2025 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2025-01-23 10:18
Vegans cannot get enough iodine because of their diet. And it is especially important, especially for pregnant women.
Iodine is found in iodized salt, seafood, eggs, dairy products, and some types of bread. It is used by the thyroid gland to help regulate metabolism and development, especially in babies and young children.
Its deficiency during fetal development and in early childhood is a leading cause of brain damage in much of the world.
A new study shows that some vegans can't get enough iodine from the foods they eat.
Despite the relatively small scale of the study, the observed group, which tends not to get enough iodine, is indicative. In the future, patients with similar problems can be consulted, scientists say.
Although most people in the United States are thought to get a lot of iodine through their diet, the American Thyroid Association recommends that pregnant and lactating women take iodine vitamins.
Low iodine levels can increase the risk of miscarriage and thyroid problems in mothers, in addition to the mental impairments in babies that can occur.
The study looked at 140 vegetarians, mostly women. Urine samples were taken from each of them, and the concentration of iodine in it was examined. According to the World Health Organization, the recommended range of iodine concentrations per liter of urine is between 100 and 199 micrograms, and between 150 and 249 micrograms per liter in pregnant women.
In the subjects, the average level was 147 micrograms in vegetarians and 79 microorganisms in those who avoid not only meat but also eggs and dairy products.
The aim of the study is to publicly announce the problem of iodine deficiency and to open the door for more research in this direction.
All women of childbearing age, and especially vegan women, should be encouraged to take iodine supplements to ensure that the fetus is exposed to extra iodine during development.
In any case, the additional intake of iodine should be consulted with a doctor, as too high levels can also cause thyroid problems.
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Iodine
Iodine is a mineral that is required by the body for the synthesis of thyroid hormones - thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Under normal circumstances, the human body contains approximately 20 to 30 mg of iodine, most of which is stored in the thyroid gland.
Foods Containing Iodine
Iodine is a chemical element that is essential for the production of thyroid hormones that regulate growth and metabolism. Iodine is a component of almost every living plant and animal. Standard measurements of iodine in food do not exist because iodine concentrations vary around the world.
Iodine Deficiency
Iodine is part of the group of mineral salts and unlike vitamins, fats and proteins, it has no nutritional value. At the same time, however, the human body could not exist without mineral salts. Thanks to them, the secretion of bile and gastric juice is stimulated, the regulation of metabolic processes is helped, the correct acid-alkaline state in the body is maintained, etc.
How To Know That You Suffer From Iodine Deficiency
Often in our hectic daily lives we forget to pay enough attention to the signals we receive from our body. One of these signals may be a lack of enough iodine in the body. In addition, the various nutritional deficiencies are not talked about or paid much attention to.
The Most Common Signs Of Iodine Deficiency
Some groups of people are at higher risk of iodine deficiency than others. Here's how to spot red flags. When you think of iodine (the chemical element that helps your body produce thyroid hormones and regulate energy), you're probably associating it with salt.