The most iodine-rich foods are marine foods such as mackerel or mussels for example. However, there are other iodine-rich foods, such as iodized salt, milk and eggs. It is also important to know that the iodine content of vegetables and fruits is very low.
Iodine is important for the production of thyroid hormones, which are important in terms of growth and development, as well as for the control of certain metabolic processes in the body. Iodine deficiency can lead to a disease called goiter, as well as a hormonal deficiency, which in the most severe cases can lead to cretinism in children. For this reason, it is essential to include iodine in the diet.
- Iodine function is to regulate hormone production by the thyroid gland.
- Iodine is used to maintain the balance of metabolic processes of growth and development of the brain and nervous system from week 15 of gestation to 3 years.
In addition, iodine is responsible for regulating various metabolic processes, such as energy production and the consumption of accumulated fats in the blood. Therefore, it is thought that iodine may have an antioxidant action in the body, but more studies are needed to confirm this relationship.
The following table shows some iodine-rich foods, the main ones being:
Certain foods such as carrots, cauliflower, corn, cassava and bamboo shoots reduce the body’s iodine absorption, so if you have goiter or a low intake of iodine, these foods should be avoided.
In addition, there are also nutritional supplements such as spirulina that can influence the thyroid gland, so if the person has thyroid disease, it is recommended to consult a doctor or nutritionist before taking any type of supplement.
The following table shows the daily recommendation of iodine at different stages of life:
An iodine deficiency in the body can cause a goiter, in which there is an increase in thyroid size, because the gland is forced to work harder to capture iodine and synthesize thyroid hormones. This can cause difficulty swallowing, lumps in the neck, shortness of breath and discomfort.
In addition, iodine fat can also cause thyroid dysfunction, which can cause hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, conditions in which hormone production is altered.
In children, iodine deficiency can cause goiter, cognitive difficulties, hypothyroidism or cretinism, as neurological and brain development can be severely affected.
Excessive iodine intake can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, lips and bluish fingers.