Iodine in food: a balanced dose thanks to iodised salt
Iodine is an essential trace element that plays a vital role in maintaining good health. It supports the function of thyroid hormones, aids in cell metabolism, and contributes to organ growth. Ensuring adequate iodine intake is crucial for both children and adults.
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Why Iodine is Important
A deficiency in iodine can have serious health consequences:
- In babies, it may lead to physical and mental development delays.
- In adults, a lack of iodine can cause thyroid hypertrophy, which slows down cell activity and may result in fatigue, lethargy, and in severe cases, brain function impairment.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the following daily iodine intake:
- Children up to 5 years: 90 µg
- Children >12 years and adults: 150 µg
- Pregnant women: 250 µg
How to Get Enough Iodine
Iodine naturally occurs in seafood, including fish, shellfish, crustaceans, and seaweeds. However, since most people do not consume seafood daily, iodine deficiency can be common.
This is why iodised salt is recommended. By adding iodine to kitchen salt, such as MOSES® 0-1 fine sea salt, or including it in products like bread, it becomes much easier to reach the daily recommended intake.
Benefits of Iodised Salt
- Easy to use: simply replace your regular kitchen salt with iodised salt in cooking.
- Safe: there is no change in taste.
- Effective: helps prevent iodine deficiency and supports thyroid health.
Important: Keep your salt intake within the recommended limits. A maximum of 6 grams per day is sufficient for healthy iodine intake.
By making small adjustments like using iodised salt, you can ensure your diet supports thyroid function, cell health, and overall wellbeing.