Iodine is a chemical element with the element symbol I and belongs to the group of halogens. Naturally, the chemical element iodine occurs in bound form in its salts. Examples of the salt forms of iodine are potassium iodide and sodium iodide.
Iodine is supplied with food and is an indispensable element for the animal and human body. Because of this it is counted among the trace elements. The German Society for Nutrition (DGE) states the daily requirement of iodine with 180 μg to 200 μg.
Pregnant women and nursing mothers should take a little more with 200-250 μg daily. For children, the DGE recommends an intake of 40-200 μg per day. However, the actual intake is lower, and it is estimated that adults consume approximately 120 μg iodine per day.
Coastal areas are rich in iodine in the form of fish and seaweed. In addition, iodine is also found in iodized table salt and in medicines such as amiodarone, an antiarrhythmic agent used to treat many cardiac arrhythmias. X-ray contrast media, which are used for example in computer tomography (CT), may also contain iodine.
Despite this, iodine deficiency is prevalent in large parts of Central Europe. This mainly affects mountain regions, but also landlocked countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 750 million to one billion people worldwide suffer from iodine deficiency.
Western and Central Europe, with more than 380 million people affected, makes a significant contribution. As a result, iodine deficiency is the most common cause of thyroid enlargement in Central Europe. The highest concentration of iodine in the human organism is found in the thyroid gland, where iodine is incorporated into the thyroid hormones thyroxine (tetraiodothyronine, T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
Since the body needs elemental iodine for this, the iodides ingested with food or with medication are converted into elemental iodine. Iodide tablets are used for the prevention as well as the treatment of thyroid diseases. Iodine salts are also administered in the form of potassium iodide or sodium iodide.
Iodide is available as tablets or coated tablets with different strengths of action. Iodide preparations require a pharmacy, but not a prescription. They should be taken after a meal with a sufficient amount of liquid.
Iodine occurs naturally in sea fish and seafood. Types of fish such as cod, redfish and plaice are regarded as particularly good suppliers of the trace element iodine. Algae can also serve as a source of iodine.
The brown algae Kelp, which is a purely natural source of potassium iodide, should be mentioned in particular. Those who do not like all this can also eat other foods containing iodine. These include dairy products, eggs and spinach. Another way to cover the minimum requirement of iodine is to use iodized table salt. In addition, foods enriched with iodized salt can also provide relief.
