Evidenced–based medicine has shown that not having enough iodine in one’s diet can be detrimental to one’s health.
11% of the US population is classified to be iodine deficient. Despite the availability of supplementation, simple supplementation may not be enough to resolve this problem.
The intake of iodine has significantly dropped between 1974 and 1991. During the period 1974-1982, the average daily intake of iodine for2 year olds was approximately 621ug. From 1982- 1991, there has been a drop of 248ug in the average daily intake.
Contributing factors include:
- Post - 1982, the baking industry limited its use of iodine based caking agents and used bromide based agents as an alternative
- Most processed foods do not now use iodised salt
- Reduction in levels of iodine in milk because of changes in treatment methods
- Reduced use of salt in cooking and iodised table salt
- Fluoridation of water
A diet lacking in iodine can lead to iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs). IDDs can lead to:
- Goter
- Mental imbalances e.g. depression, anxiety
- Mental retardation (in extreme cases, and particular in children of mothers who have had an iodine deficiency)
- Fetal hypothyroidism
- Autism
- Slow brain function
- Slow metabolism
- Lowered immune function
- Fibrocystic breast disease
See part 2 on how to get enough iodine into your diet !
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