Iodine

Iodine is an essential mineral the body needs for good health. It has many functions in the body including regulating metabolism and ensuring healthy brain development. Make sure you eat a variety of foods to help you get enough iodine from your diet.

What is iodine?

Iodine is a mineral required by the body in small amounts. It is not stored anywhere in the body so regular consumption of foods containing iodine is essential for good health. Iodine is used in the production of an important hormone in the body that regulates our metabolism.  It is also essential in the physical and mental development in babies and young children. This is why it is very important for pregnant and lactating women to ensure they have enough iodine in their diet.

Where can I get iodine?

Iodine is found in a variety of foods, as it is generally present in soil and water. Levels in soils and water vary in different parts of the country and this means the iodine levels in food vary depending on where the plants and animals have been grown or raised.

Sources of iodine include:

• Dairy foods such as milk, cheese and yoghurt
• Saltwater seafood including fish, oysters, scallops and crab
• Eggs
• Iodised bread

Fruits, vegetables and meats are usually poor sources of iodine.

Whys is iodine now being added to bread in Australia?

The iodine in Australia’s food supply is relatively low. This has lead to the re-emergence of mild iodine deficiency in some Australians. Health authorities have realised this is a problem and have taken measures to help combat it.
From October 2009, all bread (except for organic bread) will be fortified with iodised salt. This will help to increase iodine intake among the Australian population and decrease the number of people who are deficient in iodine (or at risk of becoming deficient).
Bread has been chosen as the ‘vehicle’ for fortification as bread is healthy and is widely-eaten in Australia. Iodised salt will be added to bread in place of non-iodised salt as this is an easy way to add iodine to bread without altering the bread itself.

Does anyone need more iodine?

If you don’t eat bread then you will not gain the benefits of the iodine fortification. You will still need to try and eat a variety of foods to boost your iodine intake as much as possible.
When women are pregnant or breastfeeding, their iodine requirements increase so they can pass iodine onto their babies.  Adding iodine to bread will not meet pregnant women’s requirements for iodine, so it’s important that pregnant or breastfeeding women see an Accredited Practising Dietitian or a GP for information on whether an iodine supplement is needed.
Even though it is important to get enough iodine for you and your growing child, it is important for pregnant women to follow the fish consumption recommendations for pregnant women.

Salt intake and health

Current cardiovascular disease guidelines recommend a decrease in salt intake to help make sure you stay healthy. Using iodised salt in bread to increase our intake of iodine (as a population) does not mean more salt needs to be consumed. The iodised salt being added to bread will replace the (non-iodised) salt already used in making bread.

An Accredited Practising Dietitian can help you make dietary changes to make sure you are consuming the right amount of iodine in your diet, and that your diet is healthy both before and during pregnancy.