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Iodine
is critical during pregnancy as the thyroid uses this mineral to make
all-important thyroid hormones which in turn ensure normal development of the
brain and nervous system of the unborn baby.
For
this reason it’s vital that pregnant women or women considering having a baby
get enough iodine.
The
thyroid acts as a ‘sponge’ for iodine and once absorbed concentrates this key
nutrient. Iodine is used to manufacture thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine
(T3). The 3 and 4 actually indicate the number of iodine molecules contained
within each hormone.
Iodine
and a healthy pregnancy
During
pregnancy the thyroid is particularly active and produces about 50% more
thyroid hormones than usual. To produce enough thyroid hormones pregnant woman
need to increase their iodine intake.
A
lack of maternal iodine intake has the potential to negatively impact on the
developing baby. There is concern that even a mild iodine deficiency could lead
to children born with a lower intelligence quotient (IQ).
Iodine
for breastfeeding mums
The
demand for iodine persists during breast feeding as this nutrient is vital for
the baby to continue to grow and develop properly. However the iodine
concentration of breast milk can be vary greatly depending on how much iodine
the mother is getting from the diet or nutritional supplements.
Declining
dietary intake of iodine
Seafood
and sea vegetables are naturally rich in iodine. Other food sources include
iodised salt and plant based foods grown in nutrient rich soil.
However
due to variable soil quality most foods grown in Australia contain only trace
amounts of iodine. This makes it difficult for pregnant and breastfeeding women
to get enough iodine through diet alone.
Due
to the important role iodine plays in pregnancy the National Health and Medical
Research Council (NHMRC) recommends a daily intake of 220 micrograms (μg)
of iodine per day for women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy. The
recommended daily intake to support ongoing development of the
newborn during breastfeeding is set at 270 micrograms (μg) per
day.
Iodine
supplements supply iodine in two main forms; potassium iodide or iodine sourced
naturally from Bladderwrack. A superior quality Bladderwrack supplement lists
the botanical name Fucus vesiculosis on the label and
guarantees a standardised amount of iodine per capsule.
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Author Bio:
Louise O’ Connor,
the author of The Natural Thyroid Diet –The 4-Week Plan to Living Well, Living Vibrantly, who
is a specialist in Thyroid Health. She is a highly regarded Australian
Naturopath and founder of Wellnesswork.
The Natural Thyroid
Diet goes beyond diet advice and offers practical and effective ways to achieve
healthy thyroid levels within just a short period of time. For more details,
Click on
The-Natural-Thyroid-Diet.com
