Iodine deficiency is a lot more common than you might think. 60% of women of reproductive age are deficient in iodine and iodine levels in the US alone have dropped by over 50% in the past 40 years, according to an NHANES study.
Iodine deficiency has increased so much because of a lack of iodine in our diet, popular diet trends, and our increased exposure to halogens (these compete with iodine). The RDA is also very low—this might prevent disease but it doesn’t support health.
❗️RDAs FOR IODINE
Adult male and female: 150mcg
Pregnancy: 220mcg
Breastfeeding: 290mcg
What about iodized salt? Does this mean I should consume salt that contains iodine? Iodized salt actually isn’t a great source of iodine.
Dr. David Brownstein cites an interesting study in his book, Iodine Why You Need It Why You Can’t Live Without It:
“In 1969, researchers looked at the bioavailability of iodine in salt versus bread. Two groups of people were studied; one group ingested a measured amount of iodine in salt, the other group ingested a measured amount of iodine in bread. Both subjected groups were estimated to ingest approximately 750mcg of iodine. By ingesting 750mcg of iodine, the expected serum levels of iodine would be 17.2mcg/L. However, the iodized salt group only had a serum level of 1.7mcg/L versus 18.7mcg/L in the bread group. This information would suggest the iodine in iodized salt is only 10% bioavailable.”
The other issue with refined salt is that it has had all of its minerals removed and has been exposed to toxic chemicals.
Here are some great resources if you want to learn more about iodine:
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