Facts about iodine

chinacdc.cn | Updated: 2023-03-21

Many people think that the recent increase in the occurrence of thyroid disease is directly related to insufficient consumption of iodized salt.

How should iodized salt be properly taken? What are the dangers of iodine deficiency? The following guide may help you.

What is iodine?

Iodine is an inorganic element ubiquitous in nature in the form of iodine compounds and is the main raw material for the synthesis of thyroid hormones in the human body. Thyroid hormones participate in the metabolism of the human body, help maintain the normal function of all organs, and promote the growth and development of the human body, especially the brain.

How much iodine does the human body need?

There's a very low amount of iodine in the human body: about 15-20 milligrams for a healthy adult, which is equivalent to the weight of half a drop of water. Normally, a daily intake of 120-600 micrograms of iodine is enough to meet the body's needs.

What are the dangers of iodine deficiency?

Iodine deficiency can be very harmful.

The prenatal period and infancy (0-3 years old) are critical for brain development. Iodine deficiency in these two periods may cause cretinism, deafness and hearing loss in severe cases.

Insufficient iodine nutrition in pregnant women is likely to induce fetal defects, even miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth and congenital malformations.

For adults, iodine deficiency may lead to hypothyroidism, fatigue, a lack of concentration, and decreased work efficiency.

Is additional iodine necessary for people in coastal areas?

At present, widespread iodine deficiency is rare in most parts of China. But don’t be too careless, because the risk remains, even in coastal areas.

Water and soil in most parts of the country are iodine-deficient, especially in mountainous areas, hills, valleys, desert or fluvial areas. Iodine deficiency in the external environment is hard to change.

Without supplements, the iodine stored in the human body can last at most three months, so long-term supplements are necessary.

The most effective way is to consume iodized salt. Foods high in iodine, such as kelp, seaweed, sea fish, sea shrimp and eggs, can also be taken into consideration.

Of course, residents in areas with iodine-rich water should pay attention to avoiding excessive intake. People who have developed thyroid-related diseases should follow the doctor's advice and eat foods with appropriate iodine levels.

Supplementing or not?

Both deficient and excessive intakes of iodine are likely to result in abnormal thyroid hormones and thyroid functions.

There is still no direct evidence to show that iodine intake is associated with the occurrence of thyroid related diseases like thyroid cancer.

In recent years, the incidence of thyroid conditions has increased in major countries around the world, primarily microscopic cancer cases with a diameter of less than 1.0 cm, regardless of whether people's iodine intake increases, decreases, or remains stable.

The intake of iodine should be appropriate and vary from place to place, from person to person, and from time to time. Patients with thyroid diseases must follow the doctor's advice to eat a balanced diet.