Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:47 am
Caroll, good question ... worth bumping up to the top so we can hopefully get some more discussion.
In areas where there is little iodine in the diet—typically remote inland areas where no sea foods are eaten—iodine deficiency can give rise to goiter and cretinism, which results in developmental delays and other health problems. Iodine deficiency is the leading cause of mental retardation, producing typical reductions in IQ of 10 to 15 IQ points. It has been speculated that deficiency of iodine and other micronutrients may be a possible factor in observed differences in IQ between ethnic groups.
Because iodine is hard to come by for populations not consuming sea foods (including seaweed, which is an excellent source), many countries have mandated or encouraged its supplementation in common table salt. That is why much of the salt we purchase in the supermarket is labeled "iodized salt".
Iodine deficiency is a real problem affecting an estimated 2 billion people world-wide and it is not just confined to 3rd world countries where iodine might not yet be added to salt. What concerns me as far as a vegan diet is concerned, is that many of us are health conscious and are trying to limit our intake of salt. Unlike meat which is often heavily doused in salt to make it palatable, veggies tend to be very low in sodium and high in potassium. I have a bit of a problem with low blood pressure (hypotension). This diet tends to make it even lower. So I make sure I don't forget the salt, especially during summer months.
We tend to stress that a plant-based diet is sufficient, and no supplementation is needed except for vitamin B12. Should we also be supplementing iodine? I know I don't eat a lot of seaweed. I probably get sufficient iodine from salt, but I'm sure many of us do not.
Any thoughts on this Jeff?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080204090923.htm
http://www.iccidd.org/pages/iodine-deficiency/faqs.php
http://www.vrp.com/articles.aspx?page=LIST&ProdID=1781&qid=&zTYPE=2
In areas where there is little iodine in the diet—typically remote inland areas where no sea foods are eaten—iodine deficiency can give rise to goiter and cretinism, which results in developmental delays and other health problems. Iodine deficiency is the leading cause of mental retardation, producing typical reductions in IQ of 10 to 15 IQ points. It has been speculated that deficiency of iodine and other micronutrients may be a possible factor in observed differences in IQ between ethnic groups.
Because iodine is hard to come by for populations not consuming sea foods (including seaweed, which is an excellent source), many countries have mandated or encouraged its supplementation in common table salt. That is why much of the salt we purchase in the supermarket is labeled "iodized salt".
Iodine deficiency is a real problem affecting an estimated 2 billion people world-wide and it is not just confined to 3rd world countries where iodine might not yet be added to salt. What concerns me as far as a vegan diet is concerned, is that many of us are health conscious and are trying to limit our intake of salt. Unlike meat which is often heavily doused in salt to make it palatable, veggies tend to be very low in sodium and high in potassium. I have a bit of a problem with low blood pressure (hypotension). This diet tends to make it even lower. So I make sure I don't forget the salt, especially during summer months.
We tend to stress that a plant-based diet is sufficient, and no supplementation is needed except for vitamin B12. Should we also be supplementing iodine? I know I don't eat a lot of seaweed. I probably get sufficient iodine from salt, but I'm sure many of us do not.
Any thoughts on this Jeff?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080204090923.htm
http://www.iccidd.org/pages/iodine-deficiency/faqs.php
http://www.vrp.com/articles.aspx?page=LIST&ProdID=1781&qid=&zTYPE=2