Page 40 - Summer2009

In coastal IODINE IN PUBLIC HEALTH COMPAIGNS scientists discover the relationship of cretinism
In the past, endemic cretinism due to ZLWK ODFN RI LRGLQH DQG WK\URLG GH¿FLHQF\ 7KH
areas, the LRGLQH GH¿FLHQF\ ZDV HVSHFLDOO\ FRPPRQ LQ addition of iodine to salt or drinking water is
action of areas of southern Europe around the Alps. It credited with the reduction or elimination of
ocean waves was described by ancient Roman writers and cretinism and goiter, although cretinism still
makes iodine often depicted by medieval artists. The earliest remains a serious problem in many rural sections
Alpine mountain climbers sometimes came upon of China.
gas. Once whole villages of cretins. In the late eighteenth In coastal areas, the action of ocean waves
airborne, and early nineteenth centuries, several travellers makes iodine gas. Once airborne, iodine com-
iodine and physicians described alpine cretinism from a bines with water or air and enters the soil. Plant
medical perspective, often attributing the cause and animal foods grown on soil containing io-
combines to “stagnant air” in mountain valleys or “bad dine will take up iodine so that it becomes avail-

with water or water.” able in the food. It can also be absorbed through
More mildly affected inland areas of Europe the skin from air in seacoast areas, which may
air and and North America in the nineteenth century explain why many report improved health after a
enters the were referred to as “goiter belts.” The degree of visit to an oceanside resort, and why individuals
soil. LRGLQH GH¿FLHQF\ ZDV PLOGHU DQG PDQLIHVWHG SUL- with severe allergies to iodine risk a reaction if
marily as thyroid enlargement rather than severe they venture too close to the sea.
mental and physical impairment. In Switzerland,
where the soil is poor in iodine, cases of cretinism IODINE AND BREAST HEALTH
were abundant and even considered hereditary. Japanese women have very low rates of
As the variety of food sources dramatically in- breast cancer and consume high levels of iodine.
creased in Europe and North America and the This observation has led to the theory that high
populations became less completely dependent iodine levels in the Japanese diet, rich in seaweed
on locally grown food, the prevalence of endemic and seafood, provide protection against breast
goiter diminished. cancer and other diseases of the breast.
Only in the early twentieth century did Proponents of this theory note that today one

FOOD SOURCES OF IODINE

PLANT FOODS: Any food grown near the sea is likely to contain iodine, but especially rich sources include asparagus,
garlic, lima beans, mushrooms, strawberries, spinach, pineapple and leafy greens. Coconut products, which always grow
near the ocean, are good sources of iodine. Blackstrap molasses also provides iodine.

SEAFOOD: Iodine levels vary widely in fish and shellfish, but all seafoods contain some iodine. In published reports, cod,
haddock, whiting, oysters and mussels test high. The hepatopancreas (yellow “butter” or “mustard”) in lobster tested as
an extremely rich source and it is likely that the hepatopancreas of other saltwater shellfish would contain high levels of
iodine as well.

BUTTER: Butter from cows pastured on iodine-rich soil will contain iodine. Look for butter from farms located near the
ocean, or that have used seaweed or fish meal as a soil amendment. The cows should also be fed sea salt. The combina-
tion of iodine with selenium and vitamin A in butter make this traditional fat an ideal food for the thyroid gland.

SEAWEED: Levels of iodine in seaweed vary widely according to species and how the seaweed is dried. One study found
a huge range of 2-817 mcg iodine per 100 grams. Iodine content is reduced when seaweed is dried in the sun, and iodine
may vaporize during cooking and humid storage conditions. Some Asian seaweed dishes contain in excess of 1,100 mcg
iodine (Thyroid Oct 2004, 14(10):836-841). Seaweed contains lignans, phytoestrogens that can depress thyroid function.
This may explain why thyroid problems (except for goiter) are common among the Japanese, even though they eat a lot
of seaweed.

SALT: Five grams (one teaspoon) of unrefined sea salt, a conservative estimate of the amount typically consumed in a day,
provides only about 3 mcg iodine; iodized salt provides over 1,500 mcg iodine per five grams. The FDA’s Tolerable Upper
Intake Level (UL) for adults is 1,100 mcg per day; thus, it is possible to greatly exceed the UL by using iodized salt.
38 Wise Traditions SUMMER 2009