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Vitamin Spotlight: Iodine

March 30, 2016

Iodine is most commonly associated with thyroid function. But the benefits and relationship of iodine to the body go beyond the thyroid. Iodine is so critical to the functioning of the body that manufacturers add it to foods to increase consumption of this mineral.

What are the Benefits of Iodine?

Iodine is a micronutrient that is required by our bodies for normal thyroid function. The thyroid needs iodine to produce hormones that regulate metabolism and other processes, including protein synthesis. Iodine is also necessary for proper bone and brain development of both babies in utero and infants.1 In addition, iodine appears to play a role in immune response.1 Because of the role iodine plays in fetal development, it’s important for women who are pregnant to get the recommended amount of iodine each day.

How Much Iodine Do You Need?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that pregnant or lactating women consume 150 mcg of iodine each day.2 These women require more iodine than the average adult because of their increased thyroid-hormone production, renal losses and the iodine requirements of their growing babies.3

Which Foods Contain Iodine?

Our bodies do not naturally produce iodine, so people must consume iodine from food sources or supplements. Dairy products, seafood and some bread contain iodine. Potatoes, shrimp and cod are all good natural sources of iodine. However, many people add iodine to their diets just by salting their food. Since 1924, iodine has been added to salt, particularly table salt (not all sea salts contain added iodine). Iodine was originally added to help reduce goiter, a condition where the thyroid gland becomes enlarged.

Prenatal Vitamins with Iodine

Iodine used to be very prevalent in the average American’s diet.  However, recent dietary trends (like vegan or vegetarian diets) and the removal of iodized salts from breads and other foods have made it harder for women to consume the recommended daily amount of iodine. The Prenate® Vitamin Family can help fill gaps in nutrition, and offers nutritional support for mothers and their babies for every step of pregnancy and after delivery. Ask your doctor if the Prenate® Vitamin Family is right for you. For your convenience we’ve provided links to the prenatal vitamins with iodine that the Prenate® Vitamin Family offers:

Connect with Prenate®

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

WARNING: Ingestion of more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA) per day has been shown to have potential antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and International Normalized Ratio (INR). Administration of omega-3 fatty acids should be avoided in patients taking anticoagulants and in those known to have an inherited or acquired predisposition to bleeding.

This site and its contents are an information resource only, and are neither intended to nor should be used in replacement of your doctor or other prescribing professional’s medical guidance, recommendations or advice. Neither this site nor its information should be used or relied upon for any diagnostic, medical, treatment, nutritional or other purpose. All aspects of pregnancy, including whether pregnancy is right for you, and the nourishment and care of your child, should be made with your doctor and other appropriate medical professional, and in consideration of your and your child’s particular medical history. Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Avion”) makes no representation, warranty or other undertaking that this site or its information are appropriate for you or your child’s specific needs or issues, and further expressly disclaims all damages, losses, injuries or liability whatsoever incurred or alleged to have been incurred in consequence of your reliance on the information on this site. Avion does not endorse any test, procedure, treatment, remedy, therapy, cure, nutritional regimen, method or other activity or undertaking that you and/or your doctor or other medical professional may elect or recommend. By visiting this site you agree to these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you have read and understand the same. These terms and conditions, together with any information on this site, may be amended, restated or otherwise changed from time to time and at any time by Avion within the sole, absolute and uncontrolled exercise of its discretion. You acknowledge and agree that Avion has no duty or obligation to keep you informed of any amendments to, restatements of or other changes to these terms and conditions or this site, and that you are solely and exclusively responsible for apprising yourself of the same.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

WARNING: Ingestion of more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA) per day has been shown to have potential antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and International Normalized Ratio (INR). Administration of omega-3 fatty acids should be avoided in patients taking anticoagulants and in those known to have an inherited or acquired predisposition to bleeding.

This site and its contents are an information resource only, and are neither intended to nor should be used in replacement of your doctor or other prescribing professional’s medical guidance, recommendations or advice. Neither this site nor its information should be used or relied upon for any diagnostic, medical, treatment, nutritional or other purpose. All aspects of pregnancy, including whether pregnancy is right for you, and the nourishment and care of your child, should be made with your doctor and other appropriate medical professional, and in consideration of your and your child’s particular medical history. Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Avion”) makes no representation, warranty or other undertaking that this site or its information are appropriate for you or your child’s specific needs or issues, and further expressly disclaims all damages, losses, injuries or liability whatsoever incurred or alleged to have been incurred in consequence of your reliance on the information on this site. Avion does not endorse any test, procedure, treatment, remedy, therapy, cure, nutritional regimen, method or other activity or undertaking that you and/or your doctor or other medical professional may elect or recommend. By visiting this site you agree to these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you have read and understand the same. These terms and conditions, together with any information on this site, may be amended, restated or otherwise changed from time to time and at any time by Avion within the sole, absolute and uncontrolled exercise of its discretion. You acknowledge and agree that Avion has no duty or obligation to keep you informed of any amendments to, restatements of or other changes to these terms and conditions or this site, and that you are solely and exclusively responsible for apprising yourself of the same.

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