The Benefits and Risks of Iodine Supplementation During Pregnancy and Lactation
Experts agree that iodine is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in fetal and infant skeletal and central nervous system development. However, evidence regarding iodine supplementation during pregnancy and lactation is limited, and more research is needed to determine the benefits and risks. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at iodine supplementation, including the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for different age groups, potential dietary sources, and the risks of excessive intake.
Iodine and Pregnancy
During pregnancy and lactation, the RDA for iodine increases to ensure the proper development of the fetus and infant. While seafood, eggs, and dairy products are good dietary sources of iodine, the amount can vary depending on the source of the food. For example, cows that receive iodine feed supplements or milk that has been processed with iodophor sanitizing agents can contain more iodine. Vegan diets may also result in an insufficient amount of iodine for pregnant women who follow them.
Supplementation can help ensure that pregnant and lactating women receive the recommended daily amount of iodine. However, research on the benefits of iodine supplementation during pregnancy is limited and inconsistent. A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis of 37 articles found insufficient evidence to support recommendations for iodine supplementation during pregnancy, while a 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 studies found that iodine supplementation helped participants reach adequate intake levels during pregnancy.
Iodine and Infant Development
Research has indicated that iodine supplementation can have benefits for infants when taken early on in pregnancy. A 2021 systematic review of four randomized clinical trials and four cohort studies found that daily iodine supplementation for children with mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency can improve psychomotor development.
However, more research is needed to determine the impacts of prenatal or periconceptional iodine supplementation on children’s growth and cognitive function. The risks of excessive iodine intake include thyroid growth, higher thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations, goiter, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weak pulse, and coma. The tolerable upper intake level (UL) for iodine for those aged 19 years and older is 1,100 µg per day.
Conclusion
Iodine supplementation may have some benefits for expectant mothers and their children, but evidence is limited. Vegan diets and certain dietary restrictions make it harder for some people to obtain sufficient iodine through diet alone. Iodized salt may help ensure adequate intake, but specialty salts usually do not contain iodine. Food manufacturers usually use noniodized salt in processed foods, so consuming processed foods that contain salt does not substantially increase iodine intake. Health care providers and consumers can find more information on iodine and other supplements from the Office of Dietary Supplements.
Originally Post From https://www.healio.com/news/primary-care/20240628/food-is-medicine-the-science-behind-iodine
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