What Is the Importance of Dietary Iodine?
Dietary iodine is important for thyroid function. In people with prolonged iodine deficiency, not only is the thyroid at risk, but so is brain development. People who do not get enough iodine in their diets can develop intellectual disabilities, and iodine deficiency is the leading preventable cause of intellectual disabilities worldwide. Many nations have required iodine supplementation of food supplies in order to keep their populations healthy. Natural sources of iodine include fish, seaweed, sea salt, and plants that grow in soil enriched with iodine, such as soil fertilized and mulched with seaweed and fish. People can also receive dietary iodine through supplementation, as seen with salt, and it is also present in some medications. For healthy adults, the daily recommended amount is 150 micrograms. People who eat a balanced diet and have access to iodized salt usually meet this dietary requirement without the need for additional supplementation.
