Several studies have linked maternal iodine deficiency during pregnancy with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring, which range from cretinism in cases of severe iodine deficiency to mild defects in cognitive and motor development in cases of mild iodine deficiency. Read the article below to understand why iodine is important during pregnancy?
Iodine is an essential nutrient for a healthy pregnancy. Due to increased maternal thyroid hormone production, renal iodine losses, and transfer of iodine to the fetus, the requirement for iodine increases during early pregnancy. It is an essential constituent of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones help in critical periods of brain development during embryonic, fetal, and postnatal stages. Iodine deficiency can produce irreversible brain damage.
Iodine is a mineral that can be added to any food, commonly by using salt. Iodine during pregnancy helps the fetus with brain development and physical growth. People due to their change in lifestyles have shifted to sea salt and processed foods, which are not iodized. The lack of Iodine during pregnancy results in complications for both mother and the developing baby.
Benefits of Iodine during pregnancy:
Iodine is needed for normal brain and body development even after birth. Eating Iodine rich food in pregnancy is important especially during the first trimester because the developing baby’s thyroid gland is developing and is unable to produce thyroid hormone. Iodine deficiency can also lead to miscarriages, stillbirth, preterm delivery, and congenital abnormalities in newborn babies. Iodine deficiency during pregnancy is also associated with intellectual disabilities and problems with growth, hearing, and speech. Iodine deficiency is the most common preventable cause of intellectual disabilities in the world. Even mild Iodine deficiency during pregnancy may cause low intelligence in kids. It is advisable to consume 220 mg of iodine a day during pregnancy. Women pass Iodine to their babies through breast breastfeeding which helps support your newborn’s growth and development, especially the brain.
Iodine deficiency is a serious global issue and it should not be left untreated. Therefore, it is important to monitor the intake of Iodine during pregnancy. Thanks to EveryDay Salt, which has products such as EveryDay Refined Iodised Fortified Salt, EveryDay Refined Iodised Free Flow Salt, and EveryDay Refined Iodised Double Fortified Salt. EveryDay Iodized salt can be added to any food for your daily dose of nutrition required during pregnancy. Some food products that naturally contain iodine are Fish, Baked Cod, Tuna, Seaweed, Shrimp, and Dairy Products, such as Milk, Yogurt, Cheese, and Prunes.
We hope now you know why iodine is important during pregnancy? We at everydayconsumerproducts.in bring you blogs on health, nutrition, lifestyle, and wellbeing. Subscribe to our blogs to read more and stay updated when we bring a new article. Do comment on this post if you found the article helpful and informative. Happy reading!!!.
