Development of databases with iodine in foods and dietary supplements

Authors: ERSHOW, ABBY - National Institutes Of Health (NIH); SKEAFF, SHEILA - University Of Otago; MERKEL, JOYCE - National Institutes Of Health (NIH); Pehrsson, Pamela

Submitted to: Nutrients
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/10/2018
Publication Date: 1/18/2018
Citation: Ershow, A., Skeaff, Merkel, J., Pehrsson, P.R. 2018. Development of databases with iodine in foods and dietary supplements. Nutrients. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10010100.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10010100

Interpretive Summary: Iodine is an essential micronutrient required for normal growth and development, thus an adequate intake of iodine is particularly important in pregnant and lactating women, and throughout childhood. Low levels of iodine in the soil and groundwater are common in many parts of the world, often leading to diets that are low in iodine. Widespread salt iodization has eradicated severe iodine deficiency, but mild-to-moderate deficiency is still prevalent even in many developed countries. Knowledge about all sources of dietary iodine, including foods, beverages, water, salts, and supplements, is important for understanding patterns of iodine intake and for developing strategies to improve intake. This paper discusses the need for well-constructed databases on the iodine content of foods, beverages, and dietary supplements; factors that should be considered when developing such databases; and how the data might be used when considering the iodine intake and status of individuals and populations. We also describe the availability of iodine databases worldwide, as well as current efforts in iodine database development in the United States and the use of iodine composition data to develop food fortification policies in New Zealand.

Technical Abstract: Iodine is an essential micronutrient required for normal growth and development, thus an adequate intake of iodine is particularly important in pregnant and lactating women, and throughout childhood. Low levels of iodine in the soil and groundwater are common in many parts of the world, often leading to diets that are low in iodine. Widespread salt iodization has eradicated severe iodine deficiency, but mild-to-moderate deficiency is still prevalent even in many developed countries. Knowledge about all sources of dietary iodine, including foods, beverages, water, salts, and supplements, is important for understanding patterns of iodine intake and for developing strategies to improve intake. This paper discusses the need for well-constructed databases on the iodine content of foods, beverages, and dietary supplements; factors that should be considered when developing such databases; and how the data might be used when considering the iodine intake and status of individuals and populations. We also describe the availability of iodine databases worldwide, as well as current efforts in iodine database development in the United States and the use of iodine composition data to develop food fortification policies in New Zealand.