Iodized Table Salt May Be Low In Iodine, Raising Health Concerns

Science Daily ^ | 2-8-2008 | American Chemical Society

[blam]

Iodized Table Salt May Be Low In Iodine, Raising Health Concerns

A new study suggests that iodized salt may be low in iodine, raising health concerns. (Credit: Courtesy of the American Chemical Society)

ScienceDaily (Feb. 8, 2008) — Amid concern that people in the United States are consuming inadequate amounts of iodine, scientists in Texas have found that 53 percent of iodized salt samples contained less than the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended level of this key nutrient. Iodized table salt is the main source of iodine for most individuals, they note in a new study.

Purnendu K. Dasgupta and colleagues point out that iodine intake has been decreasing in the United States for decades. The reasons include reduced use of iodine-based additives in livestock feed and bread, and public health warnings about salt's role in high blood pressure. Iodine is especially important for normal brain development in newborn infants and children, they state, noting a link between iodine deficiency and attention deficit disorder or ADD that has been suggested by other researchers.

To assess the adequacy of iodine nutrition, the researchers tested 88 samples of iodized salt and found that 47 did not meet the FDA's recommended level. In addition, amount of iodine varied in individual packages and brands of salt.

The researchers expressed particular concern about the adequacy of iodine nutrition in women who are pregnant or nursing. "If salt does supply a significant portion of the iodine intake of a pregnant/lactating woman in the United States (note that a large fraction of postnatal vitamins contain no iodine), and she is unfortunate enough to pick a can of salt that is low in iodine or in which distribution is greatly uneven, there is a potential for serious harm," the study states.

The article "Iodine Nutrition: Iodine Content of Iodized Salt in the United States" is scheduled for the Feb. 15 issue of ACS' Environmental Science & Technology. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es0719071

Adapted from materials provided by American Chemical Society, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

[goodnesswins]

I take 2 drops of Triodide every day....because my doc says if you’re on thyroid meds, you need it.

[Red Badger]

When it rains it pours..........

[blam]

Experts Urge Complete Global Access To Iodized Salt; Prevents IQ Loss And Brain Damage In Babies

[Dog Gone]

I’m okay. I salt everything about four times more than anyone I know.

I’ve seen my blood, and it looks a lot like iodine.

[3AngelaD]

If this is the case, how come we all aren’t walking around with goiters?

[ConservaTexan]

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

[John123]

How many french fries do I need to eat each day to meet the FDA requirement of Iodine?

[Elle Bee]

I use sea salt .... it seems to work for me ... is there any less iodine in sea salt than the reconstituted iodized salt?

.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I like those Japanese seaweed crackers from time to time. They have a massive dose of iodine or so I’m told.

[Slapshot68]

Also, if you spill some salt then don’t throw some over your shoulder, you’re eternally damned.

[goodnesswins]

I don’t think there is ANY iodine in Sea Salt....unless it says it’s added....

[AnAmericanMother]

I eat lots of sushi, so I ought to be o.k. . . . . the seaweed that they use to wrap the rice in crab/salmon/shrimp rolls is just PACKED with iodine.

The wasabi tastes good too, and it's loaded with Vitamin C.

[Vinnie]

I use sea salt also. Always thought it was higher in iodine than regular salt but....
from Wiki...
Because sea salt generally lacks high concentrations of iodine[4], an element essential for human health [5], it is not necessarily a healthful substitute for regular iodized table salt[6], which is usually supplemented with the element, unless another source of dietary iodine is available.

Iodized forms of sea salt are now marketed to address this concern. However, unrefined sea salt contains many important minerals that regular iodized table salt does not contain.

[blam]

"When It Rains It Pours

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1914
The original Morton Salt Umbrella Girl appeared in 1914 with the now familiar slogan 'When It Rains It Pours".

1941
The fourth Morton Salt Umbrella Girl was introduced to America in 1941. While our boys were off to war, our little girl was serving at home.

1968-Today
Since her most recent makeover in 1968, the current Umbrella Girl has been with us through moon launches, hip-hop and the growth of the Internet.

[Minn]

is there any less iodine in sea salt than the reconstituted iodized salt?

Is there any?

[Dog Gone]

I use sea salt .... it seems to work for me ... is there any less iodine in sea salt than the reconstituted iodized salt?

You're gonna die.

[CGASMIA68]

whadah bout “Kosher Salt”..its all homie here uses?

[CGASMIA68]

not to mention the parasites.ummmmm

[CholeraJoe]

Obviously of no clinical significance unless everyone in Texas is looking like this: