Iodine, guardian of maternal health
The essentials of synthetic thyroid hormones, which play an important role in regulating metabolism and promoting the development of the foetus ‘ s brain. Iodine deficiency in pregnant women not only affects their own health, but can also lead to miscarriages, stillbirths and low mental health of newborns. In China, due to geographical and dietary differences, pregnant women in some areas may be at risk of inadequate iodine intake. It is therefore necessary for every mother-to-be to understand the main sources of food for iodine and to ensure that the daily diet is properly organized to ensure that iodine intake is adequate. The average daily need for iodine (EAR) for our adult population is 85 ug, and the recommended intake (RNI) is 120 ug, according to the recommendations of the China Nutrition Society. The daily need for iodine for pregnant women, in addition to providing their own needs, has to meet the needs of the foetus. Iodine EAR (85 μg/day) and neonatal Iodine Accumulation (75 μg/day) for adult females totalled approximately 160 μg/day. There is currently no evidence of differences in iodine requirements between gestations, resulting in 160 ug/day for pregnant women in the early, middle and later stages of EAR and 230 ug/day for RNI. A number of epidemiological findings in our country indicate subclinical thyroid decomposition when the levels of urinary iodine in pregnant women exceed 250 ug/L, so that the daily intake of iodine in pregnant women should not exceed 500 ug.
Iodine is mainly found in foods such as kelp, crayfish and eggs. However, due to geographical and dietary differences, the amount of iodine in soil and water sources is insufficient in many areas, resulting in low levels of iodine in food. Therefore, in addition to food intake, pregnant women should consider ensuring adequate iodine intake through iodized salt or iodized supplementation.In order to address the problem of iodized salt, which had been one of the countries with a high incidence of iodine deficiency, since 1996 the Chinese Government has been implementing a national salt iodization (USI) policy. The current Iodization of Iodized Salt (GB 26878-2011) standard provides for an average Iodization level of 20-30 mg/kg in salt-edible products. Iodized salt is made up of potassium iodized acid or potassium iodized at a certain percentage of the normal salt, but because Iodine is a more dynamic, volatile element, there are losses in the cooking process, with 5 grams of iodized salt per day taken by pregnant women at an average rate of 20 per cent, and Iodine 100 ug per day, which is lower than the daily Iodine requirement. Thus, in addition to iodized salt, pregnant women are required to consume other iodized foods.Seafood02 is the most abundant source of food with iodine, e.g. sea belts, purple, seafish, shellfish, etc. The iodine content of these foods is much higher than that of terrestrial foods, and it is therefore convenient for pregnant women living in coastal areas to supplement iodine with seafood.Eggs such as eggs and duck eggs are also an important source of iodine. Iodine levels in yolk are usually higher than in the omelet. Thus, pregnant women can appropriately increase their egg intake in their diet to help with iodine supplementation.Monitoring of iodine nutrition
During pregnancy, pregnant women are required to perform regular thyroid examinations to monitor iodine nutrition. If inadequate or excessive iodine intake is found, dietary or supplement intake should be adjusted in a timely manner.
Nutritional intake of pregnant women is related to the health of two generations. It is the responsibility of each mother-to-be to effectively prevent the risks associated with iodine deficiency or overdose and to promote the healthy growth and intellectual development of the next generation by rationalizing the daily diet. Let us work together in scientific nutrition management to build a healthy nutritional line for every pregnant woman and for the new life that is about to come.
