Iodine is a vital micronutrient that is essential for human development as well as the manufacturing of thyroid hormones. A number of strategies have been developed across the world to prevent and manage of deficiency in iodine. However, it is still a significant public health issue, especially than pregnant women. Therefore, let’s discuss the importance of the iodine.
Iodine has many important functions within the body, including
- Cells require trace minerals to transform food into energy
- Your thyroid gland utilizes the iodine in making thyroid hormones, which perform vital roles in controlling the speed of heartbeats
- It helps in digestion as well
If there isn’t enough Iodine in the body thyroid glands work more efficiently and can become enlarged or swollen. This condition is known as goiter. Other times thyroid glands produce inadequate thyroid hormones, referred to as hypothyroidism.
Iodine deficiency isn’t good for health.
- Thyroid glands that are enlarged
- A visible lump (goiter) on your neck
- Thinning and dry skin
- Gain in weight, weakness and fatigue
- Slow heart rate
- Feeling more cold
- Heavy or irregular periods
- Memory and learning difficulties
Iodine deficiency is a significant issue in women
Women are more susceptible to suffering from iodine deficiencies than males. It increases the risk of several ailments, including infertility and thyroid autoimmune diseases, thyroid or other cancers as well as high blood pressure during pregnancy and learning difficulties in children born to mothers with iodine deficiencies. Iodine deficiencies in mothers who are nursing or pregnant can be more detrimental to both the baby and the mother.
Iodine deficiency can have a negative impact on pregnant women:
The presence of severe iodine deficiencies in pregnant women is associated with miscarriages, premature births or stillbirth, as well as congenital abnormalities for their infants. Additionally, babies born to deficient in iodine mothers may suffer from intellectual disabilities and issues with growth, hearing, speech and other. The most severe type of this disorder is an underactive thyroid, which manifests as cretinism. It is a disorder which is characterised by spasticity and short size, hearing loss along with permanent brain injury though it is not common nowadays. The mild form of iodine deficiency in pregnancy could be linked to lower intelligence in children.
Iodine is vital during and after pregnancy.
Here’s how to manage the iodine shortage:
Iodine deficiency is preventable , and treatment requires a thorough evaluation of symptoms, the history and any associated conditions. Treatment options include taking supplements with iodine and using the iodized salt. Lifestyle changes can fix deficiencies in iodine. Iodine-rich foods that are good sources include eggs as well as dairy products, fish bread, meats, bread as well as seafood, nuts and Kelp, which is the sea vegetable.
Takeaway
Additionally, it is important for maternal and fetal health, iodine plays significant roles in many bodily functions. A severe Iodine deficiencies during pregnancy causes a variety of adverse consequences for the offspring and can be a major pre-empted cause of intellectual disabilities in children.
With the growing need for iodine during pregnancy supplements are recommended before conception. Iodine deficiencies can be avoided to a large extent.
