. According to the NIH, fetuses need iodine in the womb, and infants need it too. This means that you’ve got to take steps to boost iodine levels.
For moms who are breastfeeding, iodine comes through breastmilk. So a breastfeeding mom’s iodine levels will affect how much iodine breastmilk contains. Many organizations recommend that both pregnant and breastfeeding women supplement with iodine. Be sure to choose a supplement that contains iodine; experts say that just half of the prenatal vitamins on the market have iodine in them.
Iodine is also essential for children. In severe cases, iodine deficiency can affect brain and the nervous system development, and mild iodine deficiency may impair neurological development.
Iodine deficiency also can lead to fibrocystic breast disease. When this occurs, breasts develop painful lumps. While this health issue isn’t dangerous, it can be frustrating. This is most often seen in reproductive years; however, it has been seen in menopausal women. To treat this, doctors sometimes recommend high doses of iodine.
Iodine Deficiency: Signs and Symptoms
According to the American Thyroid Association, the first symptom of iodine deficiency is a goiter. In fact, iodine deficiency is said to be the most common reason that people develop enlarged thyroids and goiters. If you develop a goiter, you may feel as if you’re choking. Plus, you may experience difficulty swallowing and breathing.
Iodine is necessary for thyroid hormone production, so when levels are low, hypothyroidism can occur. Though this issue isn’t often seen in America, it is a global issue. In fact, iodine deficiency is said to be the most common reason for hypothyroidism in the world.
It’s also important to know that you can get too much iodine. And interestingly, the signs are similar to those of iodine deficiency. When you have too much iodine, goiters can develop. Further, those with too much iodine may develop thyroid inflammation and thyroid cancer. And too much iodine can cause irritation of the mouth, throat and stomach as well as vomiting, diarrhea, weak pulse and even coma.
The best way to avoid iodine deficiency is to take precautions. Use salt that contains iodine, and take supplements if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. The American Thyroid Association says that you should make sure that your daily multivitamin contains 150 mg or more of iodine. If you do suspect iodine deficiency, talk to your doctor as soon as possible about this health concern.