Iodine in pregnancy: recommendations and advice

Iodine is essential for a healthy pregnancy. A lack of this mineral in a pregnant woman’s diet can lead to several risks for the baby.

In this post, we tell you everything you need to know about its importance. Iodine is a mineral nutrient found

in the human body and in food.

This chemical element is essential for the creation of maternal and foetal thyroid hormones, which regulate the development of the baby’s nervous system. According to the WHO, the World Health Organization, almost one third of school-age children worldwide are estimated to have a high level of iodine deficiency.

During the first trimester of pregnancy, the foetus cannot produce thyroid hormones, so it depends on the mother’s hormones. Therefore, at the beginning of pregnancy, the mother needs to consume more iodine.

Risks of iodine deficiency in pregnancy include premature birth,

• low birth weight, and alterations in the foetus’s nervous system. A lack of iodine may affect the child’s intelligence and IQ.
• It also increases the likelihood of hyperactivity or neurocognitive disorders, as well as infant mortality. Recommendations for iodine intake.
• A diet rich in iodine is key for the correct development of the foetus during pregnancy. Normally, an adult needs a total intake of 150 micrograms of iodine per day, compared with the 200 micrograms needed by pregnant women.

• To achieve this, you can season food with iodised salt. When cooking, it is important to remember that some techniques reduce

iodine content: boiling by around 58% and frying by around 20%.

For that reason, iodised salt should

be added at the end of preparation. You can also consume two skimmed dairy products per day and eatsea fish such as cod, turbot or perch, or seafood, once a day. Products from the sea are rich in iodine. Interestingly, people living near the sea tend

• to have higher iodine levels than average. It is advisable to avoid farmed fish, as they may be deficient in this mineral. You can also add seaweed to salads.
• Seaweed is rich in iodine, and kelp and wakame are among the most recommended options.
• It is important to remember that any nutrient in excess can be harmful. Therefore, we should not overconsume iodine in the diet. Finally, iodine supplements may be recommended if
• your doctor or healthcare specialist considers it appropriate. Keep reading other posts published on the Farmaciasdirect blog.