Should I consider taking iodine dietary supplements if I am worried about perchlorate?
If you eat a healthy diet, taking iodine dietary supplements is not necessary to protect you from the health effects associated with perchlorate at the levels present in water and foods. In fact, the U.S. population on average consumes adequate levels of iodine. Sources of iodine include milk and dairy products, grains, and seafood, as well as dietary supplements such as multi-vitamins. Although many foods containing iodine also contain low levels of perchlorate, the amount of perchlorate consumed from eating these foods as part of a balanced diet would not be expected to exceed the reference dose. Iodized table salt is a source of iodine, but salt should be used sparingly, in accordance with the dietary guidelines for sodium intake. Iodine is necessary for a baby’s normal brain development, so it is particularly important for pregnant and nursing women to get adequate amounts of iodine. Many over-the-counter and prescribed prenatal supplements contain iodine. For infants, breast milk
