K A S H R U T . C O M_©

Low iodine putting Israel's population at high risk

March 28, 2017- from the Nutraingredients.com:

"The first nationally representative survey of iodine status in the Israeli population has found a high burden of iodine deficiency in the general population."

"Additionally, the research led by Professor Aron Troen from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that 62% of school-age children and 85% of pregnant women fall below the WHO's adequacy range – leaving them at risk of maternal and fetal hypothyroidism and impaired neurological development of the fetus."

"The International Child Development Steering Group has identified iodine deficiency as a key global risk factor for impaired child development, and the World Health Organization's recommends routine monitoring of population-based data on urinary iodine every five years as a means of sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency, noted the team."

"Iodine adequacy is defined by the WHO as a population median of 150-249 micrograms/liter for pregnant women and 100-199 micrograms/liter for school-age children."

Ed. note: Salt is iodized in the United States to prevent iodine deficiency.