Iodine deficiency is on the rise in industrialized countries

( Natural News ) A lot has been done to curb iodine deficiency in many areas worldwide, but a recent study showed that cases of low maternal iodine levels have been identified in areas that were previously known to be iodine-sufficient. The findings of the study, published in the journal Nutrients , raised some concern on the so-called “re-emergence” of iodine deficiency, especially in industrialized countries. This also puts the spotlight on its possible impacts on public health, as well as the need for supplementation programs. Researchers from the University of Surrey in the U.K. and the Hospital Riotinto in Spain observed the effects of maternal iodine deficiency in different stages of child development – during pregnancy, lactation, and the first two years of life. They observed that iodine deficiency could lead to cognitive consequences such as impaired speech development, learning, and reading skills. The negative cognitive outcomes caused by iodine deficiency also led to an increase in behavioral disorders. This was associated with abnormal serum thyroid concentrations during the early stages of pregnancy. “Iodine is most critical in the early stages of development, as the fetal brain is extremely dependent on iodine supply and cannot be replaced by any other nutrient,” explained study co-author Dr. Ines Velasco of the Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit of Hospital Riotinto . “So an adequate iodine intake in pregnancy is needed to achieve optimal fetal neurodevelopment.” Based on laboratory studies, iodine deficiency can lead to “irreversible disturbances in the cellular structure of the brain’s cerebral cortex,” according to researchers. These disturbances can result in abnormal migration of neurons and potentially interfere with cognitive development. (Related: Iodine May Be the Critical Mineral for Weight Loss, Energy and Beauty .) Sponsored solution from CWC Labs: This heavy metals test kit allows you to test […]

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