Benefits of iodine: what properties and what effects on health?

I’iodine is necessary for the production of hormone thyroid, T3 (triodothyronine) and T4 (tetraiodothyronine). The gland thyroid is located at the level of the neck, under the Adam’s apple. It is located just under the skin. It has the shape of a butterfly, with two lobes connected by a central part, theisthmus. Thyroid hormones are involved in the metabolism of almost all body tissues. They control the production of protein and tissue oxygen consumption. If the thyroid hormones are synthesized throughout life and this, from fetal life, these vary according to age, sex and physiological situations, in particular pregnancy andfeeding with milk.

What foods are high in iodine?

the table salt represents the main source of iodine in France. Many table salts are enriched with iodine, following the recommendations of international and health authorities (WHO, Unicef). On the other hand, only table salt can be fortified with iodine. Processed food products are not salted with salt fortified with iodine.

Foods of marine origin such as Piscesthe shellfish where the molluscs are very rich in iodine. Other foods can provide additional iodine: eggs, dairy products and cereals. On the other hand, certain foods limit the fixation of iodine by gland thyroid such as cassava, Butthe Yamcabbage, milletI’garlic or theonion.

What are our iodine needs?

Adults and children from the age of 10 should consume 150 micrograms of iodine daily according to the Dietary References for the population of ANSES (National Food Safety Agency). Needs are increased in pregnant women and breastfeeding women: 200 micrograms per day.

On the other hand, the needs are lower in children:

• 80 micrograms daily from 1 to 3 years;
• 90 micrograms per day from 4 to 6 years;
• 120 micrograms per day from 7 to 9 years old.

In athletes, particularly in the case of sweating important, the needs are equivalent to those of the pregnant woman : 200 micrograms per day.

What are the risks of iodine deficiency?

A deficiency iodine leads to thyroid dysfunction. Mental or psychomotor disorders may be secondary to anomalies of secretion thyroid hormones. A goiter may appear. This is a significant increase in volume of the gland.

In children, iodine deficiency is particularly harmful to their psychological, neurological and intellectual development, and this is irreversible. We then speak of cretinism. In pregnant women, even a mild iodine deficiency can have adverse effects on the development of the fetus. Indeed, during the first trimester of the pregnancythe baby’s thyroid gland is not yet formed and the baby depends on the mother’s thyroid hormones.

In developed countries, iodine deficiency is rather rare. In France, most children under 10 have enough iodine, thanks to a high consumption of milk and dairy products. On the other hand, many pregnant women are deficient, not particularly modifying their iodine intake during pregnancy.

At last, in the event of a nuclear accidenta person deficient in iodine will more easily fix the radioactive iodine present in theatmosphere that a person whose thyroid is saturated with iodine.

What are the risks of overconsumption of iodine?

Excess iodine intake will also lead to thyroid dysfunction, hyperthyroidism. The effects will be felt at the heart and kidney level.