Iodine Deficiency: A Growing Concern in the 21st Century
What is Iodine?
Iodine is a trace element found in seawater and in some soils, mostly in coastal areas. A French chemist accidentally discovered it in 1811 when an experiment with seaweed ash created a purple puff of vapor. The name iodine comes from a Greek word meaning violet-colored.
The Importance of Iodine
Later that century, scientists began to understand that people need certain amounts of iodine to regulate their metabolism and stay healthy, and that it’s crucial in the development of brain function in children.
The Rise and Fall of Iodine Fortification
At the beginning of the 20th century, goiter was very common in children in certain inland parts of the United States, especially in a "goiter belt" that stretched from Appalachia and the Great Lakes to the northwest United States. Some of the kids were unusually short, deaf, intellectually stunted, and had other symptoms of a syndrome once known as "cretinism."
Public health experts realized they couldn’t solve the problem by feeding everyone seaweed and seafood, but they learned that iodine can essentially be sprayed on table salt. Iodized salt first became available in 1924. By the 1950s, more than 70% of U.S. households used iodized table salt. Bread and some other foods also were fortified with iodine, and iodine deficiency became rare.
The Decline of Iodine Fortification
But diets changed. Processed foods now make up a large part of the American diet, and though they contain a lot of salt, it’s not iodized. Leading bread brands no longer add iodine. In the case of the 13-year-old boy, he has mild autism and was a fussy eater, mostly only eating specific brands of bread and peanut butter.
Consequences of Iodine Deficiency
Researchers have increasingly been reporting low levels of iodine in pregnant women and other people, raising concerns about an impact on their newborns. And there is also a very small, but growing, number of reports of iodine deficiency in kids.
"This needs to be on people’s radar," said Dr. Monica Serrano-Gonzalez, a Brown University doctor who treated the boy in 2021 in Providence, Rhode Island.
How Much Iodine is Enough?
Though iodine consumption is falling overall, most Americans are still getting enough through their diet, experts say. But doctors worry that’s not the case for women and children, who are most vulnerable to iodine deficiency.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical societies recommend that all pregnant and breastfeeding women get 150 micrograms of iodine each day. You can get that from one-half to three-quarters of a teaspoon of iodized table salt.
Conclusion
Iodine deficiency is a growing concern in the 21st century, with researchers reporting low levels of iodine in pregnant women and other people, and a small but growing number of reports of iodine deficiency in kids. It’s essential for people to be aware of the importance of iodine in their diet and to take steps to ensure they’re getting enough.
FAQs
Q: What are the consequences of iodine deficiency?
A: Iodine deficiency can lead to goiter, a swelling of the neck, and in severe cases, intellectual disability and deafness.
Q: Can you get too much iodine?
A: Yes, it’s possible to get too much iodine, but it’s rare in the United States.
Q: How can I get enough iodine?
A: You can get enough iodine from iodized table salt, bread, and other fortified foods. Pregnant and breastfeeding women can also take supplements containing iodine.
Q: Are there any risks associated with iodized salt?
A: No, iodized salt is safe and regulated by the FDA.
