Benefits And Risks Of Iodine You Never Knew | How Much, When, And Why
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Thyroid gland
Brain development: Iodine is essential for brain development, both before birth and in early childhood. Deficiency in iodine can lead to intellectual disability.
Pregnancy: Pregnant women need more iodine than usual to support the development of their baby’s thyroid gland and nervous system.
Fetal development: Iodine deficiency during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects, such as cretinism, a condition that results in intellectual disability, short stature, and other problems.
Here are some other potential benefits of iodine:
May help treat fibrocystic breast disease: Some studies suggest that iodine may help to reduce breast pain and tenderness in women with fibrocystic breast disease.
Disinfecting water: Iodine can be used to disinfect water in emergencies.
Protection from nuclear fallout: Potassium iodide, a specific type of iodine, can be used to protect the thyroid gland from the harmful effects of radioactive iodine in the event of a nuclear accident.
It is important to note that most people get enough iodine from their diet. However, iodine deficiency can be a problem in some parts of the world where people do not consume enough iodized salt or other iodine-rich foods. If you are concerned about your iodine intake, talk to your doctor.