Problematics of iodine saturation among children on the vegan diet

• Published in: Časopis lékařů českých Vol. 160; no. 6; p. 237
• Main Authors: Světnička, Martin, El-Lababidi, Eva
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Czech Republic 2021
• Subjects: Child; Diet, Vegan; Humans; Iodine; výživa; iodine deficiency; thyroid gland; vegan; jodový deficit; štítná žláza; nutrition; children; vegan diet; kojení; breastfeeding; veganská strava; děti; jod; Iodine
• ISSN: 0008-7335

Plant-based diets, which includes veganism, is now rapidly gaining popularity. In the absence of the knowledge how to provide all the risky nutrients, this style of eating can lead to nutritional deficits that result in disruption of the physiological development of the child. One of the risk elements also includes iodine. The vegan population is at risk not only of developing an iodine deficiency, but also of complications from its excessive consumption, since vegan alternatives, such as these made of seaweed, contain an excess amount of it. Iodine is essential for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland, whose hormones are involved in the development of the nervous system during intrauterine and postnatal development, and in the regulation of metabolism, as well as growth in children. Several physical (thyroid palpation), imaging (ultrasound) and laboratory methods (TSH, fT3/fT4 ratio, TG level, median of ioduria) are used to investigate iodine supply. For vegans it is essential to closely monitor iodine saturation and to edify the need to adequately supplement the diet of vegan diets. A possible vegan iodine source are precisely measured doses of mineral water (Vincentka) or iodine tablets. On the contrary, uncontrolled consumption of seaweed must be strictly discouraged. In terms of iodine supply, vegans are a risk group, and pregnant and breastfeeding women and children on vegan diets deserve increased attention.