Abstract
Iodine is an essential micronutrient required for normal growth and neurodevelopment; thus, an adequate intake of iodine is particularly important for pregnant and lactating women, and throughout childhood. Low levels of iodine in the soil and groundwater are common in many parts of the world, often leading to diets that are low in iodine. Widespread salt iodization has eradicated severe iodine deficiency, but mild-to-moderate deficiency is still prevalent even in many developed countries. To understand patterns of iodine intake and to develop strategies for improving intake, it is important to characterize all sources of dietary iodine, and national databases on the iodine content of major dietary contributors (including foods, beverages, water, salts, and supplements) provide a key information resource. This paper discusses the importance of well-constructed databases on the iodine content of foods, beverages, and dietary supplements; the availability of iodine databases worldwide; and factors related to variability in iodine content that should be considered when developing such databases. We also describe current efforts in iodine database development in the United States, the use of iodine composition data to develop food fortification policies in New Zealand, and how iodine content databases might be used when considering the iodine intake and status of individuals and populations.
Highlights
Low levels of iodine in the soil and groundwater are common in many parts of the world, often leading to diets that are low in iodine
We describe recent progress in iodine database development and use in the United States (US) and New Zealand, and consider database applications relevant to the assessment of iodine intake of populations and individuals
The iodine content of plant crops is affected by the content of iodine in the soil, but in general, plant-based foods such as vegetables and fruits are relatively poor sources of iodine [59]
Summary
Low levels of iodine in the soil and groundwater are common in many parts of the world, often leading to diets that are low in iodine. Severe iodine deficiency is rare due to widespread salt iodization, but mild-to-moderate deficiency is still prevalent even in many developed countries [1]. Knowledge about all sources of dietary iodine, including foods, beverages, water, salts, and supplements, is important for understanding patterns of iodine intake and for planning interventions. This article will discuss the importance of well-constructed databases on the iodine content of foods and dietary supplements, the primary causes of variability in iodine content, the desirable characteristics of these databases, and their current availability worldwide. We describe recent progress in iodine database development and use in the United States (US) and New Zealand, and consider database applications relevant to the assessment of iodine intake of populations and individuals
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