Iodine supplementation improves children’s intellect
Reported September 11, 2009
Daily iodine supplementation may improve cognition in mildly iodine deficient children, new NZ research suggests.
Iodine has long been linked to brain development and previous Australian studies have indicated that around 50 per cent of Australian children could suffer from a mild to moderate iodine deficiency, with up to 70 per cent of Victorian children being identified as iron deficient.
“Iodine is essential for the synthesis of the thyroid hormones for normal growth and development, particularly of the brain. What this research shows us is that iodine influences cognitive function and is essential for normal brain development,” said Sheila Skeaff, a co-author of the study and senior lecturer in the Department of Human Nutrition at the University of Otago.
“Previous intervention studies have shown improvements in the cognitive function of moderate and severely iodine deficient children. However, to our knowledge, up until now, this has not been investigated in children who are mildly iodine deficient,” she said.
In reviewing the study, which was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, leading Australian endocrinologist and iodine expert Professor Creswell Eastman said the new research was vital in the ongoing battle against iodine deficiency.
“This is groundbreaking research. What is significant is that this is the first time we can clearly show that iodine supplementation benefits the average mildly iodine deficient child,” Prof Eastman said.
“Everyday children, many of whom are mildly iodine deficient, stand to benefit from improved cognitive function and school performance – simply by increasing their intake of iodine. This suggests every second child in Australia could potentially benefit from an increase in iodine intake,” he said.
Blackmores’ director of education, Pam Stone, highlighted the importance of a diet rich in iodine for children and pregnant or breast-feeding women, or supplementation where this was not possible. Good sources of iodine include seafood, dairy products and iodised salt.
“Supplementation is a positive means of ensuring you are consuming adequate levels. It’s now critical that Australians talk to their trusted health care professionals to find out about the benefits of iodine supplementation, especially in children and pregnant women,” Ms Stone said.