Why Is Iodine So Important?

Globally, an estimated 2 billion people don't get adequate amounts of iodine in their diet, putting them at risk of iodine deficiency. Even though iodine is only needed in trace amounts, deficiency is common because iodine isn't naturally abundant in most food supplies. Our bodies can't produce iodine on their own, so it has to come from the food we eat — primarily seafood and dairy. With the rise of vegetarian and vegan diets, more people are falling short of their dietary iodine needs.

The Role of Iodine in the Body

Iodine is especially important for normal thyroid function. Roughly 70–80% of the iodine in your body is used by the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones, which support:

• Normal metabolism
• Regulation of body temperature
• Healthy growth and development in children
• Normal reproductive health
• Healthy muscle and nerve function
• Normal heart rate

Iodine and Brain Development

Iodine deficiency is recognized by public health authorities as a leading preventable cause of impaired brain development globally, particularly when deficiency occurs during infancy. Iodine needs increase during pregnancy and breastfeeding, since infants rely on their mother's iodine intake for healthy development. Public health research has associated inadequate iodine during pregnancy and infancy with:

• Below-average cognitive development
• Higher rates of goiter later in life
• Reduced intellectual and motor performance
• Increased risk factors during pregnancy

Iodine Fortification

Because the body can't produce iodine, more than 70 countries have adopted salt iodization programs to help address dietary gaps. However, iodized salt is typically only found in table salt sold in retail packaging — most processed and restaurant foods use non-iodized salt, so fortification alone doesn't guarantee adequate intake for everyone.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This page is provided for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider about your individual iodine needs.