how 'fancy' salts and other dietary changes might be causing this old health issue to resurface
researchers worry that iodine deficiency is making a comeback as people ditch table salt for kosher, pink himalayan and other salts
3 minute read
though people's diets contain a lot of salt, it's not iodized, leading to unintended health consequences.
himanshu sharma/afp via getty images
while you might not give much thought to whether or not you’re getting enough iodine, the trace mineral is crucial. it plays an important role in various bodily functions, such as regulating metabolism and supporting brain development. as with scurvy, seemingly a relic of a bygone era rearing its head once again, doctors are concerned that iodine deficiency is making a comeback.
“people have forgotten why there’s iodine in salt,” elizabeth pearce, an endocrinologist and epidemiologist specializing in thyroid disorders at boston medical center, told the associated press.
since 1949, the government has mandated that the mineral be added to table salt to compensate for canada’s iodine-deficient soils. today, the gourmet salt trend has taken over, with many households passing on iodized table salt. fleur de sel, kosher, pink himalayan and sea salt are mainstays of the modern kitchen — none of which have as much iodine as table salt. and though diets rich in processed foods are high in sodium, it isn’t iodized either.
“manufacturing has changed, and people’s diets have changed. we’re starting to see iodine deficiency again,” anna banerji, a pediatrician at unity health toronto, told cbc.
advertisement
according to a 2022 study published in nutrients, roughly 12 per cent of canadians have moderate to severe iodine deficiency, which can lead to irreversible developmental delays, goitre and hypothyroidism. the researchers, led by stellena mathiaparanam at mcmaster university, noted that public health recommendations to curb salt intake and changes in diet, such as lower dairy consumption, could be inadvertently contributing to the deficiency.
a new study published in the april issue of the journal of trace elements in medicine and biology suggests that most quebeckers don’t meet iodine requirements without supplementation during pregnancy.
because iodine plays a vital role in developing bones and brains, researchers are most concerned about deficiencies in pregnant and breastfeeding women and newborns. however, as the associated press reports, instances of iodine deficiency in children are small but growing.
“this needs to be on people’s radar,” monica serrano-gonzalez, a brown university doctor, reportedly said.
iodine is added to table salt and is found naturally in some foods. fish, eggs, milk and other dairy products are good sources. white fish, such as haddock or cod, tends to contain more iodine than oily species. many plant-based milks, such as almond and soy, can be low in iodine. however, some makers fortify their products. for example, oatly oat milk is fortified with iodine, but earth’s own isn’t.
advertisement
“you only need very small amounts of iodine for good health,” notes the dietitians of canada. since our bodies don’t make it, iodine must come from our food, whether you choose to season it with iodized table salt or not.
health canada recommends consuming 220 micrograms (mcg) of iodine per day during pregnancy and 209 mcg when breastfeeding. a 75-gram portion of cod or haddock (87 mcg), two large eggs (48 to 52 mcg), a medium potato with the peel (52 mcg) and a cup of cottage cheese (65 mcg) or a three-quarter cup of plain yogurt (58 mcg) would get you there and then some. people 14 and older should consume 150 mcg per day.
it is possible to get too much iodine. health canada lists an upper limit of 1,100 mcg for adults, pregnant or otherwise. according to the american national institutes of health, seaweed, such as kelp, kombu, nori and wakame, is “one of the best sources.” because brown seaweeds such as kelp contain high levels of iodine, the british dietetic association recommends eating them no more than once a week — especially during pregnancy. since seaweed iodine levels vary widely, the association doesn’t recommend it as a source to meet your daily minimums.
our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our cookbook and recipe newsletter, cook this, here.
share story
