Iodine
Iodine is a nutrient that is essential for healthy thyroid functioning. The main therapeutic benefits of iodine include;
- improving production of thyroid hormones, which are crucial for healthy growth & brain development of foetus and newborn infants
Females 19 years and older are four times more likely to have inadequate intakes of iodine than their male counterparts1.
There are limited dietary sources of iodine, including bread (except organic), seafood, dairy products & eggs.
The Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) of iodine for both men and women is the same throughout life, though requirements increase during pregnancy, per the below table2.
| Age | AI |
|---|---|
| 0-6 mths | 90µg |
| 7-12 mths | 110µg |
| Age | RDI |
|---|---|
| 1-3 yr | 90µg |
| 4-8 yr | 90µg |
| 9-13 yr | 120µg |
| 14-18 yr | 150µg |
| Age | RDI |
|---|---|
| 19-30 yr | 150µg |
| 31 -50 yr | 150µg |
| 51-70 yr | 150µg |
| >70 yr | 150µg |
| Pregnancy | RDI |
|---|---|
| 14-50 yr | 220µg |
1 4364.0.55.008 - Australian Health Survey: Usual Nutrient Intakes, 2011-12