Salt versus Iodine Consumption

This is a bit different from my normal Tuesday post, but I thought it was important to share and this was the best place to share.


I received an email from the Self Nutrition Data news.  It contained a very interesting article about the reduction of iodine in the average American diet. The article explained that although sodium consumption has gone up, iodine consumption has gone down. Much of this is sue to the increase consumption of package foods, but the reduction of adding salt to cooking. The sodium in packaged foods does not contain iodine like table does.

In my own personal cooking I have switched to natural sea salt, however while researching this topic I have discovered two things 1. sea salt does not contain enough iodine for body (come on now the label does warn us-it is stating the truth) and 2. iodine is important for a healthy thyroid, a good metabolism, and the prevention of birth defects.

An iodine deficiency can be linked with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, frustration and lower IQ, physical issues such as dry skin, constipation,weight gain and fatigue.

A 1/4 teaspoon of iodized salt contains 95 micrograms of salt. Depending on age 1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon of iodized salt will contain your daily requirement. According to A to Z of Health, Beauty and Fitness here are the daily requirements of iodine:

Infants: 40- 50 micrograms, Children 1-3: 70 micrograms, ages 4-6: 90 micrograms, ages 7-10: 120 micrograms, ages 11- adult: 150 micrograms, pregnant women: 175 micrograms and breastfeeding women need 200 micrograms a day.



Disclaimer and legal jargon: This is information I have come across and passed along because I find it interesting. It is by no means intended to diagnosed or treat a condition or illness. Do not change your diet or follow any advice in this article without contacting your doctor or health professional.